Librarian (School / Academic)
Manage and develop library collections, support research and information literacy, and foster a love of reading and learning in school or university settings.
Librarians in school and academic settings serve as information specialists, research guides, and champions of reading and literacy. In Sri Lanka, school librarians work in government and private schools — managing physical collections, supporting students with research, running reading programmes, and collaborating with teachers to develop information literacy skills. Academic librarians work in university and higher education libraries — managing extensive research collections (print and digital), supporting faculty and student research, providing reference services, and managing digital library systems. The role has evolved far beyond "managing books" — modern librarians curate digital resources, manage databases, teach research skills, handle information architecture, and support open access and digital scholarship. In Sri Lanka, the National Library and Documentation Board (NLDB) sets library standards and provides training. The professional qualification is the postgraduate diploma or degree in Library and Information Science (LIS), offered by the University of Kelaniya. School libraries are often understaffed and underfunded — qualified librarians are in demand. International schools and university libraries offer significantly better conditions. Academic librarians at universities may also be involved in research support, scholarly communication, and institutional repositories.
What a Librarian (School / Academic) does daily
- Manage library collections — select, acquire, catalogue, classify, and maintain books, journals, databases, and digital resources using library management systems
- Support research and information literacy — assist students and faculty in finding, evaluating, and citing information; teach research skills and database navigation
- Conduct reading programmes — organise reading clubs, storytelling sessions, book fairs, and literacy campaigns to foster a love of reading
- Provide reference and circulation services — answer reference queries, manage loans and returns, assist with inter-library loans
- Manage digital resources — subscribe to and maintain access to online databases, e-journals, and digital libraries; support digital literacy
- Catalogue and classify materials — use classification systems (DDC, LCC) and cataloguing standards (MARC, RDA) to organise collections
- Collaborate with teachers and faculty — integrate library resources into curricula, co-teach research skills, support assignments and projects
- Manage library systems and technology — operate library management software (Koha, Destiny), maintain library website, manage digital catalogues
- Budget and collection development — plan and manage library budgets, identify collection gaps, recommend purchases
- Promote information ethics — teach responsible use of information, copyright, plagiarism prevention, and academic integrity
Step-by-Step Career Roadmap
- Complete A/Ls in any stream — Arts or Humanities background is common but not required
- Cultivate wide reading habits across genres and subjects
- Use your school library actively — become familiar with how libraries are organised
- Develop computer skills — library management systems are software-based
- Pursue an undergraduate degree in any subject from a recognised university
- Be an active library user
- Volunteer or assist in school/public library
- Develop strong language and reading skills
- Entry to PGDLIS at University of Kelaniya requires a completed undergraduate degree — plan accordingly