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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Librarians and media collections specialists

Librarian at a desk receiving books from library patrons.

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.

Table 1. Percentage of librarians and media collections specialists with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	17.5	82.5
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework	<20	>80
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-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

A master's degree was required for 73.5 percent of librarians and media collections specialists.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, a quiet noise exposure was present for 77.6 percent of librarians and media collections specialists. Another 22.4 percent were exposed to moderate noise, less than 0.5 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by less than 0.5 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure, and was not used by greater than 99.5 percent.

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.

Performing work in low postures was required for 37.5 percent of librarians and media collections specialists and was not required for 62.5 percent.

On average, librarians and media collections specialists spent 63.0 percent of the workday sitting and 37.0 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of librarians and media collections specialists with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Driving	7.6	92.4
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	<10	>90
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey