Walking into a library warms our hearts and feeds our intellect. It is a magical place where we can vicariously travel to the land of Oz, the castle of King Arthur, or the horse-and-buggy days of the Old West. We can read books and magazines, listen to music, check out books-on-tape, use computers hooked into the internet, and even eavesdrop on the children’s storyteller. But to a smaller segment of us, browsing the shelves of fiction and non-fiction gives way to a desire to build a career around books.

Careers in the field of books have taken a high-tech turn over the years. An increasing number of information professionals are now required to handle the myriad of tasks required for the day-to-day management of libraries. And because libraries have not escaped the global rise in technology, specialists are needed for digital database management, cataloging and classification, collection development, internet information resource design, web design, information systems analysis, research and business management. The acquiring of these skills has carved a niche in a field that has not received the publicity and glamour of other professions. Reputable online schools offer ALA (American Library Association)-approved training to those needing additional flexibility as they learn.

Pursuing a certificate, bachelors or masters degree in library science will certainly illuminate a different dimension of the library for those who are interested in the job openings available in various public, private, law, university, and governmental libraries. There are also opportunities for employment in bookstores, internet book companies, education, and consulting. Check your local library for posted job openings, which will list the required qualifications and testing criteria. You will also find a number of non-specialized library jobs there that do not require any specialized training. If you are interested in this field, you may also want to volunteer in a library to gain a clearer perspective of a stimulating career in the world of books.