English
My account

You control your data

We use cookies to tailor the experience of creating resumes and cover letters. For these reasons, we may share your usage data with third parties. You can find more information about how we use cookies on our Cookies Policy. If you would like to set your cookies preferences, click the Settings button below. To accept all cookies, click Accept.

Settings Accept

Cookie settings

Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

Choose type of cookies to accept

Analytics

These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.

Performance and Personalisation

These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.

Advertising

These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.

Necessary

These cookies are essential for the Site’s performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.

To see a detailed list of cookies, click here.

Save preferences

Librarian Resume Examples & Writing Guide for 2023

You love the feel and smell of books, and you help people stand on the shoulders of giants. Show it to employers with your professional librarian resume.

Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Career Writer at ResumeLab
Librarian Resume Examples & Writing Guide for 2023

You just found a Daniel-Woodrell-worthy librarian resume sample.

 

Why do you need it?

 

Well—

 

There are only 143,500 librarian jobs in the US. Compare that to three million nurses or a million teachers.

 

To get your dream job, your resume must stand out like Arturo Bandini.

 

No problem. This library resume does the job.

 

In this guide you'll find:

  • A librarian resume sample better than most.
  • How to write a library resume that stands out in the stack.
  • How to tailor your librarian job description so you get hired.
  • Why you can’t just list librarian skills (and what to do instead).

 

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

 

Create your resume now

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWlibrarian resume example

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

 

 

Want to open up more job possibilities? See our guides:

 

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples

 

Librarian Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

 

Karyna Kail

Librarian

 

Personal Info

 

Phone: 417-288-8809

Email: karynazkail@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/karynazkail

instagram.com/karynazkail

twitter.com/karynazkail

 

Summary

 

Forward-thinking librarian with 5+ years of experience updating a busy urban library. Seeking to support rich public service at St. Louis Public Library. At Carondelet Library, managed 9 assistants and cut interlibrary loan processing time by 35% with new lending process.

 

Experience

 

Public Librarian

Carondelet Library

2015–2020

  • Managed 9 assistant librarians to perform all support and operations in a busy urban library with robust physical and digital programs.
  • Trained 5 assistant librarians in best practices for digital and physical lending and cataloging. Achieved 95% performance to goals.
  • Processed patron transactions and loans to other libraries.
  • Led an effort to track and identify unused books. Replaced the bottom 10% of unused works with in-demand books in 6 months.
  • Collaborated with 5 volunteer organizations to promote library use. Increased community use of library by 20%.
  • Redesigned children's story hours to save 4 employee hours per month. Simultaneously increased participation 25%.

Key Achievement

  • Implemented new interlibrary loan system that cut processing time by 35% and saved 10+ employee hours per month.

 

File Clerk

Doran's Acres, St. Louis, Missouri

2014–2015

  • Stocked and ran internal resource library of 250+ popular titles of paperbacks, hardcovers, ebooks, and media for employees.
  • Created cataloging system to ensure prompt return of materials.
  • Managed filing and distribution of company training materials.

 

Education

 

Master of Library Science

University of Missouri

2012–2014

  • 3.89 GPA
  • Wrote master's thesis on digital library architecture.

 

BA in Liberal Arts

Westminster College

2008–2012

 

Relevant coursework: The Political History of the English Language, Etymology and the Oxford English Dictionary, Magic Realism in Modern Literature, Darkness in American Literature.

 

Academic achievements

  • President, Westminster College Student Book Club.
  • Member, Student Literature Discussion Group.

 

Publications

 

2019 — "The Role of Libraries in a Digital Era" in St. Louis Today

2018 — "How Digital Lending is Rocking Amazon" in The Boston Globe

 

Hard Skills: computer skills, cataloging, OPALS, research, Handy Library Manager

 

Soft Skills: interpersonal skills, customer service, organization, attention to detail

 

Librarians organize, manage, and provide access to a diverse range of literary resources. They serve as information experts and facilitators of learning, fostering a love for reading and supporting research and education within libraries and other information institutions. 

 

Here’s how to write a librarian resume that shelves your unemployment:

 

1. Use the Right Librarian Resume Format

 

This is important.

 

The hiring manager wants any excuse to toss your library resume.

 

Don’t give her one.

 

Start with a clean resume format that exudes professionalism.

