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Introduction

Libraries are repositories of knowledge, information and entertainment. The basic aim of library is to disseminate knowledge. With the upsurge in the number of institutes in the field of learning and the intensification of research activities, the importance of libraries is also growing. This has made the librarianship attain the status of a separate discipline in the universe of knowledge. Librarianship is the profession which concerns with organising, maintenance and storage of books in a library. Librarians are the custodians of library. Librarians assist people in finding information and using it effectively in their personal and professional lives. (They help people to navigate the increasingly far-flung and voluminous world of data.)

Libraries contain books, periodicals, micro-films, videos, cassettes and slides - for education, research, reference and pleasure. Those who systematically catalogue, store and display these items are librarians. The traditional concept of a library is being redefined, from a place to access paper records or books, to one which also houses the most advanced media, including CD-ROM, the Internet, virtual libraries, and remote access to a wide range of resources.

There are different kinds of libraries depending upon the individuals to which it is catering. Various kinds of libraries are public, reference, children’s libraries and those attached to offices and institutions of both private and public. These could include a mobile lending library. There are also specialist libraries attached to the research and academic institutions that cater to  specific readers in specific subjects such as medicine, engineering, art, music, or types of books such as Braille or collections for children. 

Eligibility : Minimum qualification required to take up a course in Library Science is graduation. One with graduation can go for Bachelors degree in library science. Duration of this bachelors course is one year. Those with Bachelor degree in library science can go for Masters degree in library science which is of one year duration. One can also go for M.Phil and Ph.D in this field. There are also diploma and certificate courses

Job prospects and Career Options : Librarians are information managers. Librarians assist people in finding information and using it effectively.

Trained personnel in this field can find employment opportunities in areas like: 

1.       Public/Government libraries

2.       Universities and other academic institutions

3.       News agencies and organisations

4.       Private organisations and special libraries

5.       Foreign embassies

6.       Photo/film libraries 

7.       Information centres/documentation centers

8.       Companies and organisations with large information handling requirements

9.       Museums and galleries, which have reading rooms and research facilities

Remuneration: Salaries of librarians vary according to the individual's qualifications, experience, type, size and the nature of the hiring institutions.

Salaries of librarians vary according to the individual's qualifications, experience, type, size and the nature of the hiring institutions. Librarians with primarily administrative duties often have greater earnings. Government of India scales are higher than those of the University Grants Commission. In terms of grades- Assistant Librarians are of equal position to lecturers; Deputy Librarians to Readers; and the Librarian's position is equivalent to that of a Professor's. Average annual earnings of librarians is around Rs 100000 - 150000.

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