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Librarian skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted Expert
Kacy Lovelace
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical librarian skills. We ranked the top skills for librarians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 10.8% of librarian resumes contained library services as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a librarian needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 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 librarians use library services:
  • Purchased appropriate print and electronic reference materials, supplies and other required resources to ensure quality library services.
  • Conceptualized and delivered outreach opportunities with city and community organizations to promote library services, resources and programs.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how librarians use customer service:
  • Required excellent customer service skills and abilities to interact well with very diverse customers of all education and socioeconomic levels.
  • Supervised professional and paraprofessional library staff, administered library collections, responsible for staff training and customer service.

3. Library Materials

Here's how librarians use library materials:
  • Computerize and inventory all library material in excel form* Planned and organized the operation of fundraisers* Lunch and recess supervision
  • Cataloged (original cataloging) library materials from Library of Congress to the National Library of Medicine classification system.

4. 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 librarians use collection development:
  • Participated in assigned collection development responsibilities.
  • Performed collection development of digital assets by evaluating, ingesting and logging HD digital footage and photographs using CNN developed software.

5. Library Resources

Here's how librarians use library resources:
  • Developed and facilitated library skills and information science lessons to teachers and helped students understand how to effectively use library resources.
  • Provided basic technical assistance by troubleshooting computer/equipment malfunctions and locating databases in order to help students access all library resources.

6. Reference Services

A reference service іѕ an іntеgrаl раrt of any lіbrаrу, the аіm of whісh іѕ tо educate users on hоw tо uѕе reference mаtеrіаlѕ to hеlр thеm gеt factual іnfоrmаtіоn іn the best роѕѕіblе way аnd аt the right tіmе. Thе rеfеrrаl ѕеrvісе hаndlеѕ rеԛuеѕtѕ аnd аѕѕіѕtѕ uѕеrѕ fіnd, ассеѕѕ, аnd uѕе thе rеԛuіrеd information to mееt thеіr nееdѕ.

Here's how librarians use reference services:
  • Provided reference services, maintained library collection, made recommendations for the selection of new materials, and supervised inventory activities.
  • Provide students and faculty with reference services and instruction on information literacy and health and medical-related databases.

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7. Electronic Resources

The term ‘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 librarians use electronic resources:
  • Experience in information retrieval using library electronic resources to locate resources for patrons.
  • Compile usage statistics on enterprise electronic resources for year-end usage and cost-analysis.
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8. Library System

Here's how librarians use library system:
  • Organized a fatherhood involvement program through the library *Categorized and classified electronic library system according to Destiny specifications.
  • Cataloged all materials for resource library to support volunteer tutors and adult learners using automated library system.

9. Research Assistance

Research assistance means helping in private/academic research.

Here's how librarians use research assistance:
  • Provide research assistance lab in collaboration with the Academic Center for Excellence tutoring services
  • Oversee computer learning labs, including homework/research assistance and troubleshooting computer issues.

10. Cataloging

Here's how librarians use cataloging:
  • Project Catalog Librarian Cataloging of library material using AACR2, Library of Congress Subject Headings and Classification.
  • Directed day-to-day operations of music office in addition to cataloging and sorting music for archival purposes.

11. Library Collection

Here's how librarians use library collection:
  • Analyzed library collection for new acquisitions and weeding purposes and used professional literature and librarian resource tools to determine collection needs.
  • Helped to integrate new material into existing collection, processed returned books and materials, and maintained organization of library collection.

12. Library Policies

Here's how librarians use library policies:
  • Responded to customer complaints, taking action as necessary and developed library policies and procedures.
  • Assume responsibility for proper learning environment through enforcement of library policies and procedures

13. Interlibrary Loan

Here's how librarians use interlibrary loan:
  • Shared responsibility with one other staff member for the InterLibrary Loan Department within the library.
  • Performed online database searching, identified local information resources and assisted with access to information sources through interlibrary loan procedures.

14. Library Patrons

Here's how librarians use library patrons:
  • Provided assistance to library patrons with sourcing and location of information, answering questions and providing directions and other assistance.
  • Build close working relationships with library patrons including staff regarding support of material requirements.

15. University Libraries

Here's how librarians use university libraries:
  • Maintained the consortium services of academic libraries in Thailand and other provincial university libraries.
  • Assist students with academic research at the reference desk for the University Libraries at the Hayward campus.
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K

Kacy LovelaceKacy Lovelace LinkedIn Profile

Research and Student Success Librarian, Marshall University

Consider skills that directly apply to the job that you want in the future. Get creative with this! Improve your communication skills, cross-cultural understanding by working abroad. The hospitality industry offers many opportunities for improving these valuable skills while also teaching listening skills, time management skills, and collaboration skills. If working abroad is not an option, take a language immersion course (online or in-person) and increase your ability to communicate with patrons and colleagues and your attractiveness to potential employers.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about Librarian

List of librarian skills to add to your resume

Librarian Skills

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

  • Library Services
  • Customer Service
  • Library Materials
  • Collection Development
  • Library Resources
  • Reference Services
  • Electronic Resources
  • Library System
  • Research Assistance
  • Cataloging
  • Library Collection
  • Library Policies
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Library Patrons
  • University Libraries
  • Library Programs
  • PowerPoint
  • Library Operations
  • Reference Materials
  • Circulation Desk
  • Research Services
  • Public Library
  • Library Website
  • Research
  • OCLC
  • Reference Assistance
  • Research Projects
  • Computer System
  • Library Facilities
  • Word Processing
  • Front Desk
  • Fine Arts
  • Reference Desk
  • Library Catalog
  • Library Equipment
  • Media Management
  • DVDs
  • Fiction
  • Teen
  • Dewey Decimal System
  • Research Techniques
  • Shelve Books
  • Library Budget
  • Library Assistants
  • Library Books
  • Marc
  • Library Database
  • Mentor Graphics
  • Library Cards
  • Research Materials

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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