51100 – Librarians
Lead statement
Librarians select, develop, organize and maintain library collections and provide advisory services for users.
Main duties
- Recommend acquisition of books, periodicals and audio-visual, interactive media and other materials for inclusion in library collection
- Provide reference services
- Select, classify, catalogue and weed library materials
- Prepare bibliographies, indexes, reading lists, guides and other finding aids
- Develop systems to access library collections
- Perform manual, on-line and interactive media reference searches to assist users in accessing library materials and arrange for interlibrary loans
- Develop taxonomies using various information and data sources
- Provide specialized programs for children, seniors and other groups
- Conduct library information and orientation training programs and tours
- Perform related administrative duties and supervise library technicians, assistants and clerks.
Employment requirements
- A master's degree in library science or a master's degree in library and information studies or a master's degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association is required.
Example job titles
art librarian · bookmobile librarian · cataloguer - library · children's services librarian · classifier - library · computer search librarian · database librarian · health librarian · reference librarian · law librarian · library consultant · library supervisor · medical librarian · music librarian · periodicals librarian · technical services librarian · scientific librarian · library coordinator · information and reference librarian · bibliographer · documentation librarian · librarian · unit head librarian · information services librarian · resource sharing and processing librarian · associate librarian · automation librarian · music librarian - broadcasting · iconographer · multimedia librarian · cybrarian · liaison librarian
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $23.08 | $41.21 | $67.90 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $24.70 | $38.96 | $53.43 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.00 | $33.77 | $50.24 |
| New Brunswick | $28.21 | $41.59 | $57.46 |
| Quebec | $27.88 | $45.64 | $51.28 |
| Ontario | $27.00 | $44.24 | $68.21 |
| Manitoba | $19.93 | $37.72 | $62.52 |
| Saskatchewan | $17.82 | $31.32 | $61.62 |
| Alberta | $26.79 | $40.88 | $52.60 |
| British Columbia | $30.00 | $38.00 | $65.93 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.