Librarian CV—Examples and 25 Writing Tips (+Objective)

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

Why do you need it?

Well—

There are only 134,800 librarian jobs in the US. Compare that to three million nurses or a million teachers.

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

No problem. This library CV does the job.

In this guide:

• A librarian CV sample better than most.
• How to write a library CV 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:

• Teacher CV Examples
• Art Teacher CV Examples
• Academic CV Examples
• ESL Teacher CV Examples

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV examples.

Librarian CV Sample You Can Copy and Use

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

1. Use the Right Librarian CV Format

This is important.

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

Don’t give her one.

Start with a clean CV format that exudes professionalism.

Use these tips:

Librarian CV Format

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

Expert Hint: PDF CVs 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 CV 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 CV 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 CV achievements (cut interlibrary loan processing time 35%...)

See these librarian CV examples:

Librarian CV 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

Quick thought:

Both librarian CV 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 CV samples for librarian jobs:

Entry-Level Librarian CV Objective

Librarian with Master’s degree in Library Science and skills in cataloguing 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.

Astounding.

Both entry-level library CV 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 CV for librarian jobs?

Use this CV skills list:

Librarian CV Skills

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
Classification	Interpersonal Skills
Cataloguing	Written Communication
Interlibrary Loans	Oral Communication
Acquisitions	Work Ethic
Dewey Decimal System	Analytical Thinking
Research	Attention to Detail
Computer Skills	Physical Stamina
OPALS	Efficiency
Handy Library Manager	Time Management
Programming	Teamwork

But—

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

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

These librarian CV samples show how:

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

Librarian Job Description for a CV [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 practises for digital and physical lending and cataloguing. 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 organisations 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 cataloguing 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 CV 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 CV for entry-level applicants, work the same magic with a twist.

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

Beginner Librarian CV 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 cataloguing 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.

Hmm.

The first of those school librarian CV 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 CV.

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 CV in our CV builder now.

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

4. Show Your Education in the Right Light

If you can’t show off your education on a CV 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 CV sample:

Librarian CV 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 University

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 University 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 Librarian CV

Think about this:

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

Do you have passion? Personality?

Your education and experience won’t answer that.

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

Select from:

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

See these librarian CV examples:

Librarian CV—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

East, meet West.

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

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your CV 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 CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 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 CV:

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

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

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