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

Feb 11, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Research librarians are essential to the research process, as they are responsible for multiple tasks that support and enable the research process. Firstly, research librarians acquire, organize, and maintain research material in a variety of formats. This is done by purchasing, borrowing, or licensing materials from other libraries, and developing library collections to meet the needs of the research community.

Secondly, research librarians provide advice and guidance on the selection of resources to support research. They also provide technical information about the resources available, including tutorials and demonstrations of the use of library resources. Lastly, research librarians help researchers identify and access relevant databases and other online sources of information.

In doing so, they are also able to promote the use of library resources to potential researchers. The work of research librarians is essential for successful research projects, as it enables researchers to find the information they need quickly and efficiently.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming a research librarian is to earn a bachelors degree in library science or a related field, such as information science, archival studies, or history.
Gain Experience. Many employers prefer research librarians with some experience. This means working as a library assistant, interning in a library, or volunteering in a library.
Obtain a Masters Degree. Research librarians typically need to hold a masters degree in library science, information science, archival studies, or history.
Find a Job. Research librarians can find job openings by checking job boards or online classifieds, attending job fairs, and networking with other librarians.
Develop Expertise. Research librarians should continue to build their knowledge and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in their field. This includes attending conferences, reading professional journals, and enrolling in continuing education courses.
Become Certified. Many employers prefer research librarians who have received certification from the American Library Association (ALA). Achieving certification requires passing an exam and completing continuing education hours, as well as having several years of experience working in a library.

In order to become a skilled and competent research librarian, it is essential to have a strong knowledge base in topics such as library sciences, computer applications, information analysis, and research methods. Additionally, the ability to work well with others, stay organized, and remain up-to-date on the latest technologies is invaluable. Having a passion for learning and staying informed on current trends in the library field is also an important factor in becoming a successful research librarian. With a combination of these skills, one can gain the appropriate level of expertise that allows them to excel in the profession.

You may want to check Research Lawyer, Research Physician, and Research Interpreter for alternative.

Job Description

Acquisitions Librarian: responsible for acquiring library materials, such as books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and electronic resources.
Cataloging Librarian: responsible for organizing and describing library materials in catalogs and other databases so that patrons can locate them.
Reference Librarian: provides library patrons with assistance in locating and using library materials.
Instructional Librarian: provides instruction to students and faculty on how to use library resources effectively and efficiently.
Digital Services Librarian: responsible for creating and maintaining digital collections, and providing access to digital library resources.
Systems Librarian: responsible for the maintenance of library computer systems, networks, and software applications.
Collection Development Librarian: responsible for selecting and purchasing library materials, based on the needs of the institution.
Preservation Librarian: responsible for preserving library materials through proper storage, handling, and conservation techniques.
Research Librarian: assists patrons with research projects by providing access to specialized resources and performing research tasks.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of library systems, cataloguing procedures, digital databases, and research resources.
Ability to search for, evaluate, and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Knowledge of copyright, intellectual property rights, and other legal issues related to information resources.
Ability to create and maintain complex bibliographies, indexes, and databases.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other library software programs.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Understanding of current trends in library research and information management.
Ability to work with both traditional and digital resources.

Research librarians play an essential role in the information-seeking process by providing expertise and resources that enable effective research. The most important skill for a research librarian is the ability to effectively evaluate and synthesize information from multiple sources. This requires both a comprehensive knowledge of research methods and tools as well as the ability to think critically and analyze data.

Being able to quickly identify relevant resources and evaluate their accuracy and relevance is key. having strong communication skills is important for communicating with patrons and helping them understand their research needs. Finally, research librarians must also be proficient in technology, as they must be able to use digital databases, search engines, and other online tools to locate and access information.

With these skills, research librarians are able to provide patrons with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

Research Intern, Clinical Research Associate, and Quantitative Market Research Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in conducting research?
Describe your experience in cataloguing library materials.
How do you stay organized when managing large amounts of data?
What strategies do you use to stay current with the latest technologies and trends in library research?
Explain how you would provide assistance to patrons searching for specific materials.
Describe your approach to developing a comprehensive collection of resources for a library.
How do you handle requests for information from patrons?
Describe a time when you managed a challenging project related to library research.
What strategies do you use to keep track of patron requests?
How do you handle difficult patrons or situations related to library research?

Common Tools in Industry

Online Research Databases. Online research databases are collections of documents, articles, and other data sources that can be accessed over the internet. Examples include EBSCOhost, ProQuest, and JSTOR.
Reference Management Software. Reference management software helps researchers keep track of their sources, citations, and bibliographies. Examples include EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley.
Citation Generators. Citation generators are tools that help researchers create citations for their work. Examples include EasyBib, Citation Machine, and Cite This For Me.
Digital Archives. Digital archives are collections of digitized documents and media that can be used for research. Examples include the Digital Public Library of America, Europeana, and the Internet Archive.
Academic Search Engines. Academic search engines are specialized search engines that allow researchers to find scholarly literature on a particular subject or topic. Examples include Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic Search, and CORE.

Professional Organizations to Know

American Library Association (ALA)
Medical Library Association (MLA)
Special Libraries Association (SLA)
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE)
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Society of American Archivists (SAA)
Beta Phi Mu (International Library and Information Studies Honor Society)
Music Library Association (MLA)
Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)

We also have Research Program Manager, Research Director, and Research Geologist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Bibliographic Database. A bibliographic database is an online searchable collection of references to published literature, including journal articles, books, reports, and conference proceedings.
Citation Index. A citation index is a type of bibliographic database that indexes an author's published work by the citations they receive from other authors.
Library Catalog. A library catalog is a database that lists all of the materials in a library's collection.
Subject Heading. A subject heading is a term used to describe and categorize a particular topic in a library catalog or other bibliographic database.
Thesaurus. A thesaurus is a list of related terms used for indexing or searching library catalogs, bibliographic databases, and other information sources.
Taxonomy. Taxonomy is the practice of classifying and organizing information into hierarchies according to predetermined criteria.
Metadata. Metadata is data about data, such as title, author, publisher, and date of publication, used to describe and organize information resources.
Folksonomy. Folksonomy is a type of user-generated taxonomy that uses tags and keywords to organize information resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Research Librarian?

A Research Librarian is a professional librarian who specializes in providing reference and research services to assist patrons in locating, evaluating, and using information to meet their research needs.

What skills are needed to be a Research Librarian?

Research Librarians need to have strong research, communication, and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of library resources, databases, and information technology.