Reference Librarian Jobs for OPT Students
Reference Librarian roles qualify for OPT when your degree is in library science, information science, or a related field. Most positions are in universities, public libraries, and research institutions, many of which have experience sponsoring international staff and extending STEM OPT where applicable.
See All Reference Librarian JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 18+ Reference Librarian jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 18+ Reference Librarian jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Reference Librarian roles.
Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
The Reference Librarian & Assistant Professor of Law Library is responsible for the legal research instruction to all Barry Law students, teaching classes in the LLM and/or JD program, providing workshops, and instructing small groups and individuals on any topic of legal research. Additionally, this position assists law faculty with educational technology, scholarship submission and promotion, and identifying research materials. This position provides both traditional and virtual reference and research instructions to all library patrons to include students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the bar.
The Reference Librarian & Assistant Professor is both an administrative and tenure track position. However, while on the tenure track, this position is not a member of the law school’s faculty.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides reference and research assistance to library patrons:
- Consults with patrons in person or via telephone, email, or video conferencing
- Conducts reference interviews to determine the exact nature of the question