Library and Information Science Instructor Job Description, Career as a Library and Information Science Instructor, Salary, Employment

Education and Training Master’s degree

Average Salary $52,000 per year

Job Outlook Fair

Basic Job Description

Library and information science instructors work in a university and instruct students who are looking to get a degree in library science. Most library science instructors have worked as a librarian for several years before advancing to work as an instructor. They create curriculum activities and help students gain an understanding of duties performed by a librarian. Most library and information science instructors work with students in a library science Master’s program. They may also work as an advisor to students and help them find jobs after graduation.

Education and Training Requirements

Library and information science instructors have a Master’s degree in library science and have usually worked as a librarian before getting a job as a professor. Most professors obtain a Doctorate degree in library science to improve their credentials and increase their credibility to work as a professor.

Most universities will only hire a professor to work in a library science Master’s program if they have a degree in library science and have worked in the field for several years. Some will also go to school to obtain a teaching certification to improve their chance of getting a teaching job.

Getting the Job

Library and information science instructors should have experience working as a librarian and the desire to teach students who are aspiring to obtain the same career. They have a passion for the field and are willing to teach through their education and past experience to help students succeed and find a job in the field.

Instructors must have a great deal of patience and excellent communication skills, as they often work as a mentor to students and provide information for them even after they have graduated. Instructors need to be someone students enjoy communicating with and trust to help them succeed and advance in their education.

Library and information science instructors must know a variety of research and analytical skills that can be taught to students who plan to work as a librarian. They need to teach skills used to keep a library system organized and how to quickly find information that is needed by patrons. They also use organization systems such as the Dewey decimal system to keep books and documents organized, so having experience working with these organizational and research practices is important for anyone who plans to teach library and information science.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Job prospects for library information and science instructors are not expected to increase over the next several years. There is high competition for any job in the library science field, but not a large amount of universities that offer programs. Those who wish to work as an instructor or professor in library science and information will have a better chance of getting a job if they possess a Doctorate degree.

Economic hardships in cities and states are also affecting the amount of money being put toward libraries and library science education classes. In many cities or states, government spending is being cut rapidly, and libraries are one government run establishment that frequently take a cut.

Many libraries are also requiring less of a need for a librarian, as their services are beginning to use more technology to help patrons find information through a computerized system on their own. Some libraries are cutting librarian’s hours and depending on these technological advancements to help save money and give patrons the same amount of resources.

Library and information science instructors may have a difficult time finding a job due to these financial setbacks and the decreased need for librarians. Many instructors or library science majors can use their skills to find jobs working as information consultants for private corporations, nonprofit organizations, or consulting firms that are hired by businesses to research information and implement the use of technology into their workplace. The research that goes into a library science job is useful in a variety of fields.

Working Conditions and Environment

Library and information science instructors spend most of their time working in a classroom with a group of students looking to obtain their degree in library science. They will create assignments and curriculum schedules that meet criteria for a library science degree, and work outside of the classroom to grade assignments and come up with new projects or requirements for the class.

Library and information science instructors work a variety of hours. College courses are taught all hours of the day and there are even occasional classes that take place on Saturday or Sunday. Most instructors are allowed to choose the best time for their class to take place, particularly those who also work as a librarian or hold another job related to the field. Instructors also spend time working outside of the classroom to grade papers, create new assignments and develop other classroom plans. Instructors also have the advantage of having holiday breaks off from teaching, as well as summer depending on whether or not they teach courses during that time.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary for a library and information science instructor can vary significantly depending on several factors. Instructors who hold a Doctorate degree in library and information science will make significantly more than one who only holds a Master’s degree. The average salary is approximately $52,000 per year, which is not significantly more than the average salary for a librarian. The ultimate goal for a library science instructor is to obtain tenure status, where they no longer hold the risk of being terminated from their position. Instructors and professors who have worked for a school for several years will usually qualify as tenure depending on their teacher evaluations and statistical data created by student success rate and overall grade point averages of students who have taken this instructors classes.

Most library science instructors and professors also receive secure benefits from their employer such as health insurance, vacation time and sick leave allowance. Instructors and professors usually receive salary bonuses and increased benefits according to how long they have worked for a university.

Where to Go for More Information

NCCU School of Library and Information Sciences
North Carolina Central University
PO Box 19586
1801 Fayetteville Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 530-6485
http://www.nccuslis.org

Association for Library and Information Science Education
65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 795-0996
http://www.alise.org