Head Librarian Jobs
Head Librarian jobs are open across public library systems, academic institutions, school districts, and special libraries, from branch-level leadership to director of library services, with specializations in collection development, digital archives, and community outreach programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Reporting to the Associate Director for Clinical, Academic, and Research Engagement (CARE), the Research Services Librarian provides research, reference, and instructional services to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff of UT Health San Antonio. This entry-level position is designed for a new or early-career librarian with an interest in health sciences librarianship. The incumbent supports public services such as access services and interlibrary loan, develops and coordinates outreach programs and initiatives, and assists with special projects. Working with the Collections, Acquisitions & Resource Discovery Services (CARDS) unit and the Senior Curator for Special Collections & Archives, the incumbent also supports collections and electronic resource management, student scholarly works, and Archives and Special Collections. The incumbent works alongside experienced liaison librarians and specialists in both the CARE and CARDS units, gaining broad experience across public services, collections, and special collections in an academic health science center library. The position is part of the CARE unit within the Health Science Center Libraries, which is responsible for outreach and engagement across the institution’s clinical, academic, and research enterprises. The Health Science Center Libraries support the incumbent’s professional development, including participation in the Medical Library Association and its chapters or related organizations.
Schedule:
Monday - Friday from 7:00am or 7:30am to 4:00pm - 4:30pm.
Fully on-site.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides general reference assistance and research consultations to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff by chat, email, and virtual or in-person appointments, and refers discipline-specific and complex requests to the appropriate liaison librarian.
Participates in the library’s On-Call Librarian rotation and provides backup coverage for liaison librarians’ on-call shifts.
Assists liaison librarians with literature searching and document delivery for research projects, including structured reviews, and with compiling data for departmental and faculty publication reports.
Designs and delivers in-person and virtual instruction and training sessions on library resources, evidence-based practice, information literacy, research skills, and related topics in collaboration with liaison librarians.
Creates and maintains instructional materials and online library guides in multiple formats (videos, online tutorials, guides, etc.) and identifies new topics for digital learning objects based on user needs.
Triages questions and requests from library users and resolves issues within established policies and procedures, escalating to the appropriate librarian or staff member as needed.
Plans and participates in library programs, events, and outreach activities in collaboration with the Resource Sharing & Outreach Librarian and other colleagues, including Student Life.
Provides backup coverage for the Library Services Assistants and for interlibrary loan and document delivery services as needed.
Supports collection management activities for electronic resources in collaboration with the CARDS unit, including monitoring collection expenditures and renewals and processing and tracking payments so that access to resources is not interrupted.
Maintains access and holdings information for electronic resources across library systems, troubleshoots access issues, and performs copy cataloging in the Koha integrated library system.
Receives, processes, and catalogs student scholarly works, including electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects, adds them to the Digital Archive, and manages embargoes in accordance with established procedures.
Assists with the processing and organization of Archives and Special Collections materials and supports tours of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library.
Participates in library planning activities, contributes to the development of policies, procedures, and reports, and serves on library and campus committees.
Participates in professional development activities, including professional association involvement and continuing education.
Performs additional or special duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidate must be able to meet the criteria for appointment at the Librarian level. No post-MLIS professional library experience is required.
Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program. Degree must be completed and awarded prior to the hire date (anticipated hire date January 2027).
Working knowledge of library services and practices related to reference, instruction, outreach, and collection management, ideally in an academic or health sciences library.
Knowledge of health science information resources, including databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and UpToDate, and of evidence-based medicine.
Ability to provide high-quality services to diverse library users to meet their academic, research, and clinical information needs.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated organizational and project management skills and ability to balance multiple priorities, schedule constraints, and deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team and to develop and maintain strong working relationships with library users and university colleagues.
Working knowledge of standard productivity software (Microsoft Office); citation management software; integrated library systems and library-related platforms (e.g., Ex Libris Alma, Koha, Springshare); and electronic resource systems and research platforms (e.g., ORCID).
Able to qualify for a security-sensitive position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
One (1) or more years of library experience at the staff level, or post-MLIS library experience, in an academic, medical, health sciences, or clinical library.
