Librarian Resource Guide

Librarians are often found in schools, but they also work in colleges and universities, public libraries and specialized settings, and their work goes well beyond keeping materials organized and pulling books for students. People bring librarians questions about everything from local history to laptop settings, especially when they want an answer from a trusted source.

Librarians have questions of their own, too. This guide collects resources they can turn to: professional associations organized by library type, blogs written by and for librarians, websites and apps, books about libraries, and professional development tools. If you are still preparing to enter the field, see our guide to online master's in library and information science programs.

Where to Start: Resources by Library Type

The American Library Association (ALA) and its divisions publish standards, journals, training and job resources for each kind of library. Start with the group that matches where you work:

• All librarians: The American Library Association, founded in 1876, describes itself as the largest membership association in the library industry. Its site is the starting point for the divisions below.
• School librarians: The American Association of School Librarians, which became a division of ALA in 1951, publishes the National School Library Standards and the journal Knowledge Quest.
• Academic and research librarians: The Association of College and Research Libraries, ALA's largest division, publishes C&RL News and professional standards and frameworks and runs workshops and a national conference. Its blog, ACRLog, is listed below.
• Public librarians: The Public Library Association, one of ALA's eight divisions, publishes Public Libraries magazine. For program ideas, ALA's Public Programs Office runs Programming Librarian, which offers free webinars and a collection of library program ideas.

Librarian Blogs to Follow

Blogs written by and for librarians cover library technology, academic and research work, community engagement and day-to-day practice.

Here is a collection of librarian blogs:

Librarian.net — This long-running blog by library technologist Jessamyn West covers libraries, technology and privacy, and the site also offers an FAQ and a list of what she has been reading.

Librarian By Day — With posts dating back to 2007, this blog by Bobbi L. Newman covers an eclectic range of topics, including community engagement and workplace culture. Readers can browse posts by category.

ACRLog – The tag says it all: “Blogging by and for academic and research librarians.” Not only do you have an opportunity to read posts by fellow colleagues in the field, but you can also write for this blog if you want. Details for guest posts are outlined on the website.

6 Great Websites for Librarians

The best library-centric websites tend to invite browsing. It’s easy to get lost in the digital stacks of resources for library professionals.

Here are a few websites to frequent if you’re professional in the field of library science:

Public Libraries Online – This is the companion website to Public Libraries, the official magazine of the Public Library Association, with author interviews, industry news and more.

EveryLibrary – This 501(c)(4) organization builds support for libraries, offers support for ballot initiatives to fund libraries and helps communities fight book banning. You can volunteer and connect with other like-minded advocates, whether you’re a reference librarian, special librarian, or a school librarian.

The Librarian Is In — The New York Public Library's podcast about books, culture and what to read next. Its archive of episodes released from 2015 to 2023 remains available.

Library Technology Guides – This website, maintained by Marshall Breeding, offers independent coverage of the products, companies and systems used by libraries. It includes vendor and product databases and a document repository to help libraries evaluate new systems and keep up with developments in the field.

Library of Congress — The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of items, and you can use it online or in person. The depth and breadth of the library’s archives are a testament to libraries as essential public spheres of learning.

American Libraries – The flagship magazine of the American Library Association covers library trends and data, industry spotlights and webinars on its website.

Helpful Apps and Other Online Resources for Librarians

Are you a public librarian hoping to attract more patrons to your branch or a school librarian who’s interested in discovering ways to turn your library into a more accessible and inviting hive of learning? Maybe you’re a research librarian who wants to share fascinating news and facts with the wider community?

The following apps, websites, and online resources are available to you and can help make all that happen:

Apps

Instagram and Facebook — Love it or not, social media can be a convenient and powerful way to garner new library users and forge connections with current patrons. Share a best-selling book title or advertise an author visit. Be mindful of your target audience on these platforms: eight in 10 U.S. adults ages 18 to 29 say they use Instagram, compared with 19% of adults 65 and older, according to Pew Research Center's 2025 survey of social media use, which polled 5,022 U.S. adults.

Keynote — This app lets you create presentations with images, recorded audio and live video right from your iPhone or iPad. Spruce up your next major management meeting with your presentation.

BiblioApps — Created for libraries that subscribe to it, this library-branded mobile app lets patrons search your catalog, access their library card and see library notices right from their mobile device.

Axiell — This is another mobile library app for patrons. They can carry a mobile library card, search the catalog, manage reservations and renew loans, check opening hours and receive notifications.

Websites

The Speech Accent Archive — This handy audio resource is for any public librarian who wants to better serve patrons who speak with different accents in English. You can listen to speech samples from a wide range of language backgrounds.

STEM Activity Clearinghouse – This website features vetted science, technology, engineering, and math activities that librarians and library staff can use with patrons.

Institute of Museum and Library Services – This federal agency supports libraries, archives and museums through grants, research and policy development. Its Public Libraries Survey reports national data on library visits, circulation and collection size, and the website lists current grant opportunities.

Books for Librarians

“The Library Book” — Best-selling author Susan Orlean traces the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library, which burned for more than seven hours, destroyed 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more. The fire’s origin remains unsolved, and Orlean asks if it was set intentionally. The book is part mystery and part Orlean’s paean to the vital importance of libraries in our lives.

“The Boy Who Dared” — Drawn from her history of the Hitler Youth, children’s author Susan Campbell Bartoletti’s novel follows a 16-year-old who listens to the BBC on an illegal radio, spreads leaflets with what he learns and is charged with treason. The book explores censorship, truth and standing up to evil in a controlling society.

“BiblioTech: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever in the Age of Google” — What is the role of libraries in an era when you can look up pretty much anything on your smartphone? John Palfrey’s answer is that libraries aren’t simply repositories of information. Instead, he regards them as crucial tools of empowerment for undereducated, poor, or otherwise informationally dispossessed citizens. Palfrey contends that survival and vitality of libraries depend on leaping into the digital future as soon as possible.

Professional Development Resources for Librarians

Who are librarians if not people who embrace knowledge and learning? From a master’s in library science to related studies, librarians have the option to continue learning, developing themselves as professionals and switching work environments if they please.

Here’s a curated list of free online resources to help information and library science professionals reach their personal and professional goals:

WebJunction.org – A program of OCLC Research, WebJunction calls itself “the learning place for libraries.” It offers webinars and articles to help library professionals sharpen and advance their skills, including articles tagged “personal growth & development.”

Competency Index for the Library Field [PDF, 3.5 MB] — This detailed guide to core skills required for various jobs within libraries was compiled by WebJunction, with updates funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The positions covered include library administrators, cataloging librarians, librarians serving children and young adults, and information technology and support staff.