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Public services librarian skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Kerol Harrod
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical public services librarian skills. We ranked the top skills for public services librarians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.7% of public services librarian resumes contained library services as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a public services librarian needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 public services 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 public services librarians use library services:
  • Collaborate with community agencies to provide relevant library services and programs.
  • Collaborate with the marketing department to effectively market library services.

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 public services librarians use collection development:
  • Used specialized subject knowledge and expertise to perform faculty liaison and collection development activities.
  • Performed all traditional Reference Services activities, including collection development and budget planning.

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 public services librarians use reference services:
  • Provide automated/online reference services/demonstration/usage to library users and assistance in selection and use of library materials/resources.
  • Provided in-person and remote reference service and reader assistance.

4. Library Policies

Here's how public services librarians use library policies:
  • Ensured training of DTPL personnel and work center supervisors on Library policies and functions.
  • Responded to customer complaints, taking action as necessary and developed library policies and procedures.

5. Technical Publications

Here's how public services librarians use technical publications:
  • Managed and updated the organizations Technical Publications Management System to ensure current technical information was being facilitated to the fleet.
  • Educated the dispersed technical publications librarians from each squadron on the daily maintenance and updating of technical publications.

6. Technical Manuals

Technical Manuals are informative pieces of writing, often including diagrams and images, which educate the person who is using it and assist them in learning how to control, build, fix, or otherwise handle the product or products which it speaks of. A technical manual is also known more commonly as a user manual and it typically comes with most products, especially items such as furniture, electronics, appliances, software, machinery, and even medication and medical devices.

Here's how public services librarians use technical manuals:
  • Interfaced with NATEC to ensure currency of technical manuals and changes to command Automatic Distribution Requirements List (ADRL).
  • Ensured correct and up-to-date technical manuals are used for the maintenance of the F/A-18C Hornet.

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7. Library System

Here's how public services librarians use library system:
  • Developed promotional materials for library system services and programs.
  • Directed library system s coordinated outreach program to eight targeted outreach populations, five state correctional facilities and four county jails.

8. Library Materials

Here's how public services librarians use library materials:
  • Assisted library users in obtaining information and in locating library materials.
  • Assisted students and faculty in finding needed library materials.

9. Public Service

Here's how public services librarians use public service:
  • Perform public services/reference desk duties and responsibilities during scheduled hours and/or as needed.
  • Oversee operation of the Public Services area, including staffing, training, policy, etc.

10. Public Library

Here's how public services librarians use public library:
  • Contribute to and coordinate the Friends of the Brooks County Public Library newsletter.
  • Provided reference and reader's advisory work at all six branches in the Public Library of Des Moines system.

11. Interlibrary Loan

Here's how public services librarians use interlibrary loan:
  • Demonstrate expertise in areas related to circulation policies and procedures, document delivery, and interlibrary loan.
  • Experience with Interlibrary loan procedures and implementation of electronic billing systems.

12. Aircraft Maintenance

Here's how public services librarians use aircraft maintenance:
  • Optimized and updated 3000+ aircraft maintenance publications.
  • Perform duties related to the licensing of aircraft maintenance personnel in the operation of CTPL.

13. Library Technology

Here's how public services librarians use library technology:
  • Provided instructions on the effective use of library technology, reference materials and equipment.

14. Library Resources

Here's how public services librarians use library resources:
  • Promote utilization of library resources.
  • Created twenty handouts detailing specific library resources for each of the academic programs offered by the college.

15. Electronic Resources

The term ‘electronic resources' refers to reading or visual materials stored in digital format, and they only get accessed electronically. Examples include e-books, e-journals and online databases.

Here's how public services librarians use electronic resources:
  • Teach information literacy and use of electronic resources classes to faculty and students.
  • Instructed library patrons in use of both print and electronic resources.
top-skills

What skills help Public Services Librarians find jobs?

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

What public services 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?
Read more about what experts have to say about public services librarian

List of public services librarian skills to add to your resume

Public services librarian skills

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

  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Reference Services
  • Library Policies
  • Technical Publications
  • Technical Manuals
  • Library System
  • Library Materials
  • Public Service
  • Public Library
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Aircraft Maintenance
  • Library Technology
  • Library Resources
  • Electronic Resources
  • Cataloging
  • Circulation Desk
  • Research Assistance
  • Library Management
  • Library Programs
  • Reference Interviews
  • Reference Desk
  • Library Collection
  • ILS
  • Navair
  • Maintenance Manuals
  • Aviation Maintenance
  • Research Services
  • Technical Service
  • Dewey Decimal System
  • QA
  • Library Equipment
  • FAA
  • Reference Materials
  • Action Changes
  • Library Website

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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