Archivist job

You are nearing the end of your studies for a degree in history and are considering your options. You get a kick out of reading about history, delving into old papers and images, studying the past via photography, organizing information, and helping others learn. You are aware with the duties associated with both archivists and librarians; yet, which of these positions do you feel most drawn to?

Studying the similarities and differences between archivists and librarians, such as the educational prerequisites, the day-to-day work description, and the income range, is a crucial step to take before embarking on the path that will lead you to your ideal profession. In general, the role of a librarian is to assist customers in locating information and doing research, while the archivist's primary responsibilities include the processing, evaluation, and categorization of significant records and documents. Consequently, despite the fact that, at first glance, the two jobs seem to be relatively like to one another, the day-to-day activities associated with these positions are really extremely different. You're going to notice that each function requires a somewhat distinct set of skills, so be prepared for that.

An Overview for Archivists

The fundamental responsibility of an archivist is to maintain the integrity of significant records and papers. The majority of archivists are employed by libraries; however, some work for the government, some for museums or colleges, and still others for hospitals. Because essential records need to be maintained by almost every kind of business and institution, archivists may choose to work in a wide variety of settings.

Documents and records that are collected by their organization are evaluated, processed, and cataloged by archivists in addition to being stored. This indicates that the archivist evaluates the significance of each item, employs a method to record the item's arrival at the institution, and decides how the document should be arranged inside the institution. Archivists need to have a keen eye for detail and be able to think of creative ways to organize information in order to assist other professionals in making their organizations more effective.

Pay and Prospects in the Archivist Profession

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States of America reported that the median wage for an archivist in the month of May 2018 was $48,400. Working as an archivist is a rewarding profession that offers many opportunities. According to projections made by the BLS, employment opportunities for archivists are expected to expand by 14 percent between the years 2016 and 2026. This rate of growth is twice as fast as the average growth rate across all occupations in the country. The rising number of papers that are coming to institutions, in addition to the ongoing shift from written to online systems, are the two primary factors that have contributed to this healthy employment forecast.

Librarian Overview

People seek the assistance of librarians in order to do research or locate information. Librarians have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of libraries, including public libraries, academic libraries (such as those found in high schools and universities), and medical libraries (which are often found in hospitals and medical facilities). It's possible that their particular job description changes based on the kind of library they work in.

Librarians are responsible for a diverse array of tasks and duties. In most cases, they interact directly with library users, arrange and place orders for library resources, plan and carry out special events and workshops, teach other library employees and volunteers, and acquire and set up new technological equipment for the library. To assist customers in finding the information they need, librarians require an in-depth understanding of the collections housed in their libraries in addition to great people skills.

Compensation and Prospects for Work as a Librarian

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for librarians in May 2018 was $59,050. It is anticipated that the employment rate of librarians will expand by around 9 percent between the years 2016 and 2026, which is somewhat higher than the average rate of growth for all occupations. It is clear from this increase that libraries will continue to play a vital role as information hubs for their communities.

There are Many Parallels Between the Roles of Archivists and Librarians

There are many parallels to be seen between the work of archivists and librarians. To begin, the majority of their careers are spent working at academic institutions such as libraries, universities, and museums. After that, students often begin their education with an undergraduate degree in history or a discipline that is closely linked to it. Organizational skills are necessary for both of these occupations since it is the responsibility of both positions to make sure that things are readily available to the general audience. Last but not least, they both save and update information databases in order to ensure that future generations will be able to access and make use of the data.

Differences Between Librarians and Archivists in Their Work

There are a lot of significant distinctions that may be made between archivists and librarians. This covers the people with whom they work, the products with which they operate, and the process by which they obtained their positions. Archivists are responsible for working with historical records and papers, and they often collaborate with a small team or scholars with specific knowledge. Librarians are responsible for working with a vast variety of different types of media, and depending on the professional environment in which they work, they serve a variety of different clients. These clients can range from leisure readers looking for the newest best-selling novels to law students searching for access to case data.

Comparing Private Conversations and Public Appearances

The quantity of contact that archivists and librarians have with the general population is a significant point of differentiation between the two professions. People in this job deal with the customers of their respective institutions very seldom, if at all, due to the fact that archivists work with records and documents and spend the majority of their time processing and maintaining these materials. On the other hand, librarians often engage in one-on-one interactions with library users in order to assist such individuals in locating information and doing research.

Books and other forms of media vs historical records

In addition to the fact that archivists operate in private settings rather than public ones, librarians deal with a variety of various types of documents. Archivists are responsible for maintaining long-term records and preserving historically significant materials, including pictures, prints, and maps. These could include historical maps that have been utilized for city planning in the past. These maps give a record of how property borders and infrastructure have changed through time. The archivists' job must be carried out with the utmost care and attention to detail since the maps and other papers they deal with are often delicate, exceedingly rare, or one of a kind.

On the other hand, librarians spend their days working with books, other types of media, and other resources. These may cover a broad variety of topics and can include anything from a time-honored book like War and Peace to the most recent blockbuster movies available on Blu-ray. Although some of these resources could be scarce or delicate, the vast majority of them are not. In order to effectively assist customers who are doing research on a particular subject or seeking for a specific item, librarians need to have good organizational and interpersonal skills.

Comparing a Master's in General Studies to a Master's in Library Science

Despite the fact that both professions benefit from having comparable undergraduate educations, such as a bachelor's degree in history, the master's degrees that are commonly required for each are distinct. Archivists often have degrees in history, library science, public administration, archive science, or political science. Archivists may also have a background in public administration. A master's degree in library science is nearly usually required to work as a librarian.

Why is there a distinction? Archivists may discover that it is feasible to get a master's degree in a wide range of disciplines that provide insight into the issues that are pertinent to their future employment. Appraisal, preservation, or even certain time periods in history could fall within this category. Librarians, on the other hand, work with cutting-edge technology and assist others in gaining access to it. In addition, librarians are responsible for developing budgets, purchase programs, and catalogs. A master's degree that is unique to one's profession and provides one with the diversified knowledge necessary to succeed is often required of today's librarians in order for them to possess the ever-evolving, high-level, and precise abilities that are required of them. In addition, several jurisdictions need librarians to pass certification exams before they can work, particularly if they are employed in an academic environment.

Which Career Path Is Best for You: Being an Archivist or a Librarian?

Learning about the primary distinctions that exist between archivists and librarians might assist you in determining which of these two professions could be a good match for you. If you like to deal directly with historical documents and would rather stay in the background, a career in archiving could be a good match for you. Archiving is the practice of preserving historical records. Archivists often feel the pleasure of knowing that their work helps to the preservation of the history of a place and the people who lived there, despite the fact that their job does not entail dealing directly with members of the community.

If you appreciate arranging your class notes so that you can easily retrieve them later, or alphabetizing your graphic novel collection, or assisting others in gaining access to knowledge for their own personal or professional use, then a job as a librarian may be an excellent match for you. You will need to be able to collaborate well with people and be comfortable doing ongoing research and placing orders for new products on a regular basis for your organization.