How To Write a Librarian Resume in 2024 (With Example)

Updated December 13, 2023

A library of books and other reading material.

Librarians care for, manage and organize the resources in a school, museum or public library and help visitors locate certain materials. To obtain a librarian role, craft a clear, relevant and error-free resume that appeals to hiring managers. Learning how to do this can help you impress hiring managers when applying for jobs.In this article, we share an example of a librarian resume, a template you can use for your own, a step-by-step guide for how to write one and the answers to some frequently asked questions about these resumes.

Librarian resume template

Use this template to help you craft your librarian resume:[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone] | [Email] | [City], [State], [ZIP]
[Online Portfolio/Professional Website (Optional)]PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[2-3 sentences or 2-3 bullet points that include your years of professional experience, accomplishments, top skills and strengths as they relate to the position and what you’re looking for in your next role.]EXPERIENCE
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results
(Action verb) + what you did + reason, outcome or quantified results

SKILLS
[Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill]EDUCATION
[Degree Type], [Major (if applicable)]
[Institution Name]CERTIFICATIONS

[Certification], [Certifying organization] - [Year earned]

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS/VOLUNTEER WORK - (OPTIONAL)

[Award, recognition or volunteer work] - [Year earned]
[Award, recognition or volunteer work] - [Year earned]

Download Resume Template

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.Related: Librarian Job Requirements: Education, Skills and Experience

Librarian resume example

Here's an example of a strong librarian resume you can reference when making yours:

Matthew Johnson

Fort Collins, Colorado | 222-454-9877 | matthewjohnson@email.com

Summary

Motivated, organized and hardworking Librarian with over eight years of proven experience storing and organizing library resources using a self-developed and innovative filing system. Strong communicator with active listening, organizational and leadership abilities.

Education

South Denver University

Bachelor of Arts in English

Experience

Fort Collins Public Library, Public Librarian

May 2017–Current

Create a comprehensive filing system to help guests easily locate resources, increasing library efficiencies by 20% in two years
Train three new Librarians on the database and library policies and oversee their performances
Conduct summer reading programs for young children featuring over 50 titles for various reading levels
Collaborate with other Librarians to develop and market a strong youth literacy program, improving membership by 35%
Provide biweekly computer literacy training sessions to community members

South Denver University, Library Aide

June 2015–April 2017

Collected late payment fees on library materials, helping the library recoup over $5,000 in fees
Provided students with information at the circulation desk to help them locate information and learn about programming
Checked library materials in and out, reducing loss by 12% in my first year

Skills

Knowledge of library databases and software systems
Organization
Time management
Attention to detail
Training and mentorship
Data entry

What is a librarian?

A librarian is an individual in the information sciences who organizes, sorts, issues and collects various resources and materials, such as films, audio files and books stored in a library. They may work in a wide variety of environments, such as museums, schools, public libraries and government institutions, to assist the public use the informational resources they carry.Most librarians use electronic resources and systems to locate materials, administer library cards and send due date reminders to guests who checked out resources. Here are a librarian's common job duties:

Sorting and cataloging library resources for visitors to access
Creating an organizational system that helps guests find certain resources
Helping visitors find reading materials and other library resources
Conducting audits on inventory items and other essential information on file
Helping candidates find and locate desired materials using library database technologies
Overseeing employee activities and budgeting efforts
Reviewing books and other resources once they're returned to ensure the library receives the right materials by their respective due dates
Understanding the library's policies and ensuring all guests follow them regularly
Recommending reference and non-fiction texts to help guests with research and fiction works in specific authors or genres

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How to write a librarian resume

An effective librarian resume showcases your relevant experience and organizational abilities in a neat and readable format. Use these steps to write an effective librarian resume:

1. Share your contact information

In the top left-hand corner of your resume, provide your contact information. Include your first and last name, phone number, email address and city and state. To emphasize your name, consider increasing the font size. You can place the rest of your contact information below your name.

2. Craft your professional summary

Include a professional summary that details your career history, skills and accomplishments. Provide information that directly relates to the role you're pursuing, especially based on the requirements described in the job posting.Mention any of your abilities that make you a valuable and strong candidate for the position. As a librarian, you can mention your previous library positions, such as a library technician or assistant, or any skills you learned from these roles that might help you as a librarian.Related: Should I Be a Librarian? 7 Reasons To Pursue This Role

3. Include your work experience

In a separate section, list your previous positions. Provide the name of your former employers, your employment dates for each role and the achievements or responsibilities you accomplished in each position.Using three to five bullet points, list each responsibility or accomplishment starting with an action verb. Consider using numbers when possible to ensure your results and details are measurable and accurate. Typically, employers prefer candidates with previous experience working in a library.

4. Include essential librarian skills

Feature a skills section that lists the soft and hard skills that make you a strong fit for the role. Soft skills are qualities or characteristics that make you a more effective librarian, like analytical thinking, approachability and leadership. Hard skills are abilities you gain through work experience, training or education, like an understanding of archival systems, competence with digital databases, the ability to navigate interlibrary loan systems, loan tracking and processes for ordering new materials.To understand which skills to include in your resume, carefully review the job description for keywords. Keywords are words or phrases a hiring manager uses throughout the requirements and preferences section of a job description. Including keywords in the skills section and throughout your resume can get a hiring manager's attention and demonstrate that you hold the qualities and abilities they're looking for in a candidate. Read more: Librarian Skills: Definitions, Examples and Tips

5. Feature your education

Share your educational background in this section of your resume. Most employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in library science. Some are open to candidates with at least a high school diploma or equivalent for a librarian position.Others may seek candidates with a bachelor's degree in library science, English or education. List the degree you earned, the academic institution you attended and, if you graduated within the past three years, the year you earned it.Related: FAQ: What Is a Library Science Degree and Why Get One?

6. Share your certifications

Include a section at the end of your resume that highlights your relevant certifications. Mention any that strengthen your candidacy and relate to the librarian position you're pursuing. Provide the name of the certification, the hosting organization and the year you completed it or the year it expires.Related: How To Find Library Jobs in the Workforce (Plus 8 Jobs)

7. Proofread your resume

Review your resume carefully to ensure it's easy to read and visually appealing. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 points and feature a professional style like Calibri. Include plenty of white space so your resume is easier to read.Review all the information you listed for relevancy and ensure all the details on your resume make sense. In addition, correct any grammatical or spelling errors. Consider reading the document out loud to help you find any problems. You can also have a friend or colleague review it and provide feedback.Read more: 27 Proofreading Tips That Will Improve Your Resume

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important skills to include on a librarian resume?

Here are some skills you can include in a librarian resume:

Verbal and written communication
Technical and library software knowledge
Organization and time management abilities
Interpersonal skills
Active listening
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Attention to detail
Research skills
Event planning
Education
Circulation procedures

What's the best resume format for a librarian resume?

Librarian resumes typically use either the reverse-chronological resume format or the functional resume format. A reverse-chronological resume focuses primarily on professional experience and starts with your most recent job. This is best for candidates with years of industry experience and previous promotions.A functional resume highlights skills and education first. This can be a good option if you're new to the field but have adequate training and a robust list of relevant skills.

Are cover letters mandatory for librarians?

Every employer has their own requirements for applications, but many require or prefer candidates submit cover letters. When crafting a librarian cover letter, try to supplement the information on your resume by sharing detailed examples of times you've used your skills and achieved positive results. It also offers you an opportunity to share why you're interested in this particular employer.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

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