Ever wandered through your local library thinking, “Imagine getting paid to live surrounded by books… That’s the perfect job for me!”
But librarians actually do far more than shelving books and reading all day – they’re information specialists working in public libraries, schools, universities, government agencies and even digital knowledge services. And according to the Australian Library and Information Association, more than 25,000 Australians work in library and information roles1.
How do you become a librarian? It’s simple: you can become a librarian by completing a library and information studies qualification, such as Charles Sturt’s Bachelor of Information Studies.
In this blog:
Why become a librarian?
Librarians aren’t just the friendly faces who help you find that one book with the blue cover. As Australia’s need for digital literacy, information management, research support, cultural heritage preservation and local council services grows, so does demand for skilled library and information professionals.
The National Skills Commission has even highlighted strong future growth in information and records management roles across the country2.
Here’s why becoming a librarian is such a rewarding move:
- Diverse working environments – work in schools, universities, public libraries, government, archives or even corporate knowledge centres
- Meaningful work – help communities access information, support learning and boost research
- Strong career security – digital transformation is expanding information services, not shrinking them
- Room to specialise – explore digital archiving, knowledge management, metadata, children’s literature or information governance.
What does a librarian do?
Librarians manage information and help people access it. But that can take many forms. You might help people identify and interpret information in oriented materials and online. You could also develop collections, digitise them, and promote them in community and digital networks. Other tasks might include devising and managing events for the public – from readings for children to local history discussions.
Increasingly, the library reaches far beyond the building it is housed in. Digital resources are more and more central to libraries, as Dr Jessie Lymn, a lecturer in information studies at Charles Sturt, explains.
“The digital literacy realm will become increasingly important. Sure, Google is there for information, but librarians will play a key role in helping people access the information that they need; for example, how to best use Google’s many available features. Today, libraries also have lots of digital services available offsite, such as lending eBooks and audiobooks. So it is still about access, even if not in the physical library space. Lots of libraries are working to increase access to digital information from home. This helps geographically disadvantaged people and those with, say, anxiety and depression for whom going to a physical library is hard.”
How to become a librarian in Australia
Becoming a librarian isn’t just about mastering the Dewey Decimal System (although it does make you feel extremely clever once you do). In Australia, the pathway is pretty straightforward: get qualified, gain experience, join the profession, grow your career. Easy as.
At a glance
| Stage | What it involves |
| Qualification | Complete an ALIA-accredited degree in information studies (like the Bachelor of Information Studies from Charles Sturt!) |
| Practicum / experience | Undertake placements, volunteering or internships in libraries or other information services. |
| Industry membership | Join the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) as a member. |
| Early career roles | Start off in public, school, academic, government or digital library settings. |
| Specialisation | Move into areas like metadata, archiving, digital literacy or research support. |
Step one: Complete a university degree in information studies
A degree like our Bachelor of Information Studies is the first step in your career as a librarian. It’s accredited by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), so you know you’re getting the knowledge and skills you need. It also means that when you graduate, you can apply to become a member of ALIA (which employers definitely like to see).
Step two: Gain practical experience
While not mandatory, practical experience is a huge confidence booster – and a great way to figure out what kind of library you want to work in.
Experience helps you discover whether you’re drawn to:
- School libraries
- Public libraries
- University research support
- Archives and special collections
- Digital services and emerging technologies.
Studying at Charles Sturt, you’ll get heaps of hands-on experience from lecturers who really know their stuff. Plus, you’ll do a work placement with a library, so you’ll get experience in a real library, learning alongside industry professionals, and building your network.
Step three: Professional membership
Joining the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is a great way to stay connected and informed. Membership gives you:
- Ongoing professional development
- Networking opportunities
- Access to industry news and events
- Recognition of your qualifications.
It’s not mandatory for all roles, but some government, education and academic positions require ALIA‑recognised qualifications, so membership can be a helpful signal of your professionalism.
Step four: Career progression and specialisation
Once you’re in the field, you can specialise faster than you can say “interlibrary loan” (try saying that ten times fast). Emerging areas are especially exciting, including:
- Digital literacy leadership – helping communities navigate the online world
- AI‑driven metadata and knowledge organisation – yes, robots need librarians too
- Repository management – managing digital collections and open‑access research
- Research data stewardship – supporting academics with data management
- Information governance – ensuring organisations handle information ethically and securely.
