How to hire a research librarian

How to hire a research librarian, step by step

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

What does a research librarian do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The research librarian hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A research librarian's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, research 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 research librarian salaries for various roles:

   Type of Research Librarian	Description	Hourly rate
   Research 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
   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
   Library Technician	A library technician is responsible for sorting books and other catalogs to their appropriate shelf for easy and accurate searching. Library technicians manage and monitor the materials borrowed from the facility, keeping a record of the borrower's information and updating details on the library's database... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Research Support
   • Library Services
   • Collection Development
   • Research Services
   • Library Resources
   • Research Projects
   • Emerging Technologies
   • Research Assistance
   • University Libraries
   • Library Operations
   • Library Materials
   • Legal Research
   • Library System
   • In-Depth Research

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
   • Order materials and perform literature searches using OCLC.
   • Utilize Microsoft SharePoint to create and maintain the library intranet portal.
   • Advise clients using factual data in the Lexis Nexis computer system.
   • Train staff for ILS use.
   • Provide web content via LibGuides.

   More research librarian duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the research librarian job description is a good way to get more applicants. A research librarian salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a research librarian in South Dakota may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level research librarian. Additionally, a research librarian with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average research librarian salary

   $51,263yearly

   $24.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level research librarian salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average research librarian salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Pennsylvania	$63,161	$30
   2	Virginia	$61,363	$30
   3	Oregon	$59,115	$28
   4	Washington	$58,800	$28
   5	District of Columbia	$58,456	$28
   6	Nevada	$58,123	$28
   7	Maryland	$56,728	$27
   8	Minnesota	$56,438	$27
   9	New York	$55,725	$27
   10	Delaware	$54,572	$26
   11	Massachusetts	$54,321	$26
   12	North Dakota	$54,107	$26
   13	New Hampshire	$50,116	$24
   14	California	$49,903	$24
   15	West Virginia	$48,901	$24
   16	North Carolina	$47,266	$23
   17	Wisconsin	$46,549	$22
   18	Indiana	$45,144	$22
   19	Georgia	$45,033	$22
   20	Ohio	$45,013	$22

   Average research librarian salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Harvard University	$78,516	$37.75
   2	Columbia University in the City of New York	$74,743	$35.93	40
   3	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory	$74,404	$35.77	58
   4	Los Alamos National Laboratory	$73,502	$35.34	50
   5	Kent Daniels & Associates	$72,428	$34.82
   6	Oregon Health & Science University	$71,080	$34.17	33
   7	Rutgers University	$69,444	$33.39	80
   8	Latham & Watkins	$67,833	$32.61
   9	University of Massachusetts Medical School	$67,258	$32.34	23
   10	University of Nevada, Reno	$66,353	$31.90	8
   11	Case Western Reserve University	$61,968	$29.79	1
   12	The University System of Maryland Foundation	$60,122	$28.90
   13	West Virginia University	$57,492	$27.64	15
   14	UW-Milwaukee	$56,131	$26.99
   15	BAE Systems	$55,544	$26.70	2
   16	United States Courts	$54,827	$26.36
   17	Tufts University	$53,583	$25.76	6
   18	The New York Public Library	$53,516	$25.73	15
   19	University of Georgia Small Business Development Center	$53,210	$25.58	102
   20	Dartmouth	$52,016	$25.01	19

4. Writing a research librarian job description

   A research 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 research librarian job description:

   Research librarian job description example

   NATIONAL LEADERS IN PEDIATRIC CARE
   
   Ranked among the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) provides the best care for kids in California.
   
   Here world-class experts in medicine, education and research work together to deliver family-centered care half a million times each year. From primary to complex critical care, more than 350 programs and services are offered, each one specially designed for children.
   
   The CHLA of the future is brighter than can be imagined. Investments in technology, research and innovation will create care that is personal, convenient and empowering. Our scientists will work with clinical experts to take laboratory discoveries and create treatments that are a perfect match for every patient. And together, CHLA team members will turn health care into health transformation.
   
   Join a hospital where the work you do will matter-to you, to your colleagues, and above all, to our patients and families. The work will be challenging, but always rewarding.
   
   It's Work That Matters.
   
   Overview
   
   Position Summary: The Clinical & Research Librarian provides support functions of basic, moderate, and complex difficulty involving the use of a variety of software applications, to maintain and manage information resources within a local network environment. Provides educational resource assistance to physicians, students, and other staff. Provides support to management in the Medical Education Program as needed.
   
   Minimum Qualifications: Medical library experience preferred. Thorough knowledge of medical library terminology and methods. Has current knowledge of medical developments and scientific literature. Computer Literacy. Strong written, verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
   
   Education/Licensure/Certifications: Masters in Library & Information Studies (MLIS)
   
   Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is a leader in pediatric and adolescent health both here and across the globe. As a premier Magnet teaching hospital, you'll find an environment that's alive with learning, rooted in care and compassion, and home to thought leadership and unwavering support. CHLA is dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures - for our patients, as well as for you and your career!
   
   CHLA has been affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932.
   
   At Children's Hospital Los Angeles, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. Your race and ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation and ability make you uniquely you - and that is just who we are looking for! So, bring the best of yourself and contribute to our mission in your own unique way.
   
   Diversity inspires innovation. Our experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients. As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate the differences of our team members.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find research librarians for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your research librarian job on Zippia to find and recruit research 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 research 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 research librarian

   Once you've found the research librarian candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new research librarian. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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 research librarian?