The health science librarian, or medical librarian, helps health
professionals access the most current information available on a plethora
of medical topics. They are responsible for organizing and disseminating
biomedical, scientific and clinical, as well as general information to
staff in a health care delivery or educational setting. Health science
librarians are in charge of arranging information resources such as texts,
CD-ROMs, journals, and electronic databases. They may also offer technical
services such as selection of book titles, journals and audiovisuals,
cataloging, and acquisitions. They can also produce the most current
bibliographies on almost any medical or health related subject. Other
activities that health science librarians are involved in include
conducting research, writing for publications, and writing abstracts. They
are also able to access national networks that allow them to locate books
and journals in libraries all over the country. Medical librarians,
especially in larger institutions, may have faculty status or serve on
administrative committees within their employing institution. An
individual interested in this field should be highly organized, detail
oriented, and have advanced technological skills.
Work Environment:
Most health science librarians work in medical, nursing, or allied health
schools. They may also be employed in hospitals, government agencies,
pharmaceutical companies, and other medical-related corporations that
require the organization and expertise of a qualified medical librarian.
High School Preparation:
Students interested in pursuing a career as a health science librarian
should take high school courses in biology, algebra, computer skills,
chemistry, government, psychology, sociology, typing, data processing,
English, office procedures, health occupations/medical professions
education, foreign languages, anatomy, history, and literature.
College Requirements:
Individuals interested in becoming a medical librarian must complete a
4-year baccalaureate program in any discipline they choose. The most
common majors for health science librarians include biology, library
sciences, management, or health information. Students are encouraged to
include as many computer and technology courses in their undergraduate
work as possible. Students are also required to have a master's degree in
Library and Information Science (MLS) from an American Library Association
(ALA) accredited school. Students interested in a career as a health
science librarian should contact schools for information on admission and
course of study.
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study
click here.
Career Outlook:
Employment opportunities will be the greatest in research libraries,
especially for librarians with scientific and technical knowledge in a
field such as medicine. This job market as a whole is supposed to grow
more slowly than the average for all other profession, with a modest
growth of only only 3%-9% over the next decade. However, individuals
skilled in developing computerized library systems will have better than
average employment opportunities. Replacing librarians who leave the
profession due to retirement will continue to be a great source of
employment. There will also be opportunities in nontraditional settings,
which include information brokers, private corporations, and consulting
firms. |
|
Salary:
Average Annual Salary
$43,700
Salary Range
$34,700-$59,300*
*Depending greatly on type and location of institution
Professional Organizations:
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 944-6780
Fax: (312) 280-3255
www.ala.org
Medical Library
Association
65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601-7298
Phone: (312) 419-9094
Fax: (312) 419-8950
www.mlanet.org
Special Libraries
Association
1700 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 234-4700
Fax: (202) 265-9317
www.txla.org
Download our
Health Science Librarian brochure
here.
(Acrobat reader required)
Please read our
copyright information
before printing these brochures.
Download for free here.
|
