You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Subjects include:

• library and information management
• information science
• library studies

You may need some practical experience to do a postgraduate course. You can get this through an internship during your first degree or by volunteering in a library or archive collection.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

You could start as a library assistant or data officer with an information service.

With experience, you could apply for Certification through the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and study for further qualifications while you work.

If you have a first degree, you could join an employer's graduate training scheme in librarianship and information management.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• administration skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to design activities to promote use of library resources
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

As a librarian, you could:

• catalogue print and digital resources, like books, images and journals
• deal with counter, phone and email enquiries
• plan and host events and activities for library users
• manage staff, budgets and training
• support researchers and students with access to archives and document collections
• stock take and make sure resources are stored safely and correctly
• select which new publications and online subscriptions to buy
• build close links with community groups and promote services online

You could work at a library, at a school, at a university, at a college or in a prison.