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How to find a job with Collection Development skills

What is 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.

How is Collection Development used?

Zippia reviewed thousands of resumes to understand how collection development is used in different jobs. Explore the list of common job responsibilities related to collection development below:

  • Carried out collection development responsibilities for young adult materials, adult history, and CD's per budget allowance.
  • Worked with the Collection Development department to build a strong Young Adult collection.
  • Administered $8,000 Young Adult budget and outside grant money for collection development.
  • Participated in assigned collection development responsibilities.
  • Managed the Environmental Sciences and Decision Information Systems Library, at ANL providing research support collection development and Journal subscription renewals.
  • Participated in collection development by ordering materials for assigned subject areas for main stacks, reference, and periodicals collections.

Are Collection Development skills in demand?

Yes, collection development skills are in demand today. Currently, 280 job openings list collection development skills as a requirement. The job descriptions that most frequently include collection development skills are young adult librarian, children's librarian, and instruction librarian.

How hard is it to learn Collection Development?

Based on the average complexity level of the jobs that use collection development the most: young adult librarian, children's librarian, and instruction librarian. The complexity level of these jobs is intermediate.

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What jobs can you get with Collection Development skills?

You can get a job as a young adult librarian, children's librarian, and instruction librarian with collection development skills. After analyzing resumes and job postings, we identified these as the most common job titles for candidates with collection development skills.

Young Adult Librarian

  • Independent Living
  • Collection Development
  • Audiovisual Materials
  • Local Businesses
  • Reference Services
  • Library Services

Children's Librarian

Job description:

A Children's Librarian involves reading stories to young library users/patrons and returning books to their respective shelves. These librarians coordinate library references and services for caregivers and children. They choose age-appropriate and high-quality reading material, develop library initiatives, and conduct outreach programs. This position may be regarded as a stepping stone for a good career as the librarians may pursue graduate degrees. Librarians should have a sense of humor, the ability to accept failure, and be very flexible.

  • Reference Services
  • Collection Development
  • Youth Services
  • Library Services
  • Teen
  • Public Library

Instruction Librarian

Job description:

The primary role of an instruction librarian is to create educational experiences. Instruction librarians design instructional materials and develop learning objects, assessment tools, and learning outcomes in different learning environments. These librarians serve as liaisons as they meet with students and faculty for research and teaching purposes. They promote and offer training for information literacy opportunities such as database access, computer literacy, and research. It is also their responsibility to maintain awareness of library and information technologies.

  • Collection Development
  • Library Services
  • Reference Services
  • Research Assistance
  • Professional Development
  • Library Resources

Access Services Librarian

  • Library Services
  • Library Resources
  • Library System
  • Collection Development
  • Library Materials
  • Course Reserves

Adult Services Librarian

  • Adult Services
  • Collection Development
  • Adult Programs
  • Library Services
  • Reference Services
  • Library Patrons

Collection Management Librarian

Job description:

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. The librarians establish and maintain the collection management plan of the team for the rear area and conceptualize and deliver outreach opportunities with the community and city organizations promoting library services, programs, and resources. They are also skilled in electronic resources, collection development, and insurance companies.

  • Collection Management
  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Electronic Resources
  • Library Materials
  • Patient Accounts

Public Services Librarian

  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Reference Services
  • Library Policies
  • Technical Publications
  • Technical Manuals

Library Manager

  • Library Services
  • Library Policies
  • Collection Development
  • Local Community
  • Electronic Resources
  • Library Materials

Electronic Resources Librarian

Job description:

As technology becomes widespread nowadays, schools also enhance their services by using electronics in libraries. Thus, they need an electronic resource librarian who acquired enough knowledge to carry on the responsibility. They are to use electronics to provide students with book catalogs and digital copies of books while also monitoring for orders and the return of books. They also must ensure that every book donated is appropriately licensed. Any alterations of the digital operating system used, the electronic librarian can troubleshoot and report it to the administration.

  • Electronic Resources
  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Management System
  • Library System
  • Library Resources

Law Librarian

  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Reference Services
  • Research Services
  • Legal Resources
  • Legal Reference

Reference Librarian

Job description:

Being a reference librarian requires good people skills, knowledge in their respective fields, and good teaching ability to handle the varied responsibilities. Job duties include the interpretation, recommendation, evaluation, and use of information resources in order to assist library patrons with their respective information requirements. These are tasks that will just as often be conducted through phone chat and email as in person.

  • Reference Services
  • Library Patrons
  • Collection Development
  • Library Services
  • Research Guides
  • Reference Desk

Special Library Librarian

Job description:

A special library librarian is responsible for the library which contains specialized materials for commercial and government organizations. They select and order library books and protect audio-video materials, periodical journals, and magazines from damage. They are responsible for locating, filing, and cataloguing.

