Librarian Job Description

Do you need to write the job description for a Librarian and aren’t sure what it is a Librarian does? Our example Librarian job description template has you covered. A Librarian is an individual who specialises in the organisation, upkeep, and maintenance of a library.

Scroll down for our free Librarian job description.

What is in a Librarian’s job description?

The job of a librarian is to ensure that visitors to the library have access to the materials they require in order to research and learn about their chosen topics, as well as read for leisure. A librarian will organise existing books, add new books to the library, and help to update the library's database of works.

Essential parts of a Librarian’s job description:

Librarians organise books according to their library’s methods and systems. This will include adding new books, and processing returns.
They will help to assist visitors to the library with finding information or materials that they need.
Librarians will help to keep databases up to date, chase late books, issue late fees, and more.
Depending on the library, a Librarian may work across a network of libraries, or stick to their core library.

Interview questions available

Also see our Librarian Interview Questions

Librarian Job Description Example

Be clear in your description. Know the tasks of the role and ideally who the candidate should be.
This means you won’t need to read through too many CVs to find your superstar.
You might be tempted to use bullet points in this section, but resist the urge! Tell a story, show off all the cool things they would be responsible for, and get them excited to apply.
You should be more focused on your company culture and what your mission is, instead of their daily tasks.

About the role

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Deutsch

Are you an organised, detailed-oriented professional with experience organising materials according to a specific system? Can you confidently and calmly assist individuals with locating items of interest?

If so, we’ve got a role for you! We’re looking for a Librarian to join our dedicated library team, keeping all of our resources organised and up to date, while helping to issue cards to new members and providing assistance to existing members. You’ll need to be comfortable working with the public, and experienced with library organisation systems (or willing to learn!)

Does this sound like a challenge you’re up for? Apply today to start the process.

Du liebst die Ordnung und hast ein Auge für Details? Du hast ein Händchen für Systeme und besitzt Erfahrung mit der Verwaltung von Materialien? Du bist selbstbewusst und hilfsbereit, wenn es darum geht, Personen bei der Suche nach Büchern und Materialien zu unterstützen?

Dann haben wir bei [Name des Unternehmens] eine Aufgabe für dich! Wir suchen einen Bibliothekar (m/w/d) für unser engagiertes Team, der alle unsere Ressourcen organisiert, strukturiert und auf dem neuesten Stand hält.

Klingt nach einer Herausforderung für dich? Dann bewirb dich noch heute!

This section is all about your candidate's experience and responsibilities. You should outline very clearly what they should expect from the job role, not from the company itself.
You should use language that speaks to the candidate directly, use of “you”, “we” and “our” are all positives.
Hard skills in this section are important, but don’t overlook the significance of soft skills, like communication and being a team player, these can make a huge difference to the way people work alongside each other and gel professionally.
What do you believe in, and what are your core values?

Librarian Duties

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Keep in mind that not all of these responsibilities—which are simply examples of librarian responsibilities—will be applicable to your specific role. To ensure accuracy for your position, make sure to update and supplement these as necessary.

• Organise bookshelves based on library standards
• Update library database when returns are processed
• Issue library cards and onboard new library members
• Help to locate resources or titles for library members
• Order new titles
• Post updates to library website or social media accounts
• Help to train and manage library assistants
• Assist with running community events at the library

Denken Sie daran, dass nicht alle dieser Aufgaben - die lediglich Beispiele für die Aufgaben von Bibliothekar:innen sind - auf Ihre Bedürfnisse zutreffen. Bitte aktualisieren und ergänzen Sie diese Angaben nach Bedarf.

• Du ordnest die Bücherregale nach den Standards der Bibliothek.
• Du aktualisierst die Bibliotheksdatenbank und bearbeitest Ausleihen und Rückgaben.
• Du stellst Bibliotheksausweise aus und kümmerst dich um neue Bibliotheksmitglieder.
• Du unterstützt Besucher:innen bei der Suche nach den benötigten Ressourcen.
• Du orderst neue Bücher.
• Du veröffentlichst Updates auf unserer Bibliothekswebseite und in den sozialen Medien.
• Du unterstützt uns bei der Ausbildung und Einarbeitung von Bibliotheksassistent:innen.
• Du unterstützt uns bei der Durchführung von Veranstaltungen in der Bibliothek.

This section is essential to finding the candidate with the skills and qualifications that will help them in their job role.
This should be clear and concise and set boundaries for submissions.
The more information you add to your skills section, the less candidates you’ll have to sift through to find the right one.
This would waste both your time and the potential candidate so avoid being wordy as much as possible. Think about what would be an essential part of this role, and what would the applicant need to be successful in the job?

Librarian Requirements

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Please remember that not all of these Librarian qualifications will apply to your particular role. Edit the points to suit the requirements of your business.

• Experience in a role that requires filing and sorting
• Computer literate
• Experience with database management is a plus
• Strong communication skills
• Social media experience is a plus
• Excellent networking ability
• Moderate knowledge of the community surrounding the library

Bitte denken Sie daran, dass wahrscheinlich nicht alle diese Qualifikationen für Bibliothekar:innen auf Ihren Bedarf zutreffen. Bearbeiten Sie die Punkte, um sie an die Anforderungen Ihres Unternehmens anzupassen.

• Du bist erfahren im Umgang mit komplexen Ablage- und Sortiersystemen.
• Du besitzt gute Computerkenntnisse.
• Du bringst idealerweise Erfahrungen im Datenbankmanagement mit.
• Du überzeugst mit starken Kommunikationsfähigkeiten.
• Du besitzt idealerweise Social-Media-Kompetenz.
• Du verfügst über sehr gute Networking-Fähigkeiten.

Need inspiration?

Your job description will not attract talent all on its own. So when putting together your job post, be sure to show what it's like working at your company not just textually but visually!

Remember, attracting a candidate is just as much about your company culture as the job role itself. Make sure to include points that make you seem desirable too!
Add photos that show off your office space, team events and your team having a great time.
Maybe you could include a video of some team members explaining why they love coming to work, or why they like their role.
Include a grid of attractive perks with some nice illustrations. Maybe you have unlimited holidays, or you have an attractive parental leave cover - show off!
Why not embed your company's Instagram feed to give a IRL overview of the day-to-day.