What does a public services librarian do?
Public services librarian responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real public services librarian resumes:
- Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
- Perform original and copy cataloging of new acquisitions.
- Perform various technical services including cataloging, weeding, and authority control.
- 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.
Public services librarian skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Public Services Librarians are proficient in Library Services, Collection Development, and Reference Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Initiative, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Public Services Librarians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Services, 15%
Collaborate with community agencies to provide relevant library services and programs.
- Collection Development, 10%
Used specialized subject knowledge and expertise to perform faculty liaison and collection development activities.
- Reference Services, 9%
Provide automated/online reference services/demonstration/usage to library users and assistance in selection and use of library materials/resources.
- Library Policies, 8%
Ensured training of DTPL personnel and work center supervisors on Library policies and functions.
- Technical Publications, 7%
Managed and updated the organizations Technical Publications Management System to ensure current technical information was being facilitated to the fleet.
- Technical Manuals, 6%
Interfaced with NATEC to ensure currency of technical manuals and changes to command Automatic Distribution Requirements List (ADRL).
Common skills that a public services librarian uses to do their job include "library services," "collection development," and "reference services." You can find details on the most important public services librarian responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a public services librarian to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "librarians need to be able to explain ideas and information in ways that patrons understand." Additionally, a public services librarian resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "functioned as the liaison for the communications and science department as well as provided collection development input. "
Initiative. Another essential skill to perform public services librarian duties is initiative. Public services librarians responsibilities require that "new information, technology, and resources constantly change the details of what librarians do." Public services librarians also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "spearheaded the outreach initiative of developing libguides for entire departments viewed as underserved or underutilizing library resources. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of public services librarians is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday public services librarian duties, as "librarians must be able to work both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "demonstrated strong customer service and interpersonal skills by providing reference services to nasa/gsfc staff and one-on-one training on using online searching. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain public services librarian responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a public services librarian rely on this skill, as "librarians conduct and assist with research." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what public services librarians do: "leverage excellent technical knowledge of integrated library systems, web-based solutions, and tools to maintain a high level of productivity. "
Reading skills. Another crucial skill for a public services librarian to carry out their responsibilities is "reading skills." A big part of what public services librarians relies on this skill, since "librarians must be excellent readers." How this skill relates to public services librarian duties can be seen in an example from a public services librarian resume snippet: "provided library services from pre-school to senior citizens managed pre-school story-times ran summer reading programs"
Technology skills. While "technology skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to public services librarian responsibilities. Much of what a public services librarian does relies on this skill, seeing as "librarians use technology to help patrons research topics." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of public services librarians: "provided instructions on the effective use of library technology, reference materials and equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most public services librarians are:
- Deloitte6 public services librarians jobs
- Kelly Services1 public services librarians jobs
- Indianapolis Public Library1 public services librarians jobs
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Compare different public services librarians
Public services librarian vs. Cataloger
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, public services librarian responsibilities require skills like "library services," "library policies," "technical publications," and "technical manuals." Meanwhile a typical cataloger has skills in areas such as "library catalog," "rda," "oclc," and "online database." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Catalogers really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $40,571. Comparatively, public services librarians tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $48,601.On average, catalogers reach lower levels of education than public services librarians. Catalogers are 10.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Public services librarian vs. Circulation director
Each career also uses different skills, according to real public services librarian resumes. While public services librarian responsibilities can utilize skills like "library services," "collection development," "reference services," and "library policies," circulation directors use skills like "audience development," "newspapers," "independent contractors," and "expense budget."
Circulation directors earn lower levels of education than public services librarians in general. They're 23.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Public services librarian vs. Library supervisor
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a public services librarian is likely to be skilled in "technical publications," "technical manuals," "public service," and "public library," while a typical library supervisor is skilled in "library patrons," "library operations," "customer service," and "library facilities."
Most library supervisors achieve a lower degree level compared to public services librarians. For example, they're 18.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Public services librarian vs. Library director
Types of public services librarian
Updated January 8, 2025
