Being a librarian involves far more than checking out books and shelving materials. Modern librarianship requires a blend of technical skills, customer service excellence, community engagement, and continuous adaptation. Whether you’re a veteran librarian or new to the profession, these ten practices will help you build a thriving, patron-centered library.

1. Know Your Collection Inside and Out

Why it matters: You can’t recommend what you don’t know. Familiarity with your collection enables you to:

  • Make relevant recommendations
  • Answer reference questions confidently
  • Identify collection gaps
  • Weed outdated or damaged materials effectively

How to do it:

  • Browse regularly - Spend 15 minutes daily exploring different sections
  • Read reviews - Follow professional journals and book review sources
  • Track trends - Monitor bestseller lists and award winners
  • Use your ILS - Run reports on circulation, holds, and popular subjects
  • Readers’ advisory tools - Use NoveList, Goodreads, and similar platforms

In Koha:

  • Review circulation statistics (Reports → Statistics)
  • Check most-requested titles (Reports → Most Circulated Items)
  • Monitor holds queue for high-demand items
  • Use collection analysis tools to identify weaknesses

2. Embrace Technology (But Don’t Forget the Basics)

Why it matters: Libraries are technology hubs, but traditional library skills remain essential. Balance is key.

Technology skills to master:

  • Integrated Library System (Koha) - Know it thoroughly
  • Digital resources - E-books, databases, streaming media
  • Social media - Engage your community where they are
  • Website management - Keep your online presence current
  • Assistive technology - Screen readers, magnifiers, adaptive keyboards
  • Basic troubleshooting - Help patrons with common tech issues

Don’t neglect:

  • Reference interview techniques
  • Readers’ advisory
  • Information literacy instruction
  • Collection development principles
  • Cataloging and metadata

Action steps:

  • Complete one tech tutorial monthly
  • Attend webinars on emerging library technologies
  • Volunteer to test new features in Koha
  • Cross-train with IT staff
  • Stay current with industry blogs and podcasts

3. Build Relationships with Your Patrons

Why it matters: Libraries succeed when they meet community needs. You can’t serve a community you don’t know.

How to connect:

  • Learn names - Remember regular patrons and their interests
  • Ask questions - “Did you enjoy that book?” “What are you looking for today?”
  • Listen actively - Pay attention to stated and unstated needs
  • Follow up - “I found that book you asked about!”
  • Be approachable - Smile, make eye contact, avoid library jargon

Community engagement:

  • Attend local events representing the library
  • Partner with schools, senior centers, community organizations
  • Create advisory boards with diverse representation
  • Survey patrons regularly about their needs
  • Respond to feedback and close the loop

4. Develop Strong Readers’ Advisory Skills

Why it matters: “What should I read next?” is one of the most common (and important) questions librarians answer.

Readers’ advisory fundamentals:

  • Appeal factors - Understand pace, character, story, frame, tone
  • Read widely - Sample genres outside your comfort zone
  • Use tools - NoveList, LibraryReads, What Should I Read Next?
  • Ask open questions - “Tell me about a book you loved” vs. “What genre?”
  • Suggest multiple options - Offer 3-5 recommendations

Conversation starters:

  • “What was the last book you couldn’t put down?”
  • “Are you in the mood for something fast-paced or thoughtful?”
  • “Do you prefer character-driven stories or plot-driven?”
  • “How do you feel about endings?” (happy, ambiguous, tragic)

Pro tip: Keep a reading journal with brief notes on books you’ve read, including appeal factors and read-alike titles.

5. Stay Current with Professional Development

Why it matters: Library science evolves constantly. What you learned in library school becomes outdated quickly.

Professional development opportunities:

  • Conferences - ALA, state library associations, specialty groups
  • Webinars - Free and low-cost training from library organizations
  • Certifications - Specialized credentials in areas like data curation, archives
  • Committees - Serve on professional association committees
  • Mentorship - Find mentors and mentor others
  • Reading - Professional journals, blogs, books about librarianship

Essential reads:

  • American Libraries magazine
  • Library Journal
  • School Library Journal (for youth services)
  • College & Research Libraries (academic librarians)
  • Blogs: LISNews, Annoyed Librarian (satire but insightful)

Budget-friendly options:

  • Free ALA webinars
  • State library training programs
  • YouTube channels (Library 2.0, ACRL)
  • Twitter #LibraryTwitter community
  • Free courses on Coursera, edX

6. Champion Information Literacy

Why it matters: In the age of misinformation, teaching patrons to evaluate and use information effectively is a core library mission.

Information literacy includes:

  • Evaluating sources - Credibility, bias, currency, authority
  • Search strategies - Keyword selection, Boolean operators, advanced search
  • Citation - Proper attribution and avoiding plagiarism
  • Digital citizenship - Privacy, security, online safety
  • Media literacy - Recognizing manipulation, propaganda, deepfakes

How to teach it:

  • One-on-one - During reference transactions
  • Classes - Workshops on topics like “Spotting Fake News”
  • Passive programming - Displays, handouts, LibGuides
  • School partnerships - Collaborate on curriculum-integrated instruction
  • Community outreach - Programs at senior centers, community centers

Example program: “Fact or Fiction? Navigating News in the Digital Age”

  • 60-minute workshop
  • Hands-on evaluation of real and fake news articles
  • Introduce CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose)
  • Provide resource handouts and follow-up support

7. Master the Art of Customer Service

Why it matters: Libraries are service organizations. Excellent customer service builds loyalty and advocacy.

