Sample Job Postings
Keep in mind that job titles are fluid, positions often merge with those with similar responsibilities, and all academic librarians need management skills, as they will be expected to manage projects, departments, and community relationships. In addition, most academic librarians will be expected to provide some information literacy instruction, assist with research, serve on committees, provide collection management, conduct outreach to faculty and students, and form partnerships/collaborate with university and community groups. At large research institutions and often at community colleges or anywhere librarians are given faculty status, librarians will often be expected to conduct their own research for publication.
Use this chart and job descriptions to think about how your career goals and current skill set match up. 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.
Sample Academic Librarian Positions (as of 9/2020; click on position title for full job posting)
(Note: all jobs listed below require or strongly prefer an MLIS from an ALA-accredited program.)
| Position | Sample Duties | Sample Required Qualifications | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Curriculum Program Coordinator California |
Develop, implement curriculum materials related to academic year courses; develop assessment plan for library curricular engagement; develop plan for further work Digital Library Program can undertake for next academic year. Apply instructional design, technology skills to model effective use of digital content for remote instruction, working with instructors, faculty, and academic stakeholders; develop remote instruction support to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion. Coordinate with library colleagues to conduct outreach to, support of faculty, instructors related to online instruction. |
Strong understanding of pedagogy, learning theories; excellent verbal, written, interpersonal communication skills, strong collaboration and negotiation skills. Experience with design and evaluation of instruction for undergraduate students; demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and manage projects. Ability to initiate and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and managers. Ability to work harmoniously and as a team player, thrive in a team-based environment, and skill in fostering teamwork among others. |
$56,665 – $86,788 |
| Digital Scholarship Librarian Wisconsin |
Provide specialized library instruction to undergraduate and graduate students with a focus on courses with a digital scholarship or media-rich component. Offer workshops and consultations on digital tools and methods to faculty, students, and library staff. Serve as a liaison to departments in the humanities by providing research, instruction and collection development support for faculty and students. |
Knowledge of a variety of digital methods used to support data visualization and web publishing; understanding of current trends and methodologies in humanities research, scholarly communication. Ability to listen and offer effective solutions for students and faculty seeking guidance on digital scholarship projects, assignments. Strong commitment to patron service, support; strong organizational skills; excellent oral, written communication skills. |
Not provided |
| Librarian II – Programming Texas |
Initiates, plans and conducts variety of programs, activities to encourage use of library by students, faculty, staff, community. Works independently and as team member to develop interesting, relevant programming, events that support the library’s vision to connect to curriculum, provide broad cultural exposure, and provide STC community and general public with opportunities for engagement. |
At least two years of demonstrated library services and at least one year of supervisory experience; at least two years’ experience with library programming and at least two years’ experience with project management and/or event planning strongly preferred. Recent academic library experience also preferred. |
$39,000 |
| Open Educational Resources (OER) Librarian Nebraska |
Promote findability, adoption, adaptation, and assessment of open educational resources with faculty and staff. Support integration of open educational resources and open access textbooks into curriculum; serve as primary liaison to teaching faculty who want to adopt OER; assess needs regarding OER approaches. Chair OER grant program, serve as subject specialist to specific departments. |
Minimum 1 years’ experience with OER (coursework may substitute for professional experience). Familiarity with Canvas or other Learning Management Systems. Ability to assess, learn new technologies quickly, manage projects in collaborative environment. Ability to set, attain goals effectively. Excellent organizational, planning, interpersonal, communication and written skills. Ability to establish, maintain successful working relationships with staff and university community. |
$50,000 – $57,000 |
| Online Learning Librarian Utah |
Provides leadership, support re design, implementation of creative e-learning materials. Also responsible for creating videos, tutorials, and course modules as needed. Will collaborate closely with liaison librarians, others across library, as well as instructional designers on campus to provide guidance and expertise regarding e-learning materials, pedagogy. Serve as liaison librarian to two or more academic departments. | Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, particularly ability to explain complex concepts to wide variety of users in individual and group settings. Knowledge of current trends, issues in pedagogy for e-learning and distance education. Working knowledge of instructional technologies to support classroom and remote or asynchronous instruction. Ability to collaborate, maintaining collegial working relationships with administrators, staff, and faculty. |
$48,000 |
| Research Support and Liaison Librarian Minnesota |
Provide library liaison services to assigned departments and programs, library research support services and library instruction for College Writing program. Provide specialized reference services for assigned departments and programs, select information resources, create web content, serve as faculty liaison, provide class library instruction. Participate in Research & Learning Team meetings and projects, serve on teams working on library-wide initiatives, contribute to library profession and/or campus. |
ALA-accredited MLIS or equivalent combination of advanced degree and relevant experience. Excellent organizational, written communication skills Demonstrated experience with proposing and/or implementing actions that improve equity and inclusion in your work. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, and colleagues in a research environment. Experience delivering research assistance in a library or delivering academic or co-curricular student services and/or programs in a college or university. |
$45,046 |
| Web & Discovery Librarian Oregon |
Lead development, management of library website, ExLibris Primo discovery layer, LibGuides, other library web platforms. Improve web interface, enhance student success through solid usability, accessibility, and information architecture practices. ensure an engaging and effective experience for users. Liaise with other campus web developers, IT staff to ensure websites align with campus policies. |
Proficiency with web development tech (HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, PHP, etc.). Mastery of Web Content Accessibility Guideline 2.0 standards. Proven understanding of information architecture and usability principles; ability to interact with diverse population. Excellent oral, written, interpersonal skills; commitment to professional growth especially in realm of web development, Primo discovery, electronic resource access. 2d master’s degree or in process of completion. |
$61,000 – $64,000 |