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College librarian skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

1 min read

Quoted expert

Kerol Harrod

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical college librarian skills. We ranked the top skills for college librarians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 29.2% of college librarian resumes contained library services as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a college librarian needs to be successful in the workplace.

9 college librarian skills for your resume and career

1. Library Services

Library Services are those resources, products, and events provided and held by a library or a similar entity to an individual. Users of the library may make use of these tools, which often differ from one institution to the next but amongst which may be things like online information and phone services, literary and other classes, book clubs, referencing services, and a number of other things.

Here's how college librarians use library services:

Assisted staff in displays, outreach and promoting other library services.
Developed and coordinated library services for low-income neighborhoods impacted by ten-year construction campaign by implementing 3-vehicle Bookmobile Program.

2. Library Resources

Here's how college librarians use library resources:

Developed and facilitated library skills and information science lessons to teachers and helped students understand how to effectively use library resources.
Performed traditional librarian duties, including checking-in/out of library resources, shelving, and cataloging new library acquisitions.

3. Reference Services

A reference service іѕ an іntеgrаl раrt of any lіbrаrу, the аіm of whісh іѕ tо educate users on hоw tо uѕе reference mаtеrіаlѕ to hеlр thеm gеt factual іnfоrmаtіоn іn the best роѕѕіblе way аnd аt the right tіmе. Thе rеfеrrаl ѕеrvісе hаndlеѕ rеԛuеѕtѕ аnd аѕѕіѕtѕ uѕеrѕ fіnd, ассеѕѕ, аnd uѕе thе rеԛuіrеd information to mееt thеіr nееdѕ.

Here's how college librarians use reference services:

Provided in-person, telephone, and email reference services to library community * Conducted library and computer instruction sessions for patrons
Provided academic reference service to patrons via chat/online software Assisted students and general users with research and information service inquiries

4. Cataloging

Here's how college librarians use cataloging:

Served as liaison to Cataloging Department.
Achieved proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.

5. AV

Here's how college librarians use av:

Assisted library patrons with book and AV checkout.

6. Library Materials

Here's how college librarians use library materials:

Assisted at the Front Desk in checking in and out of Library materials -Answered inquiries of students and visitors.
Designed, developed and implemented circulation management policies, procedures and practices that facilitated the circulation of library materials.

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7. Assist Students

Here's how college librarians use assist students:

Assist students with questions related to technology and research articles.
Assist students with finding books and other resource materials Check all reading materials in and out to student and staffs.

8. Academic Programs

Here's how college librarians use academic programs:

Fostered development and implementation of library strategic plan, and collaborated with academic programs to promote and assess information literacy.
Maintained reference section that is current and meets the requirements of all academic programs.

9. Library Policies

Here's how college librarians use library policies:

Responded to customer complaints, taking action as necessary and developed library policies and procedures.
Collaborate on creating and enhancing library policies and procedures.

What skills help College Librarians find jobs?

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What college librarian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kerol Harrod

Lecturer, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University, Texas Woman's University

Knowing how to navigate AI and the types of issues that arise therefrom (copyright, plagiarism, AI hallucinations, etc.) will become more important as the technology progresses. Generally keeping abreast of new technologies and ways to access information is also key to providing good service to library patrons. Understanding the basics of community librarianship, evidence-based practice, marketing, and community outreach will be crucial to libraries and librarians looking to maintain relevance in an increasingly connected world.

Do you want to know more?

List of college librarian skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a college librarian resume and required skills for a college librarian to have include:

Library Services
Library Resources
Reference Services

Cataloging
AV
Library Materials

Assist Students
Academic Programs
Library Policies

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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