So You Want To Be A Librarian (So You Want To Be A...)

"So You Want To Be A Librarian by Linda Soules gives young readers a clear and engaging look at what it really means to work in a library. It begins with the earliest libraries and traces the development of public collections, showing how the job has evolved from ancient clay tablets to the modern digital tools librarians use today. Readers will learn about the different types of librarians, how information is organized, and why curiosity, patience and a love of helping people are essential skills. The book also introduces the Pack Horse Librarians, who delivered books to remote communities, and explains how today’s librarians support schools, hospitals and public spaces. If you have ever wondered what librarians do behind the desk, this book walks you through the work and helps you decide if this could be the right career for you.

So You Want To Be A Librarian by Linda Soules is a clear and enjoyable addition to the series, written in simple, down‑to‑earth language that makes the subject easy for young readers to understand. It explains what librarians do in a way that is practical and familiar, showing how they keep everything organized, help people find the information they need, and make sure the library is a welcoming place for everyone. The book also spends time showing why librarians help people tell the difference between solid information and things that can lead you in the wrong direction, and it does this in a way younger readers can follow without feeling talked down to. There is a lovely moment when the Pack Horse Librarians are introduced, giving children a sense of how determined people were to bring books to families living far from any town. The modern examples help readers understand the many different places librarians work in today, from busy public branches to school libraries and even hospitals. The book walks readers through what the job looks like from morning to closing time, and the final pages offer simple, practical steps for anyone who thinks this might be the right path for them. It is a friendly, informative, beautifully illustrated guide for children who enjoy learning how things work and who want to understand what really happens behind the desk at their local library."

"So You Want To Be A Librarian is an engaging and informative introduction to the world of librarianship. Written for children, the book challenges the outdated stereotype of librarians as stern people who only shelve books and tell visitors to be quiet. Instead, it shows librarians as teachers, researchers, problem-solvers, and champions of free access to information. Young readers learn that librarians work in many places, including schools, hospitals, archives, bookmobiles, children’s rooms, and digital information systems.

I loved the way the book explains the importance of libraries in everyday life. Librarians do more than help people find books; they listen carefully, answer questions, connect visitors with useful resources, and teach people how to recognize reliable information. The book’s focus on critical thinking and misinformation is especially valuable for children growing up in a digital world. It also presents the library as a living organization that must change and grow along with the community it serves.

The book is well organized and includes sections about the best, hardest, and most surprising parts of the job, as well as a typical day in the life of a librarian. Warm illustrations, fun facts, historical profiles, career questions, and a glossary make the information easy and enjoyable to explore. Readers are introduced to inspiring figures such as Pura Belpré, S. R. Ranganathan, and the Pack Horse Librarians, who carried books into remote areas of Kentucky.

So You Want To Be A Librarian is a fun, appealing, and educational book for elementary and middle-grade readers. It would be an excellent choice for classrooms, homeschool collections, family read-alouds, and children who enjoy career-exploration books such as the Who Was? series. Even readers who do not plan to become librarians will gain a greater appreciation for libraries as welcoming places of knowledge, comfort, connection, and community. Most importantly, the book encourages curiosity, kindness, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of reading and learning."

"So You Want To Be a Librarian by Linda Soules treats eight-to-fourteen-year-olds as serious thinkers. It shows what librarians actually do, not the quiet stereotype, and gives parents a clear look at a profession built on curiosity, fairness, and welcome.

I kept thinking about how this book walks kids through the real work: the reference interview that finds the need underneath a vague request, Dewey Decimal organization and why librarians keep improving it, Pack Horse Librarians on mountain trails, and Pura Belpré filling shelves with Spanish books. It covers public, school, medical, and prison librarians, plus catalogs and information literacy. Parents will appreciate the hard parts too, from defending the freedom to read to after-school hours when the library feels like the safest place in town.

Her clear, conversational voice never talks down. Reading it feels like a thoughtful adult beside a curious young reader, explaining intellectual freedom and Ranganathan's five laws without fuss. Bright illustrations give younger readers visual footholds while older ones dig into the substance. The honest, eye-level tone makes this guide easy to share at home and worth reading aloud together.

If your child lights up at questions, or you want a conversation about careers that matter, hand them this book. It makes librarianship feel both possible and important, and worth discussing as a family."

"I bought this for my book-loving niece, and it ended up being such a fun read for both of us. I love that it challenges the old stereotype of librarians and shows kids that they're so much more than people who shelve books. They're teachers, researchers, problem-solvers, and champions of free access to information.

What really stood out to me was the emphasis on critical thinking and learning how to tell the difference between reliable information and misinformation. In today's world, that's such an important skill for kids to develop. And a super important takeway is that a library is a growing organism, a living that must change & grow along its community.

The writing is engaging, the illustrations are lovely, and it presents the profession in a way that's inspiring without feeling preachy. Whether your child dreams of working in a library or simply loves books, this is a wonderful read that encourages curiosity, kindness, and a lifelong love of learning."

"This is a very appealing book to me. I have loved libraries my whole life and even worked in them for a long try time. So You Want to Be a Librarian features warm, inviting illustrations. It explains the history of libraries, talks about what librarians do, how libraries work in general, gives brief profiles of some librarians through history, and lists some fun facts about libraries and librarians."

"I feel like many librarians get a bad connotation associated with them but this book presented them in such a positive light, it was just delightful. This book showed the importance of the job that they do and how the library can be a safe place for many. This is one of my favorite books from this series."

"This makes me want to put my kindle or phone down and run to the library! I love to read books. I used to go with my grandmother when I was little. I know our local library does all kinds of things for children and activities for others also. We also, in my town, have many 'book boxes' or small libraries around town for anyone to grab a book or if you have books you don’t want anymore, you can place them in the box. Reading is always such a good thing for any age."

"This book gives a very precise and detailed overview of all the facets of being a librarian. It goes into qualities that good librarians have, a love of people, curiosity, patience, ability to order, and courage. It also stresses how librarians are nonjudgmental and are available to help everyone who walks in the door. This book explains the many ways librarians serve all aspects of their communities, and the various duties they perform on a daily basis. I found this quite informative as an adult, even though it was written for middle school readers."

"I love the 'So You Want to Be' books! The author provides the reader with the necessary information to determine the direction they want to take when looking for a career. As a school librarian, I really enjoyed this book and feel it was spot on in its description of the librarian career. I would highly recommend this series for young people searching for options available when they are ready to decide their future plans."

"The character here is my 12 year old. She’s the one who lives in the library after school, not because she has to, but because she likes helping people find things. She’s the one who gets mad when she hears 'fake news' on TikTok and wants to know how to check it. This book spoke directly to her.

Instead of just talking about books on shelves, it hands her the real job. Connecting one person to the exact book they need. Organizing all of human knowledge so a stranger can find it. Teaching people how to tell a trustworthy fact from a convincing fake. That last one hit her hard. She looked up and said, 'That’s important.'

What I loved is how much ground it covers. One page she’s in a sunlit children’s room. The next she’s imagining riding with the Pack Horse Librarians in Kentucky, carrying books on horseback to families who’d never had them. Then it’s a hospital library. Then it’s the digital systems answering millions of questions. She realized librarians aren’t in one place. They’re wherever people need help.

The history parts mattered too. Meeting Pura Belpré and S. R. Ranganathan gave her people to look up to who weren’t just in the US. And the book is honest about the values, open access, reader privacy, freedom to read. It doesn’t pretend those are easy. It treats kids like they can handle that."

"I really enjoyed reading this book! I have always loved spending time in libraries and often wondered if this is something I wanted to do when I was younger. Although I took a different path and it was great to learn about what a librarian actually does!"

"Excellent series. My daughter loves books and dreams of the fun of having a job where books surround her. Love the illustrations in this. It's a bookworm's dream."

