Job Summary The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 100 years. NYPL's neighborhood libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island-many of which date to Andrew Carnegie's visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century-are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service, and vital community hubs that provide far more than just free books and materials. The Library is seeking Senior Librarians to cultivate creative thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and resourceful users of information. Successful candidates will embody each of these four characteristics themselves. Librarians start at $55,027 per year and are eligible in 2 months for an increased salary of $60,574 based on successful job performance.Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Library Manager, the Senior Librarian:Provides reference service and resource recommendations using print, media and digital resources Collaborates with the Branch Programs and Services Department to develop, promote, facilitate, present and evaluate innovative programs to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of the community's adult and youth population including book discussions, author talks, technology classes, financial literacy sessions, arts and wellness activities, and a variety of other programs both in the Library and throughout the community Partners with the collection development team to build and maintain the library collection ensuring it is diverse, current, and relevant and meets the needs of the community Works to engage patrons with the collection in ways that allow them to follow their interests and discover new ones Encourages digital literacy and provides technology instruction Develops and maintains the layout and appearance of the library space, ensuring a safe and inviting area filled with relevant resources Develops and maintains content for social media platforms such as Library blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and PinterestMentors library staff in preparing and presenting programs Assists with circulation, fines & fees management, reserves and opening/closing procedures May take responsibility for the facility, staff and operations in the absence of the Library ManagerMaintains a working knowledge of trends in literature, educational and development needs, patron services and the profession through webinars, internal training, meetings, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships Performs related duties as required Job Summary
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 100 years. NYPL's neighborhood libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island-many of which date to Andrew Carnegie's visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century-are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service, and vital community hubs that provide far more than just free books and materials.
The Library is seeking Senior Librarians to cultivate creative thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and resourceful users of information. Successful candidates will embody each of these four characteristics themselves.
Librarians start at $55,027 per year and are eligible in 2 months for an increased salary of $60,574 based on successful job performance.
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Library Manager, the Senior Librarian:
* Provides reference service and resource recommendations using print, media and digital resources
* Collaborates with the Branch Programs and Services Department to develop, promote, facilitate, present and evaluate innovative programs to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of the community's adult and youth population including book discussions, author talks, technology classes, financial literacy sessions, arts and wellness activities, and a variety of other programs both in the Library and throughout the community
* Partners with the collection development team to build and maintain the library collection ensuring it is diverse, current, and relevant and meets the needs of the community
* Works to engage patrons with the collection in ways that allow them to follow their interests and discover new ones
* Encourages digital literacy and provides technology instruction
* Develops and maintains the layout and appearance of the library space, ensuring a safe and inviting area filled with relevant resources
* Develops and maintains content for social media platforms such as Library blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest
* Mentors library staff in preparing and presenting programs
* Assists with circulation, fines & fees management, reserves and opening/closing procedures
* May take responsibility for the facility, staff and operations in the absence of the Library Manager
* Maintains a working knowledge of trends in literature, educational and development needs, patron services and the profession through webinars, internal training, meetings, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships
* Performs related duties as required
Required Education, Experience & Skills
Required Education & Experience
* ALA accredited Master's degree in Library and Information Studies
* Public Librarian's Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York
Required Experience
* Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends for children in urban public libraries preferred
* Recruiter will add preferred languages here
Required Skills
* Strong commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage
* Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs for library patrons
* Knowledge of literature and experience maintaining a library collection
* Experience building partnerships with local organizations to better meet the needs of community users
* Demonstrated interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills
* Successfully demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
* Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously
* Strong computer and other related technology skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google applications, PCs, Macs and e-reader devices
* Demonstrated knowledge of computer services including online searching, social media, reference resources and databases
Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities:
* May temporarily oversee the library in the absence of the Managing Librarian
More...
Effective August 4, 2021, absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager. The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library's operational needs, among other factors. The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library's vaccination policy will be provided with additional instructions at the time of the conditional offer.
NYPL Core Values:
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
* Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
* Be Resourceful in solving problems
* Be Curious in all aspects of your work
Work Environment
* Public service library
Physical Duties:
* Lifting up to 15 lbs.
* Remaining stationary for periods of time
* Daily use of a computer
Physical Required?
No
Union
Local 1930
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Schedule
35 hours per week
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How to hire a special library librarian
Special library librarian hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring special library librarians in the United States:
- In the United States, the median cost per hire a special library librarian is $1,633.
- It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
- Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
- On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new special library librarian to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.
How to hire a special library librarian, step by step
To hire a special library librarian, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a special library librarian, you should follow these steps:
Here's a step-by-step special library 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 special library librarian job description
- Step 5: Post your job
- Step 6: Interview candidates
- Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new special library librarian
- Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
What does a special library librarian do?
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.
Post a special library librarian job for free, promote it for a fee
Identify your hiring needs
The special library 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 statusIs the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a special library librarian to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a special library librarian that fits the bill.
The following list breaks down different types of special library librarians and their corresponding salaries.
Type of Special Library Librarian Description Hourly rate Special Library 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. $17-34 Children's Librarian 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... Show more $16-33 Librarian 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... Show more $18-35 Create an ideal candidate profile
Common skills:- Library Services
- Professional Development
- Library Resources
- Collection Development
- Library Science
- Reference Services
- Library Programs
- University Libraries
- Library System
- Library Materials
- Public Library
- Library Collection
- Libguides
- Circulation Desk
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.
Make a budget
Including a salary range in the special library librarian job description is a good way to get more applicants. A special library 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 special library librarian in Arizona may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level special library librarian. Additionally, a special library librarian with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.
Average special library librarian salary
$52,343yearly
$25.16 hourly rateEntry-level special library librarian salary$37,000 yearly salaryUpdated December 18, 2025Average special library librarian salary by state
Rank State Avg. salary Hourly rate 1 California $63,363 $30 2 Pennsylvania $63,135 $30 3 Oregon $62,449 $30 4 Virginia $60,541 $29 5 Nevada $59,122 $28 6 Minnesota $57,788 $28 7 Utah $57,140 $27 8 Massachusetts $55,720 $27 9 New York $54,664 $26 10 North Carolina $49,375 $24 11 West Virginia $49,321 $24 12 Ohio $48,302 $23 13 Montana $44,997 $22 14 Colorado $44,863 $22 15 Missouri $44,840 $22 16 Florida $42,150 $20 Average special library librarian salary by company
Rank Company Average salary Hourly rate Job openings 1 Northern California Power Agency $75,699 $36.39 2 New York University $72,029 $34.63 3 City of Anaheim $71,862 $34.55 4 University of Nevada, Reno $63,480 $30.52 5 West Virginia University $59,226 $28.47 6 Salt Lake County $58,901 $28.32 7 The New York Public Library $53,550 $25.75 30 8 Virginia's Community Colleges $53,306 $25.63 1 9 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA $52,962 $25.46 2 10 Pueblo $52,482 $25.23 2 11 Boston University $49,460 $23.78 3 12 University of Pennsylvania $48,009 $23.08 1 13 City of Worcester $43,998 $21.15 14 Americorps $41,370 $19.89 3 15 University of Montana $38,948 $18.73 16 Columbus Metropolitan Library $26,294 $12.64 Writing a special library librarian job description
A good special library librarian job description should include a few things:
- Summary of the role
- List of responsibilities
- Required skills and experience
Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a special library librarian job description:
Special library librarian job description example
Post your job
To find the right special library librarian for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:
- Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
- Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with special library librarians they would recommend.
- Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit special library librarians who meet your education requirements.
- Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
- Post your special library librarian job on Zippia to find and recruit special library librarian candidates who meet your exact specifications.
- Use field-specific websites.
- Post a job on free websites.
Interview candidates
During your first interview to recruit special library 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.
Send a job offer and onboard your new special library librarian
Once you've found the special library 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.
It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.
To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.
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 special library librarian?
There are different types of costs for hiring special library librarians. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new special library librarian employee.
You can expect to pay around $52,343 per year for a special library librarian, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for special library librarians in the US typically range between $17 and $34 an hour.
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Updated December 18, 2025