 

Use these tips:

 

Librarian Resume Format

 

Expert Hint: PDF resumes are best because they display well on all screens. Have you heard ATS hiring software can’t read them? You heard wrong—times have changed.

2. Write a Librarian Resume Objective or Summary

 

Picture this:

 

The hiring manager—we’ll call her Sue. She’s busy.

 

She wants to know right off if your librarian resume is worth the effort.

 

Answer with a resounding “Yes!”

 

How? With a Tolstoy-worthy career objective statement or career summary statement.

 

Add:

 

  1. An adjective (forward-thinking, creative)
  2. “Librarian”
  3. Years of experience (1+, 5+)
  4. What you’ll do & for whom (support rich public service at St. Louis Public Library...)
  5. Best resume achievements (cut interlibrary loan processing time 35%...)

 

See these librarian resume examples:

 

Librarian Resume Summary—Example

Good Example
Forward-thinking librarian with 5+ years of experience updating a busy urban library. Seeking to support rich public service at St. Louis Public Library. At Carondelet Library, managed 9 assistants and cut interlibrary loan processing time by 35% with new lending process.
Bad Example
Experienced librarian, skilled in interlibrary loans and leadership. Adept at training assistant librarians and saving time for employees and administrators. A creative thinker with an eye for forward-thinking programs and updates

Quick thought:

 

Both librarian resume samples promise the same things.

 

But #1 shows a history of success with 5+ years, 9 assistants, and a 35% time savings.

 

But—

 

Is your librarian experience still on the shelf?

 

See these entry-level resume samples for librarian jobs:

 

Entry-Level Librarian Resume Objective

Good Example
Librarian with Master’s degree in Library Science and skills in cataloging and filing. Seeking to delight patrons at Carondelet Library. As file clerk at Doran’s Acres, managed 250+ title library, including paperbacks, hardcovers, media, and ebooks.
Bad Example
Entry-level librarian with skills in managing interlibrary loans and using computers. No librarian job experience so far, but I’m eager to learn on the job. A good communicator with 3 years of professional experience and excellent customer service skills.

Astounding.

 

Both entry-level library resume examples with are the same applicant.

 

The first shows evidence of skills.

 

3. Tailor Your Librarian Job Description and Skills

 

What skills go into a resume for librarian jobs?

 

Use this list of skills to put on a resume:

 

Librarian Resume Skills

 

  • Cataloging and Classification
  • Information Retrieval
  • Reference Services
  • Collection Management
  • Digital Resource Management
  • Library System Administration
  • Information Literacy Instruction
  • Research Skills
  • Computer Skills
  • Archiving and Preservation
  • Interlibrary Loan Coordination
  • Reader's Advisory
  • Database Management
  • Metadata Creation
  • Customer Service
  • Creative Thinking
  • Organizational Skills
  • Attention to Detail
  • Communication Skills
  • Technology Proficiency
  • Problem Solving
  • Adaptability
  • Multitasking
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Collaboration
  • Teaching and Training
  • Administrative Skills

 

But—

 

Don’t shelve the whole batch in a resume for librarian jobs. That’s an obvious ploy.

 

Instead, create a custom resume with the resume keywords the job advertises.

 

These librarian resume samples show how:

 

For a job that needs skills in training, transaction processing, collaboration, and interlibrary loans:

 

Librarian Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Good Example

Experience

 

Public Librarian

Carondelet Library

2015–2020

  • Managed 9 assistant librarians to perform all support and operations in a busy urban library with robust physical and digital programs.
  • Trained 5 assistant librarians in best practices for digital and physical lending and cataloging. Achieved 95% performance to goals.
  • Processed patron transactions and loans to other libraries.
  • Led an effort to track and identify unused books. Replaced the bottom 10% of unused works with in-demand books in 6 months.
  • Collaborated with 5 volunteer organizations to promote library use. Increased community use of library by 20%.
  • Redesigned children's story hours to save 4 employee hours per month. Simultaneously increased participation 25%.

Key Achievement

  • Implemented new interlibrary loan system that cut processing time by 35% and saved 10+ employee hours per month.
Bad Example
  • Performed and managed physical lending and cataloging in a high-volume urban library.
  • Led an effort to track and identify unused books. Replaced unused works with in-demand books.
  • Managed a program to promote library use by local residents.
  • Redesigned children's story hour to save employee time and raise participation.

Huge difference.

 

The first of those library resume examples is built on the needs of the job ad.

