Sample Job Postings
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 |
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 Catalog new books and/or media (CDs, DVDs, eBooks, etc.) and to supervise 2 FTE Technical Services staff Work on cross references and authority control as needed |
5 years of public library service experience, at least 2 of which include leadership roles Knowledge of computer software and systems, especially integrated library systems |
$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.