Sample Job Postings

Post

Keep in mind that job titles are fluid, positions often merge with those with similar responsibilities, and all public librarians need management skills, as they will be expected to manage projects, departments, and community relationships. In addition, many public librarians may be asked to provide some information literacy instruction, serve on committees, provide collection management, conduct community outreach, and form partnerships/collaborate with community groups.

The chart of job openings, sample duties, and sample qualifications shown below will help think about how your career goals and current skill set match up. (Note: salary ranges vary with location, library size, applicant experience, and similar considerations.) Once you see what you need, consider choosing courses, internships, and volunteer experiences that will help you develop new skills and increase your desirability as a job candidate. (Note: all jobs listed below require or strongly prefer an MLIS from an ALA-accredited program.)

Sample Public Librarian Positions (as of 8/2017); click on position title for full job posting

Position Sample Duties Sample Required Qualifications Typical Salary Range
Adult Services:
Community Engagement Librarian
Illinois

Principal Librarian
California

Branch Manager
Massachusetts

Librarian
Indiana
Supervise, participate in maintenance of adult collection, including books, audio materials, periodicals, and reference materials
Assist adult services patrons with inquiries and requests for reference information

Perform duties at circulation desk, readers services desk, and reference desk

Manage, train branch staff, oversee day to day branch operation, develop effective programs and dynamic collections

Proactively engage with organizations and individuals to provide services that reach a varied audience, ensure library services are reaching current and new community audiences
Willingness and courage to generate and implement new ideas based on community data

Strong commitment to generous public service

5 years of increasingly responsible professional public library experience including 3 years of supervisory experience

Strong customer service skills, proven managerial skills

Thorough knowledge of popular adult materials, borrower/ circulation services

Ability to interpret community needs and interests, turn into relevant library service

Ability to work effectively with diverse population

Ability to handle multiple activities and interruptions
$48,900 –$79,800
Children’s Services:
Children's Librarian
(New York)

Librarian I or Librarian II
Texas

Librarian III
Texas

Director of Children's Services Grade 30
South Carolina
Publicize, plan and conduct programs for children and parents: toddler and pre-school reading times, picture book hour, arts and crafts programs, summer reading clubs

Develop collection with emphasis on developing quality children/YA materials, select and order materials

Reach out to schools and community organizations serving children, teens and families, develop collaborative partnerships

Provide instruction and classes in the use of computer hardware and software
 
Ability to work with diverse population of children and provide effective customer service to large number of children simultaneously
Extensive knowledge of children’s literature and child-focused reader’s advisory practices

Skill in working with and providing training and/or programming for children and/or youth

Ability to stay current on library profession and services by attending classes and seminars

Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities

Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public
$39,000-$55,000
Teen/Youth/YA Services:
Teen Librarian
Florida

Youth Services Librarian
California

Librarian, Youth Services
Indiana

Librarian (Teen)
Connecticut
Plan and oversee services to teens within the library and community

Advocate for teens, teen services

Initiate, plan, conduct variety of programs, outreaches and activities to encourage use of library by teens ages 12-18

Maintain and develop teen collection and provide readers’ advisory services

Create and submit statistical and narrative reports about youth services staff activities on a regular and ad hoc basis; author grant applications to secure program funding

Plan, develop, and present variety of ongoing programs for children and young adults and their families and caregivers
 
Demonstrated experience working with teens

Knowledge of key library and teen-appropriate technologies (e.g., mobile technology, social media)

Knowledge of teen/YA literature, reference sources, and programs

3 years library experience, multilingual speaking a plus

Knowledge and previous use of library databases and services including materials selection tools

Creative and artistic skills, ability to make crafts for department activities

Experience with and enthusiasm for STEAM/maker activities
 
$38,000 -$77,000
Info Tech/ Management
IT Manager
Arizona

Digital Services Librarian
Connecticut

IT Manager
Florida

Digital Services Librarian
Idaho
Perform technical work of considerable difficulty in systems administration (ILS system) and in design, acquisition, and monitoring of networks in both local-area and wide-area network environments

Provide IT support to public, staff

Develop technology workshops and classes that respond to community need and interest

Compile broad range of library metrics

Provide continuous improvement plan and action for IT services

Undertake planning, coordination, implementation of IT projects within library district

Provide effective customer and co-worker communications
 
Master’s degree in computer science or management information systems preferred

3 years progressively responsible experience in system administration, 1 year project management experience, 2 years supervisory experience

