Reference Librarian

Job Title

Reference Librarian

Day in the Life

A reference librarian is the primary point of contact between his or her institution and the public. Reference librarians respond to questions regarding collections both remotely and in person. They assist a variety of people with varying experience researching and accessing collections. Reference librarians assist walk-in patrons, professional researchers, and internal colleagues. Other duties might include managing volunteers. They also create research guides that help researchers find important collections in the catalog. Reference librarians educate patrons on how to properly handle fragile physical collections.

Reference librarians are asked to become subject matter experts by gaining familiarity with their institution’s resources and collections. Organizational and problem-solving skills are key attributes of a skillful reference librarian. A day may include responding to email queries, working a reference desk shift, evaluating research strategies to share with a patron, writing research guides, or working on projects. Someone who loves interacting with people and who can listen attentively and respond appropriately is best suited for this position.

Experience Pathway

A reference librarian requires a master’s degree in library science or a related humanities field, which may include history or archival studies. Some experience working in a library is also of benefit. Participation in global, national, and local professional organizations is an advantage. Foreign language skills are extremely helpful.

Thoughts from Our Reference Librarians

“I was drawn to reference work because I love the adventure of doing detective work to help someone find their answer or the correct research path they need to follow. Building connections between people and information, ideas, and stories helps them to learn and grow, and I get to learn and grow in the process as I aid them in their research.”