The libraries and archives industries are evolving rapidly in the digital age. They offer a wide range of opportunities for graduates covering the public, commercial, and academic sectors. Working in this field, you’ll typically be involved with the management of different sorts of records. Employers in the UK include national archives & libraries, public libraries, museums [link to museums page], galleries, education institutions, charities, and businesses.
You’ll need excellent attention to detail with good IT and organisational skills. It’s also vital to have a real interest in the area you are considering, whether that’s preserving important historical documents, managing records, or providing a public service.
Libraries can be found in various contexts catering to many different interests. Roles include:
- Public librarian
- Academic / research librarian
- Learning resource manager
Responsibilities usually involve managing books and other multi-media resources – and making these accessible to a particular audience. Salaries are relatively low (starting at £17-£22k for trainees), and average salaries for an experienced librarian tend to be higher in academic or research libraries. Spending cuts have impacted the pay and availability of public library roles. However, salaries for senior librarians and directors can span £38-£93k depending on the position.
Archives similarly encompass diverse types of records, with roles found in large historic or cultural collections but also in commercial and other contexts. Roles include:
- Archivist
- Curator
- Records manager
As an archivist, you’d be responsible for the acquisition, maintenance, and accessibility of documents and other materials. Salaries for support roles start at £23k but will increase with experience and management responsibilities. Senior managers should start at £61k.
A logical approach to your work, attention to detail and processes, good communication and customer-facing skills and the ability to learn new and emerging technology and IT packages are all essential. For those wishing to work in heritage and museum archives, you will need to demonstrate a genuine interest in the preservation of records.
A common misconception is that working in libraries and archives is a solitary profession. Many of these roles are about communicating about the collections to the general public, library/archive users, and funders/sponsors.
Gaining some experience through short work experience placements or volunteering is important. The ARA curates a list of short and long-term placement and shadowing opportunities in archives. College library and archive often host volunteers, whilst local council-run libraries offer a range of opportunities for you to gain relevant experience.
Speculative applications to commercial and heritage archives and libraries for summer work experience can also help you to develop the skills and insight needed to progress into Post Graduate training or traineeship.
Librarian (academic & public)
A formal qualification not always essential to start with and many begin their career as a library assistant, however a CILIP-accredited postgraduate diploma or Masters in librarianship or information science/management is normally required to progress in this career. The CILIP website lists all accredited programmes in the UK.
Archivist
Most employers will look for candidates with a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Archives & Records Association (ARA) and although the subject matter of your first degree does not usually matter, it can be relevant depending on the nature of the archive. There are opportunities for further development with ARA Professional Development Programme and IRMS accreditation, whilst a new Level 7 Apprenticeships are available for both.