Knowledge of emerging digital technologies, including 3D printing and scanning

Collaborative work style, good troubleshooting skills, strong ability to convey ideas and lead informal learning programs

Knowledge of computer databases and statistical analysis, Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems

Knowledge of mobile devices and tablets

Familiarity with Arduinos, RasPis and related electronics
 
$42,000 -$85,000
Library Management:
Library Director
New York

Library Director
Missouri

Branch Manager
Ohio

Director
Idaho
Plan, organize, direct operations and activities that meet needs of diverse community

Provide ongoing evaluation of departments to ensure proper implementation of program and staffing goals

Develop, sustain relationships with Friends of the Library groups and Foundation, and other community partners

Maintain, encourage community outreach with local stakeholders and elected officials to advance mission of the library

Implement joint partnerships with community organizations to provide relevant programming
6 years professional library experience, at least 2 of which have been in a senior-level administrative role

Understanding of personnel management, ability to lead an engaged and thriving staff

Ability to analyze data and information for decision making, recommendations and preparing reports

Ability to train and supervise library staff

Ability to evaluate situations, meet people easily, and work effectively with other community groups or government agencies

Public library experience, including a successful track record of reporting to a governing board, preferred
$60,000 -$125,000
(and up)
Collection Development:
Collection Development Librarian
Missouri

Collection Manager
Oregon

Collection Development Manager
New York
Assess library collection and user needs to identify, evaluate, select titles, and manage disbursement decisions regarding materials in single or multiple formats for multiple branch libraries

Anticipate demand for materials, ensure that orders are submitted to technical services department in timely, accurate manner

Utilize online vendor services, ordering tools, print reviews, other media/online sources to make selection decisions

Use statistical usage data and community demographics to determine annual collection development priorities

Provide hands-on management, oversight of acquisitions and interlibrary loan staff activities
Minimum 3 years collection development experience

Knowledge of fundamental concepts and practices of collection development and maintenance

Extensive knowledge of current, popular and classic film and documentary film titles as well as high-demand authors, trending topics in adult fiction, adult nonfiction, teen fiction

Ability to prioritize, evaluate hundreds of title options per week, select those materials most likely to create the best customer experience or fill a community need

Balance requests of local community branches against needs and priorities of library system

Experience with Innovative Interfaces Sierra integrated library system
$45,000 -$94,000
Virtual Services
Virtual Services Librarian
Illinois

Virtual Services Librarian
Alaska

Virtual Services and Media Creation Manager
Maryland

 

Virtual Service Coordinator
Maryland

Coordinate with automation services department to ensure appropriate infrastructure, software for library’s online presence

Integrate library’s web offerings, guide library’s virtual services efforts including, but not limited to, blogs, podcasts, RSS, online gaming, other web related technologies

Coordinate purchases of ebook resources, services for patrons

Collaborate with ILS network and systems coordinator to maintain, upgrade online catalog

Create content for library website and social media channels

Assist in updates to library intranet
Ability to write clear, informative, engaging web content

Experience using web design and development tools and creating and managing digital content and multimedia technologies

Knowledge of current and existing digital technologies, trends, and services

Knowledge of ebooks, established and trending social media platforms

Broad knowledge of network operating systems, hardware, software, digital content, and evolving technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and library apps


Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with customers, stakeholders, and coworkers and demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills
$50,000 -$116,000 (and up)
Technical Services:
Technical Services and Statistics Coordinator
Georgia

Cataloger Technical Services Supervisor
Colorado

Cataloging Librarian
Ohio

Oversee acquisitions, cataloging, materials flow, and integrated library system

Point person for library’s statistical management

Manage library’s website and social media presence

Catalog new books and/or media (CDs, DVDs, eBooks, etc.) and to supervise 2 FTE Technical Services staff

Maintain integrity of bibliographic database, improve quality of catalog records, ensure that accurate information is displayed to the public

Work on cross references and authority control as needed

5 years of public library service experience, at least 2 of which include leadership roles

Exceptionally strong skills in leadership, communication, organization, public library trends, statistical analysis

Knowledge of current cataloging and classification rules and standards, including metadata

Knowledge of computer software and systems, especially integrated library systems

Ability to work independently as well as with others; interpersonal skills to direct the work of volunteers

Familiarity with cataloging utility ITS MARC Online and text-based cataloging module from Innovative Interfaces Inc. (specifically Sierra) highly desirable

$40,000 -$80,000

Of course there are many special niche positions as well, such as Genealogy & Local History Librarian or Literacy Coordinator, that require a special skill set.