  • Library Services
  • Professional Development
  • Library Resources
  • Collection Development
  • Library Science
  • Reference Services

Medical Librarian

  • Patient Care
  • Health System
  • Library Resources
  • Collection Development
  • Electronic Resources
  • Medical Literature

Research Librarian

Job description:

The primary duty of a research librarian is to assist scholars, students, and other researchers in finding books and other study materials. Research librarians handle integrated library systems such as serials control, acquisitions, and cataloging. They create and maintain the library's intranet portal using Microsoft SharePoint. Part of their job is to instruct and assist staff on the proper usage of intranet catalogs and other research databases. They establish a partnership with the other librarians to design and provide information and library literacy instruction to the student body.

  • Research Support
  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Research Services
  • Library Resources
  • Research Projects

Library Director

  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Professional Development
  • Library Operations
  • Academic Library
  • Library Resources

Technical Services Librarian

Job description:

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. In addition, you will make technical decisions involving the use and management of bibliographic records based on accepted standards. As a technical services librarian, it is also your responsibility to assist in the preparation of the library's annual budget and contribute to collection and acquisition development initiatives.

  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Library Resources
  • Technical Service
  • Library Materials
  • Emerging Technologies

Librarian

Job description:

Librarians are trained in the field of information science so they can assist people in search of information. They direct and develop information systems and programs for the public. It is their job to make sure that the data is well-organized to meet every library user's needs. Their library work focuses on three main aspects, including user services, administrative services, and technical services. Typically, librarians work in schools, government, or local libraries.

  • Library Services
  • Customer Service
  • Library Materials
  • Collection Development
  • Library Resources
  • Reference Services

School Librarian

  • Library Services
  • Library Resources
  • Library Materials
  • Library Programs
  • Collection Development
  • Library Collection

Youth Services Librarian

Job description:

Youth services librarians are people who plan and conduct the library's programs and services for children. The librarians execute their tasks under the supervision of a library director. They communicate with teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and community members for library service improvement. Their job includes assisting library patrons in search of the necessary material in answering reference questions and offering reader advisory. Also, they uphold patrons' confidentiality rights and their records.

  • Social Work
  • Mental Health
  • Community Outreach
  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Library Materials

Assistant Librarian

Job description:

The main responsibilities and duties of an assistant librarian are to help librarians in acquiring, preparing, and organizing materials. Assistant librarians help in checking in and out as well as in the circulation of library materials. They execute transaction activities and patron registration. It is their job to process new books, make reservations on requested books, and maintain circulation records. They weed the collection of obsolete and worn-out materials whenever necessary. It is also part of their job to greet and attend to the needs of library users.

  • Library Materials
  • Reference Services
  • Library Services
  • Circulation Desk
  • Collection Development
  • Library Resources

How much can you earn with Collection Development skills?

You can earn up to $50,389 a year with collection development skills if you become a young adult librarian, the highest-paying job that requires collection development skills. Children's librarians can earn the second-highest salary among jobs that use Python, $49,900 a year.

Job titleAverage salaryHourly rate
Young Adult Librarian$50,389$24
Children's Librarian$49,900$24
Instruction Librarian$50,234$24
Access Services Librarian$49,899$24
Adult Services Librarian$49,862$24

Companies using Collection Development in 2026

The top companies that look for employees with collection development skills are The New York Public Library, Hawaii Air National Guard, and Northern California Power Agency. In the millions of job postings we reviewed, these companies mention collection development skills most frequently.

RankCompany% of all skillsJob openings
1The New York Public Library15%78
2Business Economic Dev Tourism9%11
3Northern California Power Agency7%19
4Emory Healthcare5%1,902
5Stanford University5%854

Departments using Collection Development

DepartmentAverage salary
Legal$66,530
Education$60,802

2 courses for Collection Development skills

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1. Develop Mobile Data Collection Solutions using Kobo Toolbox

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More organizations than ever before are embracing the switch from data collection using paper forms to using mobile devices. This is so due to the benefits of mobile data collection that include better data quality, speed and convenience, as well as being low cost. One of the best platforms for developing and deploying mobile data collection forms is Kobo Toolbox. The platform which includes a mobile app for data collection and web based tools for developing forms, aggregating data, managing data, and data visualizations, is by far the most feature rich and can be used throughout an organization's data management cycle. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:- Develop a data collection form in Kobo Toolbox- Implement skip and validation logic- Deploy the form into mobile devices- Collect and upload data- View and download data- Visualize data using reports and maps...

2. How To Develop a Culture of Collective Creativity at Work

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In this class you will learn about techniques that formed the culture of both traditional and high-performing companies in the creative industry to unleash their Collective Creativity...