Julie McDonald's 14 years of experience in administration, marketing and sales made it easy for her to switch careers.

For the past six years, McDonald has been a librarian at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. Her official title is library co-ordinator.

She said she doesn't regret the career change.

"I love being a librarian," McDonald said. "I love working with people, (and) serving and helping them find information that they need -- be it print or online.

"There is a quote: 'Librarians are the bridge between people and the information they need.'"

McDonald immigrated to Fredericton from the Philippines in 2000.

McDonald, who has two young children, said her career suits her lifestyle.

"It's not stressful. When I leave work, I love the freedom of knowing that I can leave it behind and fully enjoy my home life while I am there."

On a regular workday, McDonald said, she answers the telephone and forwards phone calls.

She also responds to requests for information and helps people find what they're looking for.

"I teach library patrons to search for information using a database. I provide core circulation services ... I review and evaluate resource material, such as book reviews and catalogs, and recommend materials for purchase and catalogue them."

McDonald keeps herself up to date on industry trends by reading available journals.

She's also taking an online library information technology program through the Nova Scotia Community College. She had previously completed courses on cataloguing, information management and marketing acquisitions and circulations procedures at the college.

"I'm also planning to join, participate and be a member of the library association. I keep up to date through a combination of formal education, on-the-job training and personal professional development," she said.

The general requirement for a librarian is a post-secondary education and specialized training, McDonald said.

Librarians hold a minimum of two post-secondary degrees, she said.

"An undergraduate degree with a subject specialty, and a post-graduate degree in library or information science or information studies."

According to JobFutures.ca, the salary scale of librarians range from $33,000 to $55,000. Job Futures New Brunswick, using the Statistics Canada 2001 census, placed the average income of librarians, archivists, conservators and curators at $39,197.

McDonald believes there's a fair amount of demand for librarians in the province.

Last year, the New Brunswick government invested more than $770,000 to establish 25 new positions in various public libraries.

McDonald said dealing with some students who have little or no library experience is one of the most challenging aspects of her work.

But she said the rewarding part of her job is when she gets positive feedback from her customers.

"I get genuine, heartfelt thank-yous and positive feedback from students, staff and faculty. They appreciate the customer service," McDonald said.

Skills on research, Internet and computerized information management systems are important ingredients to being successful in this field, McDonald said.

"Familiarity with international cataloguing guidelines and standards is a must for organizing the collection, as well as familiarity with using an integrated library system," MacDonald said.

Laura May Unwin, acting director of administration at the craft college, said a librarian has to be people-oriented person.

"You have to be willing to provide the services in a fashion that's good for everyone. We have students, of course, and they are on a short time frame in the library," Urwin said.

"You know they just come in quick, and be out quick. A very calming, settling kind of person is what you have to be, which Julie definitely is."

THE FINE PRINT

Salary: $39,197 (2001 census average. Source: Job Futures New Brunswick)
Demand: As the population in Atlantic Canada continues to age and baby boomers retire, demand for librarians will increase.
Education: Post-secondary education and specialized training.