 

The second isn’t, and it lacks juicy numbers like 9, 5, 95%, etc. God is in the details!

 

If you’re writing a resume for entry-level applicants, work the same magic with a twist.

 

See these entry-level school librarian resume examples. The job they want needs skills in stocking, cataloging, and training.

 

School Librarian Resume Job Description [Sample]

Good Example

File Clerk

Doran's Acres, St. Louis, Missouri

2014–2015

  • Stocked and ran internal resource library of 250+ popular titles of paperbacks, hardcovers, ebooks, and media for employees.
  • Created cataloging system to ensure prompt return of materials.
  • Managed filing and distribution of company training materials.
Bad Example

Team Member

The Speckled Hen Restaurant

2015–2020

  • Collaborated with office staff on a program to improve customer service by 20% as measured by exit interviews with clients.
  • Worked directly with customers to solve problems and route them to the correct employees.
  • Scheduled appointments and answered phones.

Hmm.

 

The first of those school librarian resume samples is Boston Public Library material.

 

The second isn’t awful. Even the collaboration and customer service are good transferable librarian skills. But it lacks numbers that add oomph.

Expert Hint: According to research in Reference Services Review, librarians are a new touchpoint to help patrons understand and use technology. If you’ve got tech experience and teaching skills, show them in your library resume.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWcreate your resume now

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

 

4. Show Your Education in the Right Light

 

If you can’t show off your education on a resume for librarian jobs, where can you?

 

But there’s a key way to do it.

 

Again, it comes back to the skills in the online listing.

 

See this school librarian resume sample:

 

Librarian Resume Example—Education

Good Example

Education

 

Master of Library Science

University of Missouri

2012–2014

  • 3.89 GPA
  • Wrote master's thesis on digital library architecture.

 

BA in Liberal Arts

Westminster College

2008–2012

Relevant coursework: The Political History of the English Language, Etymology and the Oxford English Dictionary, Magic Realism in Modern Literature, Darkness in American Literature.

Academic achievements

  • President, Westminster College Student Book Club.
  • Member, Student Literature Discussion Group.

See that?

 

We added skills like digital library architecture and leadership. If those are in the job ad, you’re a shoe-in!

Expert Hint: Entry-level librarians can write longer education sections. A class, student group, or project can have its own bullet points that prove librarian skills.

5. Add “Other” Sections to Your School Librarian Resume

 

Think about this:

 

Hiring managers can’t tell much about you from your resume.

 

Do you have passion? Personality?

 

Your education and experience won’t answer that.

 

Show them with “other” sections in your library resume.

 

Select from:

 

See these librarian resume examples:

 

Librarian Resume—Other Sections

Good Example

Publications

 

2019 — "The Role of Libraries in a Digital Era" in St. Louis Today

2018 — "How Digital Lending is Rocking Amazon" in The Boston Globe

 

Additional Activities

 

  • Volunteer worker, Habitat for Humanity.
  • Regular road biker for self care and fun.
Bad Example

Additional Activities

 

  • Road biking
  • Volunteering
  • Writing articles

East, meet West.

 

The first of those librarian resume samples is Alice-Walker-level. It shows energy and passion.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your resume for librarian jobs. Display excitement for the library or school. Add 2–3 key bits of evidence your skills are solid.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOWcreate your cover letter now

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

 

Key Points

Here’s how to write a librarian resume:

  • Use a librarian resume template. Stock it with your finest librarian achievements.
  • Add librarian skills like cataloging and interlibrary loan management. Use numbers to show competence.
  • Write a librarian resume objective as a quick glimpse of the best parts of your resume.
  • Add other sections like ACRL discussion groups or articles you’ve written to give your resume an added boost.

 

Got questions on how to write good resumes for librarian jobs? Not sure how to put librarian on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

Rate my article: librarian
Thank you for voting
Average: 5 (8 votes)
Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Tom Gerencer is a career advice writer and a resume expert at ResumeLab. Tom has been featured on BBC News, NBC, The Economist, Business Insider, Fast Company, and dozens of other outlets. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.

Was it interesting? Here are similar articles

How to Start a Resume—20+ Examples and Tips

How to Start a Resume—20+ Examples and Tips

False starts, knuckle-cracking, hair-pulling, and groaning are no way to spend an afternoon. Learn how to start a resume so you feel good, finish fast, and land the interview.

Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Career Writer at ResumeLab