SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Catalog Librarian
  • Instructional Technology Specialist
  • Librarian
  • Library Media Specialist
  • Media Specialist
  • Media Technician
  • Multimedia Services Coordinator
  • Reference and Instruction Librarian

What do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists do?

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists play a crucial role in the organization, management, and dissemination of information within libraries and other information centers. They are responsible for the selection, acquisition, cataloging, preservation, and circulation of various media collections, which may include books, digital content, audio-visual materials, and other resources. These professionals utilize various technologies and methods to ensure that users can easily access diverse forms of media and information. Additionally, they may conduct training sessions for patrons on how to use library resources effectively, support educational programs, and develop outreach initiatives to engage the community. In an era of rapid technological advancement, they are also tasked with staying updated on new formats and trends in information delivery, ensuring that their collections remain relevant and valuable to their user base.

What the work actually is

  • Check books in and out of the library.
  • Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
  • Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
  • Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
  • Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Administrative Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Master's degree
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree

A normal week

  • Working with Computers
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Getting Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Data base user interface and query software Blackboard software · Database software · Microsoft Access · Structured query language SQL
  • Library software Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) databases · RCL Software Media Library Manager · Surpass management system software · WorldCat
  • Web platform development software Cascading style sheets CSS · Drupal · Hypertext markup language HTML · PHP
  • Web page creation and editing software Adobe Dreamweaver · Blogging software · Facebook · Wiki software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe Creative Cloud software · Adobe Illustrator · Adobe Photoshop · Graphics software

Tools

  • Microfiche or microfilm viewers Microfiche readers · Microfilm readers
  • Cassette players or recorders Audio tape players · High speed video duplicators
  • Public address systems Audio presentation systems · Public address PA systems
  • Overhead projectors Large screen projectors · Overhead display projectors
  • Epidiascopes Opaque projectors

Who it suits

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Questions people ask

How much do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists earn in South Africa?

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Librarians and Media Collections Specialists do?

Check books in and out of the library, Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases and Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.