librarian
Americannoun
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a person trained in library science and engaged in library service.
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a person in charge of a library, especially the chief administrative officer of a library.
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a person who is in charge of any specialized body of literature, as a collection of musical scores.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of librarian
Explanation
A librarian is someone who works in a library maintaining books and information and lending them to patrons. If you have a research project ahead of you, make friends with the librarian. There are many different types of librarians, from archivists who care for, organize, and lend very old or valuable documents; to school librarians who organize book-related projects and buy books and electronic resources that are appropriate for the students they serve. To become a librarian, you might want to get an advanced degree in library science. The Latin root of librarian is liber, "book." In the 17th century, a librarian was known as a "library-keeper."
Vocabulary lists containing librarian
ESL Library Vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We were speaking for every librarian out there.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
She attended Princeton on 90% financial aid and worked part-time jobs on campus such as librarian, tutor and bartender.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026
As an American Library Assn. accredited librarian, Oakley founded the LA Drag Archive, a physical and digital collection of drag and gender-variant performances, to honor and preserve the legacy of the art form.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
She became a Pennsylvania school librarian in 2012.
From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026
The librarian seemed to be talking mostly to herself.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