Coursework, practicum, internship, or work experience in health sciences librarianship, reference and instruction, cataloging and metadata, electronic resources, or archives and special collections.
Experience providing reference or research assistance, including by chat or email, or teaching library or research skills.
Familiarity with expert literature searching or systematic review methods.
Experience with cataloging (MARC, RDA) and with OCLC, Koha, or another integrated library system.
Experience creating research guides or instructional materials (e.g., LibGuides, video tutorials).
Interest in professional involvement through the Medical Library Association, its chapters, or related organizations.
Reporting to the Associate Director for Clinical, Academic, and Research Engagement (CARE), the Research Services Librarian provides research, reference, and instructional services to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff of UT Health San Antonio. This entry-level position is designed for a new or early-career librarian with an interest in health sciences librarianship. The incumbent supports public services such as access services and interlibrary loan, develops and coordinates outreach programs and initiatives, and assists with special projects. Working with the Collections, Acquisitions & Resource Discovery Services (CARDS) unit and the Senior Curator for Special Collections & Archives, the incumbent also supports collections and electronic resource management, student scholarly works, and Archives and Special Collections. The incumbent works alongside experienced liaison librarians and specialists in both the CARE and CARDS units, gaining broad experience across public services, collections, and special collections in an academic health science center library. The position is part of the CARE unit within the Health Science Center Libraries, which is responsible for outreach and engagement across the institution’s clinical, academic, and research enterprises. The Health Science Center Libraries support the incumbent’s professional development, including participation in the Medical Library Association and its chapters or related organizations.
Schedule:
Monday - Friday from 7:00am or 7:30am to 4:00pm - 4:30pm.
Fully on-site.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides general reference assistance and research consultations to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff by chat, email, and virtual or in-person appointments, and refers discipline-specific and complex requests to the appropriate liaison librarian.
Participates in the library’s On-Call Librarian rotation and provides backup coverage for liaison librarians’ on-call shifts.
Assists liaison librarians with literature searching and document delivery for research projects, including structured reviews, and with compiling data for departmental and faculty publication reports.
Designs and delivers in-person and virtual instruction and training sessions on library resources, evidence-based practice, information literacy, research skills, and related topics in collaboration with liaison librarians.
Creates and maintains instructional materials and online library guides in multiple formats (videos, online tutorials, guides, etc.) and identifies new topics for digital learning objects based on user needs.
Triages questions and requests from library users and resolves issues within established policies and procedures, escalating to the appropriate librarian or staff member as needed.
Plans and participates in library programs, events, and outreach activities in collaboration with the Resource Sharing & Outreach Librarian and other colleagues, including Student Life.
Provides backup coverage for the Library Services Assistants and for interlibrary loan and document delivery services as needed.
Supports collection management activities for electronic resources in collaboration with the CARDS unit, including monitoring collection expenditures and renewals and processing and tracking payments so that access to resources is not interrupted.
Maintains access and holdings information for electronic resources across library systems, troubleshoots access issues, and performs copy cataloging in the Koha integrated library system.
Receives, processes, and catalogs student scholarly works, including electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects, adds them to the Digital Archive, and manages embargoes in accordance with established procedures.
Assists with the processing and organization of Archives and Special Collections materials and supports tours of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library.
Participates in library planning activities, contributes to the development of policies, procedures, and reports, and serves on library and campus committees.
Participates in professional development activities, including professional association involvement and continuing education.
Performs additional or special duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidate must be able to meet the criteria for appointment at the Librarian level. No post-MLIS professional library experience is required.
Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program. Degree must be completed and awarded prior to the hire date (anticipated hire date January 2027).
Working knowledge of library services and practices related to reference, instruction, outreach, and collection management, ideally in an academic or health sciences library.
Knowledge of health science information resources, including databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and UpToDate, and of evidence-based medicine.
Ability to provide high-quality services to diverse library users to meet their academic, research, and clinical information needs.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated organizational and project management skills and ability to balance multiple priorities, schedule constraints, and deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team and to develop and maintain strong working relationships with library users and university colleagues.
