Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Impact: Educational outcomes

Library science teachers at universities train future librarians in cataloguing, digital archives, and information management. Their students often already work in the field, making seminars a forum where theory meets live professional experience.

Try for free See if this fits you

What do Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary do?

What the work is really like

You teach future librarians how to organise information, manage collections, and serve communities. Your students range from recent graduates to mid-career professionals returning for a master's degree in library and information science. The work splits between classroom teaching and advising capstone projects, thesis committees, and field placements. You might lecture on cataloguing theory one morning, lead a seminar on digital archives after lunch, and review a student's research proposal on community engagement in rural libraries before you leave. The administrative side is constant: you design syllabi, update curriculum to reflect changes in technology and user needs, attend faculty meetings, and serve on accreditation committees. Most of your students already work in libraries or adjacent fields, so the classroom doubles as a professional forum where theory meets the frustrations and breakthroughs they bring from the field.

The work is intensely social. You spend most of your day in conversation with students, colleagues, and visiting practitioners. Team teaching is common, particularly for courses that blend information science with disciplines like digital humanities or data management. You coordinate with librarians at your own institution to arrange site visits and guest lectures. Stress runs moderate but spikes during hiring reviews, grant deadlines, and accreditation cycles.

Skills and strengths that matter

You need a doctoral degree in library and information science or a related field, and most positions require or strongly prefer experience as a practising librarian. Teaching skill matters more than people assume. You translate abstract concepts into assignments that prepare students for the work they will actually do, and you adjust your approach depending on whether you are teaching a required foundations course or an elective on emerging technologies. Learning how to structure a lesson, manage discussion, and give useful feedback on research writing takes years. Patience matters.

Complex problem solving comes up when you help students untangle messy research questions or rethink a thesis that is not quite working. You also solve curricular puzzles: how to fit shifting topics like data curation, privacy law, and open access into a programme that already feels overfull. Database skills are part of the job because you teach students how to use library management systems, metadata standards, and query languages. You stay current by attending conferences, publishing research, and keeping ties to the profession. Speaking and presenting are daily tasks, both in the classroom and at professional gatherings.

Who tends to thrive here

People who do well here enjoy teaching and mentoring, often more than the prestige of publishing. You find satisfaction in watching a student move from confusion to competence, and you care about the profession enough to shape the people who will run it next. Many library science faculty were school or academic librarians first and found they missed the intellectual work of research or wanted more control over their schedule. The role suits people who are comfortable with ambiguity, because trends in information science shift faster than curricula can keep up.

You need to tolerate bureaucracy. Accreditation reviews, assessment reports, and faculty governance take time. The job drains people who want long stretches of solo work or sustained focus without interruption. Constant interaction is the default. You also need to accept that your research will rarely reach a wide audience, and that much of your value to the institution comes from service work no one outside the department will notice.

How people get into the role and grow

Most library science teachers start as librarians. A common route runs through academic, public, or special libraries, where you build expertise in a niche like digital preservation, government documents, or youth services. You return to graduate school for a doctorate, often while working part time. Your dissertation becomes your research base. From there, you apply for assistant professor roles at one of the roughly sixty ALA-accredited library science programmes in North America. Early career work focuses on earning tenure: you teach a full load, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and serve on committees. Five to eight years in, the rhythm settles. You advise more doctoral students, take on programme leadership, and shape curriculum.

Senior faculty after fifteen to twenty-five years often move into administration as department chairs, associate deans, or directors of research centres. Some shift into education administration more broadly or take roles in university libraries. A few leave academia to consult on library leadership or policy. Demand is stable, with modest growth projected through 2033. The profession is small, so job openings are infrequent and competition for positions at research universities is fierce.

From people working as Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teaching library science at the postsecondary level is a blend of instruction, research, and staying current with information technology. It involves guiding future librarians, developing curriculum, and contributing to scholarly discourse, often requiring a deep understanding of both traditional library practices and emerging digital trends. The work feels impactful, shaping the next generation of information professionals.

Researched from O*NET, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, ALISE, ALA, Reddit r/Libraries

A day in the life of Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
85% Team / 15% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Low
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$80,340
Direct occupation
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 National OEWS · SOC 25-1082.00
Entry-level
$57,200
Senior
$129,120
Growth by 2033
+3.0%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
10th-to-90th percentile pay range
126% from entry to senior
Typical student debt
Very High

Skills you need as Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Hard skills

  • Education and Training
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Data base user interface and query software

Soft skills

  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking

Technical complexity: Low

Tools Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary use

Core tools

  • WorldShare Collection Manager (Software): To streamline and automate the management of library records and electronic resources.
  • Follett Destiny Library Manager (Software): To manage library tasks, resources, and support student success in K-12 environments.
  • Polaris ILS (Software): To manage circulation, cataloging, and patron services in public and academic libraries.

