I get asked this question all the time by friends of mine that have no idea what it means to be a librarian. I'm pretty sure that a few of them think I get paid to sit and read all day. I wish I could fit pleasure reading into my daily work schedule. I think the world would be a better place if that was the case.

Anyways, I started brainstorming what exactly it is that I do every day so I know how to answer the question the next time I'm asked. Here's a few tasks I thought of that the reference librarians at NPL are responsible for on a daily basis...

purchasing books, audiobooks, video games, electronic resources (databases for example)

teaching/scheduling/designing computer classes

creating displays for materials

design programs for library customers

weeding the collection (withdraw materials that are outdated, don't circulate, physically worn)

answer reference questions in person, on the phone, through email

develop webpages for the library website

write blog entries about current events/library happenings/information of interest to the community

help customers with library technologies including using our public computers and the library catalog

keep up to date on the latest trends in library services

borrow books from other libraries for our customers, lend books from our collection

preserving local historical materials

If this sounds like fun to you then perhaps you'd like to investigate what it takes to be a librarian. There are programs of study for library and information studies nationwide. Here are a few programs that your Nashua Public Library reference librarians attended...

Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science

Rutgers University School of Communication Information and Library Studies

University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Library and Information Studies

Syracuse University School of Information Studies

Oh, and don't forget to check out the career information on the American Library Association's site.