School librarians

School librarians can be found in both state and independent schools. The school library or learning centre will house books and journals alongside internet access and audio-visual materials and the librarian is responsible for promoting the use of the service and engaging with teaching and management staff to ensure this.

You’ll need to be adept at teaching information literacy skills and encouraging and assessing reader development through activities like shadowing the Carnegie Medal for children’s and young people’s fiction. Sometimes the librarian is also responsible for the virtual learning environment.

Qualifications and experience

An accredited degree or postgraduate qualification in library and information science is usually required and for some roles a teaching qualification is also beneficial.

Many employers also look for CILIP Chartership  or a willingness to work towards Chartership.

Relevant Special Interest Groups

School Libraries Group

Youth Libraries Group