Commonly used

  • Learning Management Systems (LMS) (Platform): To deliver course content, manage assignments, and facilitate online learning for students.
  • Academic Search Premier (Database): To provide access to a wide range of scholarly articles and research materials for teaching and research.

Specialist tools

  • Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems (Software): To organize, store, and retrieve digital content and media for educational and research purposes.
  • Statistical Analysis Software (e.g., SPSS, R) (Software): To analyze research data and interpret findings for academic publications and presentations.

How to become Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Minimum education
Doctoral or Professional Degree
Licensing
No professional license required
Many institutions expect a doctoral degree and relevant professional credentials; teaching roles may require institutional approval and adherence to academic hiring standards that vary by university.
Years to mid-career
5-9
Years to senior
15-25
Career switching
Moderate

Where Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary come from

  • Secondary School Teacher: Many individuals transition from teaching at the secondary school level to postsecondary library science education.
  • Librarian: Experienced librarians often pivot into teaching roles at the postsecondary level to share their expertise.
  • Instructional Designer: Professionals focused on designing educational content and experiences can transition to teaching library science.

Where Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary go next

  • Librarian: Library Science Teachers often transition into leadership or specialized librarian roles within academic or public libraries.
  • Information Architect: The expertise in organizing and structuring information is highly transferable to information architecture roles.
  • Data Curator: Skills in managing and preserving digital information are valuable for roles focused on data curation and management.
  • Digital Asset Manager: Expertise in digital resources and metadata makes this a natural progression for managing digital assets.
  • Academic Dean or Department Head: With teaching and research experience, many advance into administrative leadership positions within academia.

Typical Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary progression

  1. Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
  2. Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
  3. or Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
0.7785
AI disruption risk
High
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Overall satisfaction
7.2/10
Meaning
8.5/10
Work-life balance
7.5/10
Prestige
7.5/10
Social perception
High

Where Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary find community

Professional organisations

Reddit communities

  • r/Libraries: An online community for librarians and library enthusiasts to discuss issues, share resources, and connect with peers.

Online communities

Questions people ask about Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

What do Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary get paid?

Pay for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary starts around $57,200 at entry level, reaches $80,340 at the median and climbs to $129,120 for the most experienced.

What qualifications do Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary need?

Most employers look for a Doctoral or Professional Degree, no professional license required and reaching mid-career takes about 5-9 years.

Can Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary work remotely?

The work happens on site. Location-dependent: courses may be delivered in-person, online, or hybrid and research can often be conducted remotely, but on-campus responsibilities and student interaction typically require some in-person presence.

Is demand for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary growing?

Projections put employment growth at +3.0% through 2033, with demand rated Stable. Demand is average, sustained by academic programs and the need for trained information professionals, though growth is modest and opportunities are competitive. Demand varies by region and the size of library science programs.

Are Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary at risk from automation?

This work carries a high risk of disruption from AI. Low automation risk: teaching, mentorship, and original research are difficult to automate, though instructional technology and some content delivery can be augmented by digital tools.

Is working as Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary stressful?

Stress is rated moderate for this work. Moderate stress results from balancing teaching, research, and service obligations, along with tenure pressures and academic deadlines; stress can be higher during grant cycles or accreditation reviews. Workload and expectations vary by institution type.

What is the difference between Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary and a Librarian?

Librarian is the closest adjacent role and a common next step from Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary: library Science Teachers often transition into leadership or specialized librarian roles within academic or public libraries.

What does a typical day look like for Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary?

Teaching library science at the postsecondary level is a blend of instruction, research, and staying current with information technology.

How hard is it to switch into Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary from another career?

Switching into this work from another career is rated moderate. The entry requirement of a Doctoral or Professional Degree sets the floor for anyone coming from another field.

Do Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary need a professional license?

No professional license required. Many institutions expect a doctoral degree and relevant professional credentials; teaching roles may require institutional approval and adherence to academic hiring standards that vary by university.

Careers similar to Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Find your match

Are Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary the right career for you?

The assessment asks about the work you enjoy, the strengths you rely on and the conditions in which you do your best work, and then sets your answers against more than 4,000 careers so you can see where Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary rank among the careers that suit you.

Try for free

It takes about 25 minutes, and your first matches are free, with the full results available when you upgrade.