Is Becoming a Medical Librarian Right for You?
A medical librarian supports clinicians, researchers, and students by managing medical knowledge and guiding evidence-based decision-making. These professionals ensure that information is accessible when it matters most — working in hospitals, academic medical centers, research institutions, public health organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and more.
If you’re naturally curious, detail-oriented, and love organizing complex information, this career can be deeply satisfying. And while it might not be commonly known, medical librarians impact care delivery and patient outcomes at the system level. Learn more about this exciting career path to discover if it is the right one for you.
What Does a Medical Librarian Do?
Medical librarians support healthcare professionals, researchers, and students by ensuring access to reliable, evidence-based information. Their responsibilities can include:
- Conducting literature searches for clinicians, researchers, and administrators to support patient care, research, and policy decisions.
- Managing medical databases and digital resources, such as PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and institutional subscriptions.
- Teaching information literacy skills, including how to evaluate research quality, avoid misinformation, and use databases effectively.
- Supporting evidence-based practice by helping healthcare teams locate and apply the latest clinical guidelines and research.
- Assisting with systematic reviews and research projects, including search strategy development and citation management.
- Maintaining and organizing library collections, both physical and digital, to ensure materials are current and accessible.
- Collaborating with healthcare teams, academic faculty, and researchers to support education, grant writing, and publication efforts.
- Ensuring compliance with copyright and licensing requirements related to academic and clinical resource use.
Depending on the setting, medical librarians may focus more heavily on clinical support, education, or research services. They can work alongside physicians, nurses, academic faculty, policy development teams, and many others.
Pros and Cons of Being a Medical or Health Sciences Librarian
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Non-bedside healthcare role with predictable hours in many settings, and some roles are partially or fully remote
Opportunity to work in diverse environments Transferable skills can be useful in health informatics, research, and policy roles Database changes and research innovations mean there’s always something to learn |
Some positions may require evening or on-call hours, especially in academic or hospital libraries
Often requires a specialized master’s degree, which can be time- and cost-intensive Salaries may be lower than those in clinical healthcare roles that require similar levels of education A highly specialized role that may require relocating, especially for people who are early in their careers |
Medical Librarian Salary Expectations
The average salary for this role is about $77,000 per year, but yours may be higher or lower depending on your location, job setting, experience, and more. Taking on additional responsibilities and earning certifications are ways you can build your earning potential.
How to Become a Medical Librarian: 4 Steps
Because this role requires both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, it can take six years or more to complete the job requirements. But there’s more than one way to get started.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Start by completing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. While there’s no required undergraduate major, coursework that builds research skills, scientific literacy, and strong writing abilities will be especially helpful. Common majors include:
- Biology
- Health sciences
- Nursing
- Public health
- English
- Information science
Optional Step 2: Gain Job Experience
Hands-on experience in a healthcare, academic, or research setting can set you apart and help you learn about the field before or after beginning a master’s degree. Consider any of the following experiences and roles:
- Internships
- Research roles
- Nursing
- Scribe
- Medical assistant
- Academic tutoring
Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree in Library Information Science
Medical librarian positions often require a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). You’ll likely need to complete the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with a GPA between 3.0 and 4.0
- Testing scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Letters of recommendation
- School interview
Check out some of the courses you might take during an MLIS program:
- Design methods for librarianship
- Research, assessment, and design
- Issues for information professionals
- Social/ethical issues in information management
Step 4: Find Roles
As you prepare to apply for roles, update your resume and cover letter to reflect your degree and experience. While not usually required, professional credentials can enhance your credibility and deepen your knowledge. Becoming certified can also help you stay updated on changes in the field of library sciences. Medical librarians can pursue certification through the Medical Library Association (MLA), and they also have a list of open positions in the field. Finally, don’t forget to research which great healthcare companies to work for might be the best fit for your career.
Clinical and Non-Clinical Roles for Health Professionals
Looking for roles? If you’re exploring allied health or nursing roles to become a medical librarian, we can help you find what you’re looking for. Sign up for personalized job notifications to learn more about opportunities in your area.