Librarian Resume Examples & Writing Guide for 2024

 

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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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

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

Hiring managers are busy people. They want to know right off the bat if your librarian resume is worth the effort. To make them choose you, write 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

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.

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

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.

Is your librarian experience still on the shelf? See these entry-level resume samples for librarian jobs:

Entry-Level Librarian Resume Objective

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.

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.

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

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]

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.

• 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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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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?

Rhere’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

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.

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

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

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.

Additional Activities

• Road biking
• Volunteering
• Writing articles

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.

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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!

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