Librarianship is evolving rapidly with digital transformation.
How long does it take to qualify as a librarian?
Studying a Bachelor of Information Studies takes three years of full-time study. You’d attend uni for two out of the three study sessions each year. You can also choose to study part-time, which takes twice the length of time. Part-time study gives you the opportunity to work a job, volunteer or do an internship the rest of the time to gain experience.
What skills does a librarian need?
Librarians are the Swiss Army knives of the information world – they need to move seamlessly between emerging tech, community needs, deep research and helping people find the right books to read. To be a great librarian, you need two main kinds of skill: technical and soft. Technical skills are those you learn during your course, such as:
- Organisation and resource management – keeping collections, spaces and services running smoothly
- Research and analytical skills – supporting study, inquiry and evidence‑based decisions
- Digital literacy and metadata systems – navigating catalogues, databases and emerging tech
- Community engagement – running programs, events and outreach.
Soft skills are the personal aptitudes that complement your technical skills and mean you’ll be a top-notch library professional.
- Communication and empathy – working with diverse communities and learners.
- Organisation and resource management – keeping collections, spaces and services running smoothly.
- Problem-solving – staying on your toes to figure out the solutions to anything that pops up.
- Customer service – since you’ll be at the forefront of your community, you’ve got to be the friendly face they see when they first walk in the door.
How much can I earn?
Librarian salaries vary depending on your experience, the type of library you work in and whether you’re in a metro or regional area – but the good news is the sector offers steady, reliable career paths.
Here’s a quick guide to what you can expect:
- Entry‑level library assistant: around $55,000–$65,000 a year (varies by council and state awards)
- Qualified librarian (public or academic): typically $70,000–$90,000, with universities often paying at the higher end
- Specialist, senior or coordinator roles: $90,000–$120,000+, especially in areas like digital services, archives, metadata or information governance.
Salaries shift with experience, sector and location. Metro roles can pay more, but regional libraries can offer faster progression and broader responsibilities.
Hear from a real librarian (and Charles Sturt graduate!)
“My name is Georgina Konstanta, and I graduated from Charles Sturt in 2024 with a Bachelor of Information Studies (Librarianship).
I now work as a Children’s and Youth Librarian with Shellharbour City Libraries, delivering programs that support literacy and learning for children and families. It’s a role that brings me a real sense of purpose.
I came to this career later in life after working in administrative roles and raising a family. I hadn’t completed high school and didn’t think a professional career was possible. Starting at TAFE helped me enter the sector, but studying at Charles Sturt truly changed my direction.
Librarianship is about community, connection, and making a difference – and I’m proud to be part of it.”
Why study librarianship with Charles Sturt?
Our programs are industry‑aligned, ALIA‑accredited, and backed by one of Australia’s strongest professional reputations. Our alumni network stretches across public, school, academic and government libraries, so you’ll graduate into a supportive, international cohort. You’ll study fully online, with the flexibility to fit learning around work and life, plus plenty of practical, workplace‑ready skills built in.
If you’re ready to shape how communities learn, connect and access information, explore our information and library studies courses, or chat to us for personalised course advice today.
What ATAR do I need to study information studies?
In 2026, the entry score for the Bachelor of Information Studies at Charles Sturt is 60. However most information studies degrees – including ours! – don’t rely heavily on ATAR alone. We offer multiple entry pathways such as previous study, work experience, TAFE qualifications and the Charles Sturt Advantage program. Plus, you can get extra bonuses to your score, like regional study points based on where you went to school.
Do I need a degree to become a librarian?
Yes. In Australia, librarian roles generally require a degree‑level, ALIA‑accredited qualification. Diplomas can get you into library assistant roles, but not professional librarian positions.
What is ALIA and do I need membership?
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the national professional body for library and information workers. Membership isn’t mandatory, but it’s great for networking, professional development and signalling your commitment to the field.
Do librarians work in places other than public libraries?
Absolutely! Librarians work in schools, universities, TAFEs, government departments, archives, museums, corporate knowledge centres, health services and digital information environments. If there’s information to organise, a librarian is probably nearby.
Can international librarians work in Australia?
Yes and many do! You’ll need to ensure your qualifications are recognised (ALIA can assess this) and meet Australian visa requirements. Once that’s sorted, you’re good to go.
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