A strong resume is important if you want to snag a great job as a librarian. This document does much more than list your skills and experience. When well-crafted, your resume demonstrates the impact of your work at other libraries and why you are a valuable hire. To make sure you always present your strongest capabilities, it is smart to have more than one version of your resume. While your in-depth knowledge of children’s books may make you a great candidate for a library seeking a new children’s librarian, you may apply for jobs that want candidates with more experience with research and databases. Tailoring your resume for job descriptions allows you to emphasize different areas of your experience. If you’re not sure how to get started, take a look at our librarian resume sample included below. By reading over this document and the accompanying writing tips, you can see how this resume sample is designed for a specific job description.
Librarian Resume
Sarah Alderman
Cary, North Carolina, 11111 • salderman@anymail • 555-555-5678
Cary, North Carolina, 11111 • salderman@anymail • 555-555-5678
Summary
Detail-oriented librarian with experience designing engaging and effective children’s programming. Passionate about pairing readers with great books and an expert on new releases for young readers. Knowledgeable about grant writing, securing library funding, and acquiring new books.
Skills
- Dewey Decimal System
- Database maintenance and research
- Springshare LibGuides
- Structured query language
- Active listening
- Excellent oral communication
- Grant writing
- Fluent in Spanish
Work Experience
Library Director, 2014-present
Greater Raleigh Public Library, Raleigh, NC
Greater Raleigh Public Library, Raleigh, NC
- Manage library funds to oversee expenditures to ensure most effective use of financial budget
- Identify new public and private sources of library funding
- Collaborate with board to create policies
- Establish goals for library and plans for accomplishing them
- Chair committees to implement new programming
- Hire new librarians and oversee training
- Increased library collection by 700 books
- Secured $25,000 additional funding through private donors
Children’s Librarian, 2010-2014
Durham Public Library, Durham, NC
Durham Public Library, Durham, NC
- Evaluated quality of children’s books and other materials
- Guided children to age-appropriate, engaging stories and informed parents of new releases
- Lead weekly story time for preschool children
- Coordinated summer reading program that successfully encouraged 50 children read at least 25 books
- Organized new programming and identified programs that most engaged children
- Checked out and processed library materials
- Acquired new releases in children’s literature, prioritizing titles by quality, content, and/or popularity
- Attended conferences and seminars to enhance children’s programming
School Librarian, 2008-2010
East Garner Middle School, Garner, NC
East Garner Middle School, Garner, NC
- Assisted students with database research
- Redesigned library layout so students could find materials quickly and easily
- Collaborated with teachers to enhance research opportunities and materials, and wrote research guides to enhance classroom materials
- Educated students about library resources and technology, and demonstrated how to use online catalogue
- Prepared reports for school administration
- Assessed new middle grade and young adult releases and purchased quality books
- Updated library catalogue
- Increased number of books checked out by 30%
Education
Master of Library Science - 2008
University of North Carolina, North Carolina
Bachelor of Arts in History - 2006
East Carolina University, North Carolina
Graduated magna cum laude
University of North Carolina, North Carolina
Bachelor of Arts in History - 2006
East Carolina University, North Carolina
Graduated magna cum laude
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
• American Library Association
• American Association of School Librarians
• American Association of School Librarians
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Is This a Good Accounting Clerk Resume? Let’s Check
Does the librarian resume sample use metrics to demonstrate accomplishments?
Yes, it does. This jobseeker emphasizes her contributions to a library by listing how much money she has brought in and the percentage by which she has increased readership. These numbers play a vital role in demonstrating how this jobseeker can provide value. Including metrics in your own resume is a great strategy to show hiring managers the full impact of your work.
Does the skills list include keywords related to work as a librarian?
Refer back to the skills section of the librarian resume sample. You can see that among the administrative and technical skills, this jobseeker has included terms such as “active listening” and “fluent in Spanish.” This wording suggests that these bullet points are keywords which the jobseeker identified in the job description. Hiring managers sometimes incorporate keywords into a job description, and these are usually skills or experience they are specifically seeking. By incorporating these words and phrases into your resume, this document will stand out if hiring managers use an applicant tracking system. Additionally, keywords can help you tailor your work history to point out your experience in different areas.
Is the librarian resume sample tailored for a specific job?
Yes, it is. Go back to the work experience section. While the jobseeker has included some of her everyday tasks, such as helping readers find books, she emphasizes her experience developing new programming. This suggests that she is applying for a position that requires experience with children’s programming and expanding a library’s impact on the community. By including her involvement in developing and implementing programs and goals for libraries, this jobseeker demonstrates that she has the skills and experience hiring managers are seeking, along with a track record of success.
Does the librarian resume sample demonstrate the jobseeker’s knowledge of books and library resources?
Absolutely. In her work experience, this jobseeker explains that she is aware of trends in children’s literature and ensures that the library has the books young readers are looking for. If you refer to the skills section, you will see that this jobseeker listed grant writing as one of her capabilities. This skill demonstrates that the jobseeker knows how to find and bring in additional funding.
Does the jobseeker use effective language?
She certainly does. You can see that the jobseeker does not begin her bullet points with phrases such as “worked” or “responsible for.” Instead, she uses strong words such as “collaborated” and “acquired.” Strong action verbs better communicate the impact of your work and also help hiring managers stay engaged in your resume.
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The Most Important Librarian Resume Sample Takeaways
After reading the librarian resume sample, you can understand what an effective resume looks like. When you sit down to write your own version of this document, remember to use strong action verbs which can make you stand out. Tailor the information in your work history to point out different parts of your experience and incorporate the keywords you find in the job description. Additionally, remember to include numbers to demonstrate your accomplishments. Our resume builder can provide additional assistance as you write.
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