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Library director skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical library director skills. We ranked the top skills for library directors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.3% of library director resumes contained library services as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a library director needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 library director 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 library directors use library services:

Conducted library services assessment, analyzed data, and utilized data in improving library services.
Developed and administered innovative educational programs to enhance college-wide library services aligning with university mission.

2. Collection Development

Collection development is the systematic and economical creation and evaluation of a library's inventory to meet the information needs of library users in a timely and cost-effective manner, using local information resources as well as resources from other organizations. Its purpose is to aid the mission of the library and involves both selecting and deselecting library resources. The library collection also includes general information resources to assist in a learning environment in subjects not covered in the classroom.

Here's how library directors use collection development:

Operated a college library including the collection development, acquisitions, AACR2 cataloging and circulation of materials.
Assessed and implemented collection development policies, library policies & procedures.

3. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how library directors use professional development:

Engaged in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences and workshops.
Provided leadership and direction to the Library staff including: identifying opportunities for professional development, and conducting performance evaluations.

4. Library Operations

Here's how library directors use library operations:

Managed all library operations, including budget preparation; managing library staff.
Manage library operations and resources according to budget guidelines and legislation.

5. Academic Library

Here's how library directors use academic library:

Managed all aspects of specialized academic library of over 30,000 holdings representing theology, Eastern Christianity and Slavic studies.
Worked to meet national academic library standards.

6. Library Resources

Here's how library directors use library resources:

Administer library resources and services within traditional, hybrid, and fully online courses in a context of continuous improvement.
Assist students, faculty, and staff in the effective use of library resources for the purposes of conducting research.

7. Strategic Plan

Here's how library directors use strategic plan:

Coordinated university-wide strategic planning process to facilitate the removal of AIU-Houston from probationary status with the accrediting board.
Represent the library in various college activities and venues such as Strategic Planning Committee meetings, convocations, and accreditation visits.

8. Emerging Technologies

Here's how library directors use emerging technologies:

Monitor and evaluate emerging technologies for possible library implementation.
Played active role on various committees pertaining to development of emerging technologies.

9. Library System

Here's how library directors use library system:

Researched and requested County and State funding 1986-87 allowing Highlands County Library System to form in 1988.
Implemented and completed an entire library systems transition to a more modern, digital-friendly library system.

10. Library Materials

Here's how library directors use library materials:

Analyzed operational costs of library materials selection and implemented centralized selection resulting in 8,000+personnel hours / year savings.
Opened and closed library during specified hours and secured library equipment Located library materials for patrons.

11. Interlibrary Loan

Here's how library directors use interlibrary loan:

Developed document delivery procedures to improve interlibrary loan services, processing over 3,500 transactions per year.
Supervised Periodicals and Interlibrary Loan staff, Circulation/Reserve staff and Evening Coordinator.

12. Library Budget

Here's how library directors use library budget:

Managed library budget and wrote successful grants including analyzing financial data.
Created and maintained library budget and used various business databases

13. 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 library directors use reference services:

Developed and implemented policies and procedures relating to reference services, cataloging, preservation, acquisition and access.
Created and implemented a program to serve distance students including off-site database access and electronic reference service.

14. Library Policies

Here's how library directors use library policies:

Collaborated with fellow members of the Library administration to establish Library policies.
Develop and implement effective library policies and procedures designed to improve operations.

15. Library Programs

Here's how library directors use library programs:

Developed ongoing library programming to draw attention and increase participation in sustainability issues in community.
Developed curriculum for district high school library program.

What skills help Library Directors find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

List of library director skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a library director resume and required skills for a library director to have include:

Library Services
Collection Development
Professional Development
Library Operations
Academic Library
Library Resources
Strategic Plan
Emerging Technologies
Library System
Library Materials
Interlibrary Loan
Library Budget
Reference Services
Library Policies
Library Programs

Library Board
Library Collection
Electronic Resources
Library Website
Public Library
University Libraries
Cataloging
Technical Service
Library Functions
Academic Programs
FTE
Policy Development
Research Services
Community Organizations
State Library

Public Service
Community Outreach
OCLC
ILS
Library Patrons
Research Assistance
Circulation Desk
Computer Lab
Library Assistants
Libguides
Community Events
University Administration
Press Releases
Statistical Reports
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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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