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).

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

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• ESL Teacher Resume Examples
• First-Year Teacher Resume Examples
• High School Teacher Resume Examples
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Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples

Librarian Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

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

• Craft a single–page resume for librarian jobs.
• List former roles in reverse-chronological resume order.
• Use a resume font like 11–14pt Didot or Helvetica.
• Add white space to make your resume a joy to read.
• Include resume sections for Heading, Summary, Work History, Education, and Skills.

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

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

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]

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]

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.

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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

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:

• Certifications and licences (ALA, state, etc.)
• Associations or groups (ACRL discussion groups, etc.)
• Volunteering 
• Freelancing
• Publications
• Awards & honors
• Conferences
• Additional activities
• Languages
• Exercise

See these librarian resume examples:

Librarian Resume—Other Sections

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.

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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!