How to Be Instructional Librarian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 25, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The increase in demand for Instructional Librarians is directly linked to the growth of online learning. With more and more universities and colleges switching to digital instruction, the need for highly trained professionals to provide assistance with selection, evaluation, organization, and delivery of instructional materials is becoming increasingly important. Instructional Librarians are responsible for helping educators and students navigate the digital landscape by offering library services such as research assistance, instructional technology support, and copyright guidance.

Furthermore, the need for Instructional Librarians is compounded by the rise of open educational resources, which require additional guidance to ensure their accuracy and quality. To meet this growing demand, academic libraries must invest in hiring qualified Instructional Librarians and providing them with necessary resources to help ensure student success.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become an instructional librarian, you should start by obtaining a bachelor's degree in library science, information technology, or a related field. This will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in this profession.
Participate in an Internship. Participating in an internship in an academic library is an excellent way to gain practical experience and develop your skills as an instructional librarian.
Obtain Professional Certification. Many states and organizations offer professional certification programs for instructional librarians. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge of the field.
Pursue a Master's Degree. Most instructional librarians have earned a master's degree in library science or information technology. A master's degree will give you the tools you need to be successful in this profession.
Develop Your Skills. It is important to continue developing your skills as an instructional librarian. There are many professional organizations that offer conferences, workshops, and seminars that can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in the field.
Get Hired. Once you have obtained your degree and certification, you can start looking for positions as an instructional librarian. Many employers prefer to hire individuals who have prior experience in the field. You may also want to consider joining a professional organization such as the American Library Association in order to network and find job opportunities.

The lack of instructional librarians in educational institutions can have a significant impact on the learning process. Without their expertise, students and faculty are unable to access the full range of information resources that exist for research and educational purposes. without librarians, the research process itself can be hindered as students may not be able to identify and locate relevant materials.

Furthermore, instructional librarians often provide training and instruction to students, faculty, and staff on how to effectively use library resources, and without these services, individuals may struggle to develop the skills necessary to become competent researchers. Therefore, it is clear that having skilled and competent instructional librarians is essential for creating an environment conducive to learning and research.

You may want to check Library Technician, Chief Librarian, and Library Outreach Coordinator for alternative.

Job Description

Research and Instructional Services Librarian
Reference and Instructional Services Librarian
Technology and Instructional Services Librarian
Curriculum and Instructional Services Librarian
Collection Development and Instructional Services Librarian
Outreach and Instructional Services Librarian
Digital and Instructional Services Librarian
Metadata and Instructional Services Librarian
Scholarly Communications and Instructional Services Librarian
Archival and Instructional Services Librarian

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of library catalogs and databases
Knowledge of library-related software and technologies
Knowledge of information literacy principles and learning theory
Ability to develop and deliver instructional materials
Ability to create multimedia content
Ability to provide effective research assistance
Ability to provide leadership and guidance to library staff
Ability to assess library services and programs
Ability to create and manage budgets
Ability to collaborate with faculty and other partners
Ability to stay abreast of current library trends and developments

Good instructional librarians possess a wide range of skills that enable them to effectively help patrons in their learning and research. One of the most important skills for an instructional librarian to have is the ability to think critically. Critical thinking allows librarians to evaluate the accuracy of information, think through complex problems, and develop creative solutions that can be tailored to the needs of the patron.

Furthermore, effective communication and interpersonal skills are necessary for instructional librarians to effectively communicate with patrons in order to understand their needs and provide relevant information. instructional librarians must possess a thorough knowledge of library technology and software, as well as the ability to stay up-to-date with new trends and technologies. Finally, having an understanding of pedagogical principles and best practices helps an instructional librarian create effective learning experiences for patrons.

All of these skills are essential for instructional librarians to be successful in their role and provide patrons with quality services.

Cataloging Librarian, Reference Librarian, and Digital Services Librarian are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in instructional librarianship?
How do you ensure that library resources and services meet the needs of your patrons?
How do you stay current on instruction and library trends?
What strategies do you use to promote library services and resources to faculty and students?
Describe a successful instructional program that you have implemented in a library setting.
What methods do you use to assess the effectiveness of library instruction programs?
How do you ensure that library instruction meets the needs of diverse student populations?
What challenges have you faced in providing instruction in the library?
How do you collaborate with colleagues to develop new instructional initiatives?
How would you integrate technology into library instruction?

Common Tools in Industry

LibGuides. A content management system for librarians to create and curate guides, tutorials, and other library resources. (eg: example: University of Washington's LibGuides)
LibAnswers. A customer service platform for librarians to respond to user inquiries and provide online chat support. (eg: example: University of Oregon's LibAnswers)
LibraryH3lp. A hosted live chat and text reference service for libraries. (eg: example: University of California, Davis' LibraryH3lp)
LibInsight. A data analytics platform for libraries to measure usage, circulation, and other library metrics. (eg: example: University of Maryland's LibInsight)
Library Cloud. A web-based content management system for libraries to manage and share digital collections. (eg: example: University of California's Library Cloud)
LibKey Nomad. A browser extension that provides direct access to full-text articles from a library's subscriptions. (eg: example: University of Michigan's LibKey Nomad)
Summon Discovery Service. A search engine for library collections and external databases. (eg: example: University of Minnesota's Summon Discovery Service)
Primo Central Index. A search engine for library collections and external databases, integrated with other tools such as Summon Discovery Service. (eg: example: Cornell University's Primo Central Index)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Library Association (ALA)
Special Libraries Association (SLA)
Medical Library Association (MLA)
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA)
Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE)
Canadian Library Association (CLA)
Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
Music Library Association (MLA)
Society of American Archivists (SAA)

We also have Community Engagement Coordinator, Circulation Librarian, and Special Collections Librarian jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Information Literacy. The ability to access, evaluate, and use information effectively.
Reference Services. Services provided by libraries to assist patrons with finding information and using it appropriately.
Collection Development. The process of selecting, acquiring, and organizing library materials for a given purpose.
Cataloging. The process of organizing and describing library materials in a catalog for easier access.
Research Strategies. Techniques used to locate and organize information for research projects.
Instructional Design. The process of creating educational materials that meet specific learning objectives.
Metadata. Structured data used to describe library materials, such as keywords, titles, and subject headings.
Digital Preservation. The process of maintaining digital materials over time and ensuring their access in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Instructional Librarian?

An Instructional Librarian is a librarian who specializes in providing instruction and support in the use of information resources, such as library databases and books.

What qualifications are needed to be an Instructional Librarian?

To become an Instructional Librarian, the minimum educational requirement is a Master's degree in Library Science or a related field. Additional qualifications may include experience in teaching or library instruction, knowledge of library technology, and knowledge of library research methods.

What duties does an Instructional Librarian perform?

The duties of an Instructional Librarian include designing and conducting library instruction sessions, creating learning materials and activities, providing research assistance, and developing and maintaining library resources.