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University librarian skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

1 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical university librarian skills. We ranked the top skills for university librarians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 17.4% of university librarian resumes contained library services as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a university librarian needs to be successful in the workplace.

12 university librarian skills for your resume and career

1. Library Services

Library Services are those resources, products, and events provided and held by a library or a similar entity to an individual. Users of the library may make use of these tools, which often differ from one institution to the next but amongst which may be things like online information and phone services, literary and other classes, book clubs, referencing services, and a number of other things.

Here's how university librarians use library services:

Developed and coordinated library services for low-income neighborhoods impacted by ten-year construction campaign by implementing 3-vehicle Bookmobile Program.
Managed circulation services and oversaw special projects involving library services, processes and resources.

2. University Libraries

Here's how university librarians use university libraries:

Worked closely with FSU Assistant Dean of the University Libraries and Undergraduate Services Supervisor.
Created and edited reports for the collection management division of the University Libraries.

3. 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.

Here's how university librarians use 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.

4. Library Resources

Here's how university librarians use library resources:

Performed traditional librarian duties, including checking-in/out of library resources, shelving, and cataloging new library acquisitions.
Developed and facilitated library skills and information science lessons to teachers and helped students understand how to effectively use library resources.

5. Library Operations

Here's how university librarians use library operations:

Managed daily library operations, ensured orderly operation and maintenance for all library materials and programs.
Develop an assessment plan to evaluate the effectiveness of library operations and resources.

6. Library Materials

Here's how university librarians use library materials:

Provide procedures, rules and regulations as to how library materials are selected, acquired, cataloged, processed and circulated.
Designed, developed and implemented circulation management policies, procedures and practices that facilitated the circulation of library materials.

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7. Academic Programs

Here's how university librarians use academic programs:

Fostered development and implementation of library strategic plan, and collaborated with academic programs to promote and assess information literacy.
Maintained reference section that is current and meets the requirements of all academic programs.

8. Library Collection

Here's how university librarians use library collection:

Developed digital and print library collections in the agricultural and life sciences.
Selected, processed and cataloged materials for specialized library collections, including law, genealogy, and government publications.

9. Library System

Here's how university librarians use library system:

Assisted with implementation of new Integrated Library System Innovative Interfaces (III) system - set up operations for cataloging processes.
Organized a fatherhood involvement program through the library *Categorized and classified electronic library system according to Destiny specifications.

10. Cataloging

Here's how university librarians use cataloging:

Update and revise cataloging procedures in department: develop and design templates for standardized and improved workflow in cataloging operations.
Use knowledge of documentation content and naming standards to determine required terminology and information format related to resource cataloging.

11. Electronic Resources

The term â€˜electronic resources' refers to reading or visual materials stored in digital format, and they only get accessed electronically. Examples include e-books, e-journals and online databases.

Here's how university librarians use electronic resources:

Produce Electronic Resources usage report.
Experience in information retrieval using library electronic resources to locate resources for patrons.

12. Front Desk

Here's how university librarians use front desk:

Perform circulation duties at front desk and provide coverage to patrons on circulation floors.
Managed front desk operations and circulation of materials.

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List of university librarian skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a university librarian resume and required skills for a university librarian to have include:

Library Services
University Libraries
Collection Development
Library Resources

Library Operations
Library Materials
Academic Programs
Library Collection

Library System
Cataloging
Electronic Resources
Front Desk

Updated January 8, 2025

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