Librarians and media collections specialists

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or 

private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such 

as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types 

of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and 

databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library 

materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, 

providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating 

a library's media equipment.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in 

jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for greater than 95 percent of librarians and media collections 

specialists, and basic people skills were required for less than 5 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of librarians and media collections specialists with cognitive and 

mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 76.2 23.8

Interaction with general public >99.5 <0.5

Working around crowds 4.1 95.9

Telework 3.1 96.9

Work review: Supervising others 41.2 58.8

Work review: Presence of supervisor 51.4 48.6

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 29.2 percent of 

librarians and media 

collections specialists. Prior 

work experience was 

required for 66.8 percent and 

on-the-job training was 

required for 54.9 percent.

A master's degree was 

required for 67.0 percent of 

librarians and media 

collections specialists.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where 

jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of librarians 

and media collections specialists were not 

exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 

99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme 

heat. Wetness was not present for greater 

than 99.5 percent, greater than 99.5 percent 

were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 

94.5 percent were not exposed to the 

outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to 

perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in 

some cases, duration of these activities are 

published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for 

greater than 99.5 percent of librarians and 

media collections specialists and was not 

required for less than 0.5 percent. For less 

than 5 percent of workers, keyboarding was 

seldom performed, for 51.0 percent 

keyboarding occurred occasionally, 46.5 

percent frequently, and for 1.2 percent 

keyboarding occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was 

required for 66.8 percent of librarians and 

media collections specialists and was not required for 33.2 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 76.2 percent of librarians and media collections 

specialists. On average, workers spent 58.7 percent of the workday sitting and 41.3 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of librarians and media collections specialists with physical 

demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 76.2 23.8

Driving 7.2 92.8

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 17.3 82.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey