Can You Become a Librarian With an Art History Degree?

Art|Art History

Can You Become a Librarian With an Art History Degree?

It’s an age-old question – can you become a librarian with an art history degree? After all, art history and libraries seem like two very different topics. But the answer is yes – if you have a degree in art history, you can definitely become a librarian.

The most obvious way to use your art history degree as a librarian is to specialize in library collections that focus on art and art-related topics. For example, many universities, museums, and other institutions have special collections of books and other media related to the history of art. If you have a background in this area, you can use your knowledge to help curate these collections or assist patrons in researching information related to them.

In addition to working with special collections, another option for those with an art history background is to work as an archivist or cataloger. These positions require knowledge of specific areas of expertise such as cataloging standards and archival practices. Art historians are well equipped to handle these tasks because they are familiar with the terminology and processes used in creating catalogs and classifying artifacts.

Finally, those with an art history degree can also look into working as a reference librarian or library outreach specialist. Reference librarians help patrons find information quickly and accurately while outreach specialists work to promote library services within their communities. Both roles require excellent research skills which are essential for anyone studying the arts.

No matter what type of position you’re looking for, having an art history degree puts you at an advantage when it comes to finding employment as a librarian. Your background in the arts will be invaluable when it comes to curating collections, cataloging artifacts, and helping patrons find the information they need quickly and accurately.

Conclusion: An art history degree is definitely useful when it comes to becoming a librarian – whether it’s working with special collections, cataloging artifacts, or helping patrons find information quickly and accurately – having knowledge about the arts puts one at an advantage when looking for employment as a librarian.