How to hire an information services librarian

How to hire an information services librarian, step by step

Here's a step-by-step information 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 information services librarian job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new information services librarian
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the information services librarian you need to hire. Certain information services librarian roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 information 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 information services librarians.

   Type of Information Services Librarian	Description	Hourly rate
   Information 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.	$16-35
   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
   Children's Librarian	A Children's Librarian involves reading stories to young library users/patrons and returning books to their respective shelves. These librarians coordinate library references and services for caregivers and children... Show more	$16-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Library Services
   • Library Resources
   • University Libraries
   • Reference Services
   • Research Assistance
   • Library System
   • Interlibrary Loan
   • Electronic Resources
   • Literature Searches
   • Reference Desk
   • ILS
   • Collection Development
   • Library Website
   • Research Services

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
   • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
   • Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, information services librarians' average salary in arkansas is 41% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level information services librarians 52% less than senior-level information services librarians.
   • Certifications. An information 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 information services librarian's salary.

   Average information services librarian salary

   $50,588yearly

   $24.32 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level information services librarian salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 1, 2026

4. Writing an information services librarian job description

   An information 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 information services librarian job description:

   Information services librarian job description example

   Hello,
   
   Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Please review the following instructions prior to submitting your job application:
   Provide all of your employment history, education, and licenses/certifications/registrations. You will be unable to modify your application after you have submitted it. You must meet all of the job requirements at the time of submitting the application. You can only apply one time to a job requisition. Once you start the application process you cannot save your work. Please ensure you have all required attachment(s) available to complete your application before you begin the process.Applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.
   
   After you apply, we will review your qualifications and contact you if your application is among the most highly qualified. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to individually respond to all applicants. You may check the status of your application via your Candidate Profile.
   
   Thank you,
   Human Resources
   
   Important Applications Instructions:
   
   Please complete this application in entirety by providing all of your work experience, education and certifications/
   license. You will be unable to edit/add/change your application once it is submitted.
   
   
   Job Category:
   Faculty
   
   Organization:
   Academic Information Services-Director
   
   Location/s:
   Main Campus Jackson
   
   Job Title:
   Open Rank Faculty, Librarian - Academic Information Services
   
   Job Summary:
   Located in Jackson, MS, UMMC is the state's only academic health science center with the mission to improve the lives of Mississippians by educating tomorrow's health care professionals, by conducting health sciences research, and by providing cutting edge patient care. A major goal of the Medical Center is the elimination of differences in health status of Mississippians based on race, geography, income, or social status. UMMC encompasses seven health science schools: medicine, nursing, dentistry, health-related professions, graduate studies, pharmacy, and population health, with a total enrollment of close to 3,000 students. We offer competitive salaries for academicians in a rewarding environment for career development, situated in a region with a temperate climate and a low cost of living.
   
   Education & Experience
   The University of Mississippi Medical Center adheres to the principle of equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to race, creed, sex, color, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. This policy extends to all programs and activities supported by the Medical Center. Under the provisions of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the University of Mississippi at the Medical Center does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities with respect to admissions or employment.
   
   Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
   N/A
   
   Time Type:
   Full time
   
   FLSA Designation/Job Exempt:
   Yes
   
   Pay Class:
   Salary
   
   FTE %:
   100
   
   Work Shift:
   Day
   
   Benefits Eligibility:
   Benefits Eligible
   
   Job Posting Date:
   10/4/2022
   
   Job Closing Date (open until filled if no date specified):

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right information services librarian for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your information services librarian job on Zippia to find and recruit information 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 information 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 information services librarian

   Once you've selected the best information services librarian candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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