"I just can’t get enough of this series. This was full of great information and I was surprised to learn about some of the places libraries can be."

"I like to spend time reading these types of books with my son. It helps to show him all aspects of a career and not just the stereotype of the career. I love that this one addressed the common error that librarians just sit and shush everyone and that libraries can actually be lively. I also liked seeing the time line of a day in the life of a librarian."

"This fact-filled book shared with kids exactly what it takes to be a librarian! Topics include exactly what a librarian does (hint: it’s not just reading books all day long!), the best and hardest parts of the job, what a day in the life looks like, what qualities are needed, who librarians work with and how they help people, famous librarians in history, lots of fun facts, and much more! Anyone who loves books will be fascinated by all the things librarians do to keep our libraries running smoothly day after day."

"I’m glad I heard about this book around school because it turned out to be such an interesting and inspiring read. I especially appreciated how it shows that librarians are so much more than people who organize books—they educate, research, guide others, and help keep curiosity alive. The real-life stories and fun facts made the book even more engaging, and I found Pura’s story particularly inspiring. It’s a wonderful reminder of how one person’s love of knowledge can make a lasting difference."

"I really enjoyed the section about Ashurbanipal, the king who gathered thousands of clay tablets in ancient Nineveh. It was interesting to learn how early librarians carefully protected these collections and helped preserve written knowledge for others. I also liked the discussion of how the idea of a free public library eventually developed into a place where people from different backgrounds could access books and information. The book does a great job showing kids that librarianship is about much more than shelving books—it’s also about protecting knowledge and helping people find what they need."

"A thoughtful and well written easy to read book about the librarian profession. As a librarian I was curious how the career would be presented and it was presented with the information and heart that I find in my daily work. Soules writes about not just what it is that sometimes inspires us to be librarians, but what we do in the day to day, and the challenges that librarians face regularly."

"I love these books. The so you want to be. . . . Books are incredible. I always learn something from these books and my kids enjoy them. There are so many titles and careers these books have. I specifically loved this one because I am an avid reader and I try to encourage the love for books and reading for my children. My favorite part of the book is when it says 'knowledge should belong to all of us, not only to the people who can afford it.' That is something I say all the time and believe deeply. These books are so inspiring for children and even some adults."

"Soules shows that being a librarian is an important, modern job that helps people find the answers they need. She helps readers see that libraries aren't just roomfuls of books—they are welcoming spaces that bring communities together, support clear thinking, and help people keep learning for life."

"This book is an excellent resource for anyone that is considering becoming a Librarian. It details what skills are needed to take on this role. You cannot simply “love books” - you must enjoy people, researching, organizing, and promoting learning. A Librarian is a very diverse and important position. When an early learner is seeking and considering a career as a Librarian - this book truly lays out that career with easy-to-follow guidelines. It is also a good-read for anyone that enjoys spending time in the Library - because it will make you appreciate the Librarian so much more!"

"This is an excellent book for children who are obsessed with books. I love that it gives a brief history of libraries and librarians and explains clearly what the job entails. Another great aspect of this book is the honesty. The hardest parts of the job are discussed as well as the better parts. I've read several of these So You Want To Be books, and I feel each of them does an amazing job of giving details without making it too difficult for children to understand. I learned something new from the Fun Facts section, so even adults can benefit from this."

"What an absolute gem for anyone considering a career in library science, or even just curious about the profession. Soules delivers an incredibly comprehensive and insightful look into the multifaceted world of librarianship, covering everything from the diverse roles available to the essential skills needed.

What truly makes this book stand out is its practical and realistic approach. It doesn't sugarcoat the challenges but also highlights the immense rewards and intellectual stimulation that come with the job. The writing is clear, engaging, and highly informative, making complex topics easily digestible. It's evident that Soules has a deep understanding and passion for the field, which shines through on every page.

I really enjoy learning that different types of libraries have been around for a very long time, how they got the dewy system and all the different types of libraries there is."