Working knowledge of standard productivity software (Microsoft Office); citation management software; integrated library systems and library-related platforms (e.g., Ex Libris Alma, Koha, Springshare); and electronic resource systems and research platforms (e.g., ORCID).
Able to qualify for a security-sensitive position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
One (1) or more years of library experience at the staff level, or post-MLIS library experience, in an academic, medical, health sciences, or clinical library.
Coursework, practicum, internship, or work experience in health sciences librarianship, reference and instruction, cataloging and metadata, electronic resources, or archives and special collections.
Experience providing reference or research assistance, including by chat or email, or teaching library or research skills.
Familiarity with expert literature searching or systematic review methods.
Experience with cataloging (MARC, RDA) and with OCLC, Koha, or another integrated library system.
Experience creating research guides or instructional materials (e.g., LibGuides, video tutorials).
Interest in professional involvement through the Medical Library Association, its chapters, or related organizations.
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Find Head Librarian JobsHead Librarian Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head librarian jobs.
- Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program
- Minimum five years of professional library experience, including supervisory responsibility
- Demonstrated experience managing library budgets and allocating resources across departments
- Proficiency with integrated library systems such as Sierra, Alma, or Koha
- Experience developing and implementing community or academic programming initiatives
- Knowledge of collection development principles and familiarity with digital resource licensing
Tips for Your Head Librarian Job Search
Tailor your resume to library type
A public library head librarian resume reads differently from an academic one. Highlight community programming metrics for public roles and research support or database management for academic positions. Hiring committees notice when your experience maps directly to their institution type.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists head librarian openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Lead with your administrative scope
Head librarian postings consistently screen for budget oversight and staff supervision experience. Quantify the team size you managed and the annual materials budget you controlled. Committees want evidence you can run an operation, not just curate a collection.
Get your MLIS or ALA accreditation verified
Many head librarian postings require a master's degree from an American Library Association-accredited program. If your degree came from outside the country, have it evaluated by a recognized credential service before you apply so employers can confirm equivalency immediately.
Prepare a portfolio of programming outcomes
Bring documented evidence of programs you launched or expanded: attendance figures, grant awards secured, or circulation increases tied to specific initiatives. Search committees for head librarian roles favor candidates who demonstrate community or academic impact, not just operational competence.
Negotiate start date around budget cycles
Many library systems set their staffing budgets in spring for a July fiscal year start. If you receive an offer in late spring, the hiring manager may have more flexibility on salary or professional development funding than they will six months into the fiscal year.
Head Librarian Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most head librarians?
The most active employers for head librarians right now are University of Alabama, Library Systems & Services, and George Washington University, and the most openings are in Massachusetts, New York, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Public library systems and university libraries account for the majority of active postings.
How many head librarian jobs are remote?
About 64% of head librarian openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on leadership nature of the role. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility are digital services coordination, electronic resource management, and library consulting, where on-site supervision of staff and facilities is not required daily.
How do you become a head librarian?
Start by earning a master's degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program. Work in library positions with increasing responsibility, moving from librarian to department head or branch manager before applying for a head librarian role. Build experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and leading programs. Many institutions also expect candidates to demonstrate familiarity with integrated library systems and strategic planning.
Can you get hired as a head librarian with limited experience?
Most head librarian postings require several years of progressively responsible library work, so direct competition is difficult without it. A realistic path is to target smaller branch library systems or school library director roles, where the applicant pool is narrower and total years required are often lower. Demonstrating leadership in a specific area, such as a grant-funded project or a system-wide initiative you led, can offset a shorter overall record.
What does the head librarian interview process look like?
Most institutions run a multi-stage process. An initial screening interview, often with HR or a search committee chair, is followed by a formal panel interview with library staff, administrators, and sometimes community stakeholders. Candidates are frequently asked to present a vision statement or lead a mock program as part of the final round. The full process from application to offer typically takes several weeks.
Where can I find and apply to head librarian jobs?
You can find and apply to head librarian jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from public library systems, academic institutions, school districts, and special libraries across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 162+ Head Librarian Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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