Career Exploration: Being a Librarian

 

Choosing a career path can be extremely intimidating to a young person. In this Career Exploration series, I interview many different fields of study to help students explore the possibilities as they pursue a career path.

Meet Amanda Rodrigues, Director of the Lumberton Public Library located in Lumberton, Texas.

Why did you choose this career path?

I chose to be a librarian because I strongly believe in the power of books and self-education and enrichment. Books can expand minds, ideologies, and imaginations!

What kind of education, training, or background does your job require?

A librarian often wears many hats that expand beyond books. Librarians are managers, accountants, teachers, etc. Because of this, there are many different education and training paths librarians may take. Mostly, librarians obtain a Master’s Degree in Librarian Science, and are also required to have 10 hours of continuing education annually. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in this field?

Librarians must be analytical and pay special attention to details, work well with all demographics and socio-economic backgrounds, and have an open-mind to embrace all ideologies, regardless if they personally align with your own!

What does a typical work day look like for you?

A typical work day will include managing budgets and employees, ordering books, keeping up with federal and state policies, notarizing documents, processing U.S. passports, and helping patrons with everything from government benefit signups, to tax forms, to voter’s registration.

What do you like most about your work?

I enjoy the changing dynamics and constant variety of duties and people we interact with on a daily basis.

What do you like least about your work?

Sometimes working with the public can be challenging!

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career in your field?

Despite some thinking that the technological world will be the library’s demise, I believe libraries will always be the backbone of communities. Modern libraries are not just about books anymore, and offer endless services to the public, often times for free! If you think becoming a librarian will ensure a career of quiet, uneventful days – think again – it is much more rewarding and adventurous than anyone can imagine!

Happy Homeschooling