Employment opportunity for librarians is static in the Auckland region at present, and is expected to continue this way over the next five years. Employment opportunity has been affected by the drive among libraries and organisations that have libraries to cut back on staffing in order to economise. Turnover of staff in the occupation is low and is expected to continue to be so over the next five years. Librarians work mainly full-time hours and there are more females than males employed in the occupation. This gender trend is expected to continue over the next five years.
Most employers report the employment of librarians has been declining.
This is due to the restructuring of state owned enterprises, causing some libraries to close or have major cut backs in staff. For example, the National Library of New Zealand, based in Wellington, has undergone major change with thirty librarians being made redundant this year. Staff turnover is low and will most likely remain so in the near future. The majority of librarians are females employed on a full-time basis. This is not expected to change in the future.