Librarian: meaning, definitions and examples

Best suited for contexts involving managing or working in a public, school, or university library. Responsible for organizing books, helping people find information, and managing library resources.

• The librarian helped me find a book on ancient history
• She is the head librarian at our local library

An old-fashioned term rarely used today, referring to someone who manages or works in a library. It's mostly seen in historical or literary contexts.

• The bibliothecary meticulously catalogued the ancient tomes
• In medieval times, the bibliothecary was responsible for the castle's collection of scrolls

Applicable in financial contexts, where a bookkeeper records and maintains financial transactions for businesses. Not related to managing books in a library.

• The bookkeeper updated the company's financial records daily
• She hired a bookkeeper to handle the accounting for her small business

Used when referring to someone who collects, manages, and maintains historical documents, records, and archives. Often works in museums, libraries, or government institutions.

• The archivist discovered a rare manuscript that had been stored away for decades
• He works as an archivist at the national archives

A general term for someone who works in a library and helps patrons find information or books.

• The librarian helped me find a book on ancient history.
• She has been a librarian at the city library for 10 years.

Used in modern or technical settings to describe someone who manages information, often in various formats, not just books.

• The information specialist provided me with several online resources for my research.
• He works as an information specialist at a tech company.

Emphasizes a role focused on managing special collections or exhibits within a library, common in museums or large academic libraries.

• The library curator organized an impressive exhibition of medieval manuscripts.
• As a library curator, she is responsible for acquiring rare books.

Describes a role that involves technical tasks in a library, such as cataloging, maintaining databases, or assisting with IT-related services.

• The library technician updated the library's digital catalog.
• He works as a library technician and handles all the software issues.