Library jobs offer rewarding careers for information professionals passionate about connecting people with knowledge and resources. Whether you're pursuing public librarian positions, academic library roles, or specialized archivist jobs, the field combines service, technology, and intellectual curiosity.
Library careers have evolved beyond traditional book lending to encompass digital resources, community programming, research support, and information management. From helping patrons navigate databases to preserving historical collections, librarian positions demand diverse skills and adaptability.
Browse our latest library jobs from public libraries, universities, corporations, and cultural institutions. Keep reading to explore the responsibilities, requirements, and career paths available in library positions.
What does a Librarian do?
Library jobs focus on organizing, preserving, and providing access to information resources while serving diverse patron communities. Librarians help users find information, develop collections, manage digital systems, and create programs that promote literacy and learning.
Library careers involve work across multiple areas:
Librarian positions exist across various settings—public libraries serve community members of all ages, academic libraries support students and researchers, and special libraries serve organizations in law, medicine, business, and government.
Types of library jobs and specializations
Library careers encompass diverse roles across different institution types and specializations:
Community services, programming, general reference
Research support, instruction, scholarly resources
K-12 education, literacy programs, curriculum support
Law, medical, corporate, government libraries
Historical records, preservation, special collections
Circulation, technical services, patron support
Digital librarian jobs and data management positions represent growing specializations as libraries expand their technology services and digital collections.
What are the responsibilities of library jobs?
Librarian positions involve a mix of public service, collection management, and administrative duties. Responsibilities vary by role and institution type.
📚 Reference Services
Answering patron questions, research consultations, database instruction
📖 Collection Development
Selecting materials, managing budgets, weeding outdated resources
🏷️ Cataloging & Metadata
Organizing resources, creating records, maintaining databases
🎓 Instruction & Outreach
Teaching research skills, community programs, literacy initiatives
Public library jobs often emphasize community engagement and diverse programming. Academic librarian positions focus on research support and information literacy instruction. Special library careers may involve competitive intelligence, legal research, or medical information services.
What are the requirements for library jobs?
📚 Education Requirements
Most professional librarian jobs require a Master's degree in Library Science (MLS/MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program. Library technician and assistant positions may require an associate degree or relevant experience. School librarian positions often require teaching certification in addition to library credentials.
Essential Skills
Many library careers also value subject expertise in areas like law, medicine, business, or technology. Bilingual skills are increasingly sought for public library positions serving diverse communities.
Technology in modern library careers
Library jobs increasingly require technology skills as institutions expand digital services. Modern librarians manage integrated library systems, digital collections, and emerging technologies.
Library Systems
Digital Resources
Digital librarian jobs focus on managing electronic resources, institutional repositories, and digital preservation. Data librarianship is an emerging specialization supporting research data management and open science initiatives.
Where do library professionals work?
Public
City, county, and regional library systems
Academic
Universities, colleges, community colleges
Special
Law firms, hospitals, corporations, government
Library jobs also exist in museums, archives, historical societies, and nonprofit organizations. Some librarian positions offer remote work opportunities, particularly in digital services, cataloging, and virtual reference roles.
Salary expectations for library jobs
Library careers offer stable employment with salaries varying by position type, institution, location, and experience level.
$28K – $38K
$35K – $48K
$50K – $70K
$75K – $120K+
Special librarian positions in law, medical, and corporate settings often command higher salaries. Academic librarian jobs at universities may include faculty status and benefits.
Career growth in library jobs
Library careers offer advancement opportunities through specialization, management, and leadership roles.
Typical Career Progression:
Many library professionals specialize in areas like youth services, digital initiatives, archives, or subject-specific collections. Professional development through organizations like ALA (American Library Association) supports career advancement.
How to start a library career
📚 Education Path
Pursue an MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program for professional librarian positions
💼 Gain Experience
Start as a library assistant or volunteer while completing your degree
🎯 Specialize
Develop expertise in youth services, technology, archives, or a subject area
🤝 Network
Join ALA, attend conferences, connect with library professionals