How to hire a librarian

How to hire a librarian, step by step

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

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

What does a librarian do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your 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 a 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

   A librarian's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, librarians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of librarian salaries for various roles:

   Type of Librarian	Description	Hourly rate
   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.	$18-35
   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
   Technical Services Librarian	A technical services librarian is responsible for overseeing the technical and circulation services at a library. Typical duties for this role include supervising the technical and circulation staff, working closely with other library services, and directing the activities on library automation... Show more	$17-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Library Services
   • Customer Service
   • Library Materials
   • Collection Development
   • Library Resources
   • Reference Services
   • Electronic Resources
   • Library System
   • Research Assistance
   • Cataloging
   • Library Collection
   • Library Policies
   • Interlibrary Loan
   • Library Patrons

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
   • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
   • Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
   • Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
   • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
   • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.

   More librarian duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your librarian job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A librarian salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, librarians' average salary in arkansas is 40% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level librarians earn 48% less than senior-level librarians.
   • Certifications. A librarian with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a librarian's salary.

   Average librarian salary

   $53,096yearly

   $25.53 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level librarian salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average librarian salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$72,257	$35
   2	Washington	$69,861	$34
   3	Oregon	$69,319	$33
   4	District of Columbia	$65,339	$31
   5	Connecticut	$65,049	$31
   6	New York	$63,403	$30
   7	Massachusetts	$62,402	$30
   8	Maryland	$62,275	$30
   9	Illinois	$60,140	$29
   10	Pennsylvania	$57,830	$28
   11	Michigan	$57,519	$28
   12	Minnesota	$57,219	$28
   13	Virginia	$56,314	$27
   14	Hawaii	$53,973	$26
   15	Ohio	$53,571	$26
   16	North Carolina	$51,854	$25
   17	Iowa	$51,131	$25
   18	Georgia	$50,994	$25
   19	Colorado	$50,119	$24
   20	Texas	$49,445	$24

   Average librarian salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$126,136	$60.64
   2	Kern Community College District	$101,484	$48.79
   3	School of Visual Concepts	$98,840	$47.52
   4	Abbott	$95,468	$45.90
   5	Stanford University	$92,036	$44.25
   6	Sotheby's Institute of Art	$89,692	$43.12
   7	Arista Networks	$88,814	$42.70
   8	Lincoln Memorial University	$86,358	$41.52
   9	City of Benicia	$85,548	$41.13
   10	1 8 3 Lanes	$84,956	$40.84
   11	Ontario City Library	$84,596	$40.67
   12	City of Mountain View	$83,022	$39.91
   13	City Of San Mateo	$82,467	$39.65
   14	City of Roseville Michigan	$82,027	$39.44
   15	Yale University	$81,066	$38.97	3
   16	IBM	$80,198	$38.56
   17	ADTRAN	$79,435	$38.19
   18	Walgreens	$79,271	$38.11
   19	The University of Chicago	$78,697	$37.84	1
   20	Broward Health	$78,567	$37.77

4. Writing a librarian job description

   A 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 a librarian job description:

   Librarian job description example

   Definition
   
   Come join our team as a Librarian I! Watch our video to see what it is like to work for the City of Newport Beach!
   
   SELECTION COMPONENTS:
   
   * Application Evaluation:This position will remain open until October 26, 2022OR until 150 applications are received- whichever occurs first. Please apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time. In order for the application package to be considered complete, candidates are required to attach to theirresumeto their online application.
   * Virtual Interview: Tentatively scheduled for November 17, 2022. Passing applicants will be placed on an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
   
   The City offers an excellent benefit package and membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS) Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS and the employee is required to contribute 13% of pay toward retirement costs.
   
   Essential Duties
   
   Please viewonline job specificationfor a more detailed description of specific job duties.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Please viewonline job specificationfor a more detailed description of specific job qualifications.
   
   Experience & Education and License/Certificate
   
   A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
   
   Experience: Some library experience is highly desirable.
   
   Education: Possession of a Master of Library Science degree from an accredited college or university.
   
   License/Certificate: Due to the performance of some field duties which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
   
   Please Note:Candidates deemed most qualified, as reflected in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. The prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
   
   Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right librarian for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with librarians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit librarians who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with librarian candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 librarian

   Once you've decided on a perfect librarian candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new librarian first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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How much does it cost to hire a librarian?