How To Become A Special Library Librarian: What It Is and Career Path

What is a special library librarian and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Kerol Harrod

A special library offers materials on a particular subject and provides specialized information resources. Special libraries may be available to the public but some may not be. Those that are open to the public provide resources related to science, news, or children's libraries but may contain constraints such as excluding the public from some parts of military collections.

Special library librarians help people to find and use library documents relating to a particular field or field of studies such as law or medicine. They are designed to support their sponsoring company's mission and are focused and customized to the needs of its customers through its collections and services. Typically, these professionals have a degree and a strong understanding of both library and collections fields.

Most special library librarians have a master's degree in library science or a related field but some positions may require a doctoral degree. Special library librarians who wish to develop their jobs should consider entering specialist associations, including the Special Libraries Association, the American Association of Law Library Libraries, and the American Library Association Special library collections. The average annual salary for this role is around $58,943.

What general advice would you give to a special library librarian?

Kerol Harrod

Lecturer, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University, Texas Woman's University

Much of what I would advise involves just sticking to the basics. Show up to work on time. Have a good attitude and a growth mindset. Don't complain about menial tasks, and always be looking to learn the skills of the next position above you. I started out as the transit driver in my library system, loading and unloading boxes of books that circulated among the different library branches. I worked my way up, and now I am teaching graduate students how to become librarians. Put in the time and do the work. Networking is a huge part of success, so it's important to maintain good connections with co-workers, former professors, and fellow librarians. Finally, consider establishing a mentorship with a successful, trusted colleague who has experience in the position you want to attain. Personal connections go a long way.

ScoreSpecial Library LibrarianUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,343

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.33%

Asian 4.89%

Black or African American 6.42%

Hispanic or Latino 7.79%

Unknown 3.59%

White 76.98%

Gender

female 64.61%

male 35.39%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.5

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a special library librarian

Explore special library librarian education requirements

Most common special library librarian degrees

Bachelor's

56.6 %

Master's

28.0 %

Associate

9.1 %

Start to develop specific special library librarian skills

Skills	Percentages
Library Services	16.00%
Professional Development	9.65%
Library Resources	8.98%
Collection Development	8.87%
Library Science	8.20%

Complete relevant special library librarian training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New special library librarians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a special library librarian based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real special library librarian resumes.

Research special library librarian duties and responsibilities

Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

Prepare your special library librarian resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your special library librarian resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a special library librarian resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable special library librarian resume templates

Build a professional special library librarian resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your special library librarian resume.

Apply for special library librarian jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a special library librarian job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do special library librarians rate their job?

-/5

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1 star

Special library librarian reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Pros

I'm an academic librarian, so helping students learn about information and research, teaching classes about same, and the intellectual aspect of working with information access around colleagues who are smart and kind. I've also been a teacher and a sales and marketing executive, but librarianship is by far my most rewarding career.

Cons

The pay. The stereotypes. The people who ask, "do they even still have libraries"?

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019