Customer service principles:

  • Greet everyone - Acknowledge patrons within 10 seconds
  • Be patient - Never make patrons feel stupid for asking questions
  • Stay positive - “I’ll help you find that” vs. “We don’t have that”
  • Go the extra mile - Walk patrons to the shelf, call other branches
  • Handle complaints gracefully - Listen, empathize, solve

The reference interview:

  1. Open the conversation - Friendly greeting
  2. Negotiate the question - Clarify the real need
  3. Search strategy - Explain what you’re doing
  4. Follow up - “Did this answer your question?”
  5. Close positively - “Come back anytime!”

Difficult situations:

  • Upset patrons - Stay calm, listen fully, apologize if appropriate
  • Unreasonable requests - Explain limitations kindly, offer alternatives
  • Boundary-pushers - Know and enforce policies consistently
  • Chronic complainers - Be professional, document interactions

8. Advocate for Your Library

Why it matters: Libraries don’t fund themselves. Advocacy ensures continued support and resources.

What advocacy looks like:

  • Tell your story - Share impact data and patron success stories
  • Engage stakeholders - Build relationships with funders, politicians, community leaders
  • Mobilize supporters - Create “Friends of the Library” groups
  • Use social media - Amplify your library’s value proposition
  • Demonstrate ROI - Calculate return on investment for funders

Compelling statistics to track:

  • Circulation numbers
  • Program attendance
  • Reference questions answered
  • Public computer/WiFi usage
  • New card registrations
  • Volunteer hours contributed
  • Economic impact (value of services provided)

Advocacy messages:

  • “Libraries provide free access to information for all”
  • “We serve 10,000+ patrons annually with a budget of $X”
  • “Every $1 invested in libraries returns $5 to the community” (vary by study)
  • “We’re teaching digital skills, supporting job seekers, and fostering literacy”

Action steps:

  • Attend city council/school board meetings
  • Write op-eds for local newspapers
  • Create one-page fact sheets about library impact
  • Host “Library Advocacy Day” events
  • Join ALA’s advocacy network

9. Curate Meaningful Programs and Events

Why it matters: Programs attract patrons, build community, and demonstrate library value beyond books.

Types of programs:

  • Educational - Computer skills, financial literacy, language learning
  • Recreational - Book clubs, craft sessions, game nights
  • Cultural - Author talks, film screenings, cultural celebrations
  • Children’s - Storytimes, STEM activities, summer reading
  • Teen - Makerspaces, gaming tournaments, college prep

Program planning checklist:

  1. Assess need - Survey community, analyze gaps
  2. Set goals - What outcome do you want?
  3. Budget - Materials, presenter fees, refreshments
  4. Schedule - Avoid conflicts, consider audience availability
  5. Promote - Social media, flyers, local media, website
  6. Execute - Set up early, welcome attendees warmly
  7. Evaluate - Surveys, attendance numbers, observations
  8. Follow up - Thank attendees, share outcomes, repeat successful programs

Low-cost, high-impact programs:

  • Seed library exchanges
  • Community skill-sharing (knitting circles, language exchanges)
  • Local author readings
  • Documentary screenings with discussions
  • Coding clubs using free resources (Scratch, Code.org)
  • Wellness workshops (yoga, meditation)

10. Practice Self-Care and Work-Life Balance

Why it matters: Burnout is real in helping professions. You can’t serve others well if you’re depleted.

Signs of librarian burnout:

  • Dreading work
  • Cynicism about patrons
  • Exhaustion despite adequate sleep
  • Reduced empathy
  • Frequent illness
  • Isolation from colleagues

Self-care strategies:

  • Set boundaries - Don’t answer work emails at midnight
  • Take breaks - Use your vacation time fully
  • Find community - Connect with other librarians for support
  • Pursue hobbies - Maintain interests outside librarianship
  • Practice mindfulness - Meditation, journaling, nature walks
  • Exercise regularly - Physical health supports mental health
  • Seek help - Therapy or counseling when needed

Workplace wellness:

  • Advocate for reasonable workloads
  • Cross-train to reduce single points of failure
  • Celebrate wins as a team
  • Create a positive staff culture
  • Support colleagues facing challenges

Remember: Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential for sustained service to your community.

Bonus: Never Stop Learning

Librarianship is a continuous learning profession. Stay curious, embrace change, and remember why you became a librarian: to connect people with information, ideas, and each other.

Resources for Librarians

Conclusion

Great librarianship isn’t about perfecting one skill—it’s about balancing many competencies while staying focused on your mission: serving your community. These ten practices provide a framework for professional excellence, but remember to adapt them to your unique library context.

Whether you’re working in a rural bookmobile, an urban academic library, or a school media center, these principles apply. Know your collection, embrace technology, build relationships, advocate tirelessly, and take care of yourself.

Most importantly: never lose sight of why libraries matter. We’re not just warehouses for books—we’re community hubs, information gateways, and guardians of intellectual freedom. The work you do every day changes lives.

Looking for library management solutions or Koha implementation support? We help libraries of all sizes provide excellent service. Contact us to learn more.