How to hire an access services librarian

How to hire an access services librarian, step by step

Here's a step-by-step access services librarian hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an access services librarian job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new access services librarian
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your access services librarian job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an access services librarian for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect access services librarian also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of access services librarians.

   Type of Access Services Librarian	Description	Hourly rate
   Access Services Librarian	Librarians help people find information and conduct research for personal and professional use. Their job duties may change based on the type of library they work in, such as public, school, and medical libraries.	$16-33
   Collection Management Librarian	As a collection management librarian, one must perform the tasks associated with library services, especially in collection management. Collection management librarians monitor, analyze, and report collection management data... Show more	$19-37
   Librarian	Librarians are trained in the field of information science so they can assist people in search of information. They direct and develop information systems and programs for the public... Show more	$18-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Library Services
   • Library Resources
   • Library System
   • Collection Development
   • Library Materials
   • Course Reserves
   • Circulation Desk
   • Reference Services
   • Library Website
   • Collection Maintenance
   • Cataloging
   • Consortium
   • Reference Desk
   • Customer Service

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
   • Identify and refer items that need attention of the cataloging or conservation department
   • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your access services librarian job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An access services librarian can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, access services librarians' average salary in arkansas is 40% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level access services librarians 50% less than senior-level access services librarians.
   • Certifications. An access services librarian with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an access services librarian's salary.

   Average access services librarian salary

   $49,899yearly

   $23.99 hourly rate

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   Entry-level access services librarian salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

4. Writing an access services librarian job description

   An access services librarian job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an access services librarian job description:

   Access services librarian job description example

   ROLE: The Access Services & Acquisitions Librarian is responsible for the operation of the library circulation desk and related functions including student employee supervision, overdue materials processing, stacks maintenance, and the management of library printing services. This position is also responsible for library back office processes including the acquisition of library materials and financial transactions. This position is also responsible for managing the library's interlibrary loan and mail services.
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
   
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to accomplish each of the below duties satisfactorily:
   
   Access Services (65%)
   
   * Preside over library circulation and front desk operations.
   * Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate student employees.
   * Manage overdue materials and process fines.
   * Lead all stacks maintenance operations including sorting, shelving, shelf-reading, and shifting materials.
   * Partner with the IT department to ensure that the library's student computers and printing/copying services are performing at an optimal level.
   * Respond to patron complaints and resolve issues, such as inappropriate patron conduct, including - but not limited to - talking on cell phones and other inappropriate noise levels.
   * Assist the Director in evaluating services, developing procedures, recommending policies, establishing work priorities, and planning improvements for the library.
   * Assist the Director in managing the library's back office operations and organization.
   * Administer the exchange of library materials through the library's interlibrary loan (ILL) service, including daily mail pickup and distribution.
   
   Acquisitions (25%)
   
   * Assist the Director with the financial oversight of the library including budget preparation, invoicing, and purchasing.
   * Assist the Director with the selecting, ordering, receiving, recording, cataloging, and processing of new library resources, supplies, and equipment.
   * Assist the Director with the maintenance of financial records, preparation of reports, and compiling of statistical information.
   
   Other (10%)
   
   * Work evenings and/or weekends.
   * Compile annual library statistical reports on library usage, circulation, acquisition, patron services, and all other vital data pertaining to program evaluation and assessment.
   * Assist the Instruction and Outreach Librarian with reference instruction and chat.
   * Other duties may be assigned from time to time.
   
   EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
   
   Minimum of two years' experience in an academic library or other library setting is required. MLIS from an ALA-accredited program is highly desired.

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5. Post your job

   To find access services librarians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any access services librarians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level access services librarians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your access services librarian job on Zippia to find and recruit access services librarian candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit access services librarians, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new access services librarian

   Once you have selected a candidate for the access services librarian position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new access services librarian. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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