"This book is organized in a very interesting way. It starts by explaining what librarians actually do, which is different from what people actually think. It explains what the hardest part of the job is, the best part, as well as the most surprising one. It talks about the people a librarian works with as well as what a day in a life looks like. I particularly liked the section that explains what one needs to do to prepare to be a librarian. Overall, a beautiful book with catchy illustrations for children and teens."

"Another great book to this series! As someone who worked in a library, this book has wonderful information. I love the facts and showing the different aspects of what librarians do. Such a fun book for a kid to look through if they’re interested!"

"So You Want to Be a Librarian from Linda Soules is one book of the series of carrier exploration books for kids. A librarian does more that shelve books. They connect one person to what they need. They do not have to know all the answers. They have to know how to find them, and how find them fast. Reading this book I learned the stories of Pura Belpre, S.R. Ramganathan, Melvil Dewey and the Pack Horse Librarians. I also discover that the oldest library is in Sant Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt. I really enjoyed this book because is something closer to a conversation than a carrier guide. It is an invitation into the world a child might one day step into. My overall rating is 5/5. I would definitely recommend it for young kids who want to be a librarian."

"This book is great for young children interested in librarians. Most kids see them everyday in school but we didn't really know all the work they had to do behind the scenes. Instead of just talking about the books it speaks about the real job they do. Not everything can be found online is accurate sometime you just have to go back to the hard copies.

This books focuses on the connections they make with their readers. It shows us that they don't just fit the confines of what we assume they do."

"'So you want to be' series is amazing. It’s perfectly written to educate younger audience on what it takes to pursue a career and become a professional in any field. I was drawn to read about what librarians do because I love reading books. Turns out librarians also love spending time with people in addition to books. They possess social skills, learn how to operate technology to put book-related information in computer, and they welcome readers and help them find the book they are looking for. I loved reading on the tools of trade, the qualities of librarians, what this role provides for readers and other people who visit library, and what are demands and struggles of it. You get to know everything about becoming a librarian and it’s really fascinating. I enjoyed reading it along with beautiful illustrations. You have to read it if you are curious about this profession and are considering it as your future career. It may change your mind after you learn about it."

"I thought the book was amazing. It goes in detail of what a librarian does, the history of libraries, the different departments in the library and what each one does to help the patron. The illustrations in this book are adorable. I recommend this book to all children, not just the ones who love people and books, but also to those needing to understand how their library can help them."

"This book was very informative. One thing for sure was that I had no idea that a librarian did so much. This is the type of book that would inspire anyone that is thinking about being a librarian as a career to go for it. I enjoyed reading about the different types of libraries some are mobile, some are small and some are in carts in hospitals and each one has the same purpose. I like how the book detailed what a librarian actually does which is not only to hush people in the library, Librarians actually read books to children, help with homework and give all kinds of accurate information to those that need it. This book has inspired me to actually get a library card and go to the library!"

"This is a good book for children wanting to be a librarian. It mentions the good and hard parts of the job as well as a day in the life of a librarian showing a typical schedule. It shares how you can help others in the job. It also has a glossary at the end. Very good book for young children."

"Great book to teach young kids about what’s it’s like to be a librarian. I never thought about how old libraries were or that they weren’t always free. Librarians are like mini detectives, helping people find the books and answers, sometimes with little to go off of. I also like that it lets young readers know that librarians need degrees. Most people I’ve discussed this with were shocked. There was a lot of information in this book. Definitely not a story for bedtime, more of a book for a child genuinely interested in learning more! Librarians are amazing people and do a lot more than most realize."

"What a wonderful book! The explanations of what a librarian does, history, qualities needed and fun facts makes this a must read. Designed for ages 10-14 (could be as young as 8 or 9) I found this book to be informative, cohesive and brilliantly done! This series is a must read."

"What a wonderful and insightful look into the world of a Librarian. Gives a clear glimpse into the day to day goings-on. Where the old saying 'You learn something new everyday' educates the reader in how this institution has survived centuries."