Libraries and Archives

As mentioned above there are many different roles in the sector, below is a list of some of the most popular. The National Archives , Archives and Records Association (ARA) and the Chartered Institute of Librarian and Information Professionals(CILIP), have a useful list of roles and career paths. Prospects also has some detailed job descriptions for roles in the sector.
Job titles are varied and not always consistent across different organisations, sometimes meaning something completely different, with different levels of responsibility. Roles in the sector can be full-time, part-time or fixed term contracts. Many people's first introduction to the sector is by volunteering.
N.B. Read the job descriptions in detail, focusing on the specifics of the role and job description not the title. Some of the more familiar job titles are listed below:

• Academic Librarian  - supports, learning, teaching and research in academic institutions.
• Public Librarian  - organises and provides access to a range of information and reading resources to meet the diverse needs of a local community.
• Archivist - manages and maintains documents and other materials that have important historical and cultural significance for individuals, organisations and nations.
• Cataloguer - organises and describes items and records, arranging them in a systemic way, often using specific categorisation methods.
• Records Manager -  is responsible for the management of an organisation's records.
• Knowledge Manager - develops and manages complex records systems.
• Archivist - preserves and manages historical and cultural records and makes collections accessible to the public and researchers.
• Archive Conservator - is responsible for the preservation and conservation of historic documents.
• Library Assistant - (often an entry level position) undertakes a broad range of work that can include customer/client service, sourcing requested books for readers and supporting more senior team members.

Skills 

Each role will require a unique combination of skills - read job descriptions carefully. Some roles will have specific requirements such as modern and/or ancient languages or qualifications. However, in general, to work in libraries and archives you will also need:

• Good organisational skills
• Good IT skills and the ability to learn how to work with new and different software tools
• Good customer service and interpersonal skills, with a desire to help users source the relevant information/items
• Adaptability and flexibility, particularly in response to changing user needs
• Good communication skills, both written and oral
• High-level of accuracy and attention to detail
• A "problem solving" mindset
• Research skills

Getting experience

Libraries

Gaining relevant experience is important - just using a library for your studies is not enough! Many people gain their first experience and introduction to the sector by volunteering at a local library. At Oxford there may be opportunities to gain experience working in your college/department libraries. Also speak to staff currently working in those roles, to learn more about their jobs and career trajectories. 

If you have little or no relevant library and information experience and your degree is unrelated to information and library work, the CILIP advertises Graduate Training Opportunities on their website.

Archives

The National Archives and Archives & Records Association are fantastic resources about the sector. A good place to start is The UK National Archives’ online archive directory and the ARA also offers opportunities to volunteer with them. Be proactive and contact local heritage organisations, museums, records offices to find out if they offer any work experience opportunities. 

Internships for Oxford students

The Internship Office at Oxford has also offered micro- and summer internships to University of Oxford students in the past in the sector.

There are many varied and different routes including, direct entry, graduate roles and apprenticeships. Below are some entry level routes:

Assistant Librarian

This job title can be for "direct-entry" or graduate scheme entry positions. The requirements and job descriptions can vary greatly, with some roles requiring specific types of work experience.

Graduate traineeships

These roles are for graduates, with some requiring specific degrees and disciplines. The Bodleian Libraries have two graduate programmes, the Libraries and Digital Archivist Graduate Schemes. Some Oxford colleges also offer trainee librarian schemes  - New College and Christ Church have offered these in the past.

Further Study

Some roles eg: conservation roles may require further study for entry level positions and it may become more important to gain specific qualifications as you progress in your career. 

When looking for work, be flexible in your approach, by applying to full-time, part-time and fixed term roles. Follow the guidance offered by organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Librarian and Information Professionals, the Archives & Records Association and The National Archives. In addition to job sites, search for vacancies advertised on organisations' websites. If no vacancies are currently advertised, be pro-active and contact them to find out how they recruit and if they have a specific recruitment timeline/cycle.  

Some useful job sites are listed in the "External Resources" section

Networking can also be useful to learn more about the sector and gain advice about navigating the job market from working professionals

General

• The National Archives
• National Archives – Novice to Know How  - Free online training on digital preservation
• Archives & Records Association UK & Ireland
• www.prospects.ac.uk – job profiles,  including salary information on roles eg: archivist, public librarian, academic librarian etc.
• Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
• Information and Records Management Society

Sector vacancies

• Information and Records Management Society
• Leicester University Museum Studies, Jobs Desk - job vacancies across the museums, culture & heritage sector
• Jobs.ac.uk – Higher Education jobs in Library Services. Data & Information Management
• Local Government Jobs – includes roles in libraries
• Oxford University Colleges' websites -  trainee college librarian vacancies are usually advertised here

Additional information

• Bodleian Trainee Blog – Blog from the Bodleian Libraries' graduate trainees
• Archives and Records Association: Careers Guide 

Employers are keen to have a diverse workforce, and many will have policies and processes that are proactive in recruiting staff from diverse backgrounds.

Try the following to discover more about the policies and attitudes of the employers that you are interested in:

• Read their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Search their website to see if they have any specific staff networks
• Look for external accreditation such as whether they are a Disability Confident employer, a Stonewall Diversity Champion or part of the Mindful Employer charter promoting mental health at work
• Explore what they do to celebrate diversity on their social media pages.

The UK Equality Act 2010 has a number of protected characteristics to prevent discrimination due to your age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation. For further information, visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s webpage on the Equality Act and the UK Government’s webpages on discrimination.