Today, collections in public libraries can include books, magazines and newspapers, CD-ROMs, music CDs, Web sites and resources, videos, and DVDs. The librarian will find and read reviews, and use his or her professional judgement to determine which items to purchase. It is a rare library that has no space or budgetary restrictions, so these kinds of decisions must be made on a regular basis. See the Acquisitions and Weeding links for more on collection maintenance. In order to perform the job of a public librarian efficiently, it is essential to remain current and informed on the latest developments in the library profession.
Professional development is a constant challenge for most public librarians.
Librarians must make time to attend workshops and read industry journals to keep learning new skills and discover new resources. See the article Current Awareness for Information Professionals for resources for keeping current. Outreach Many public librarians are responsible for outreach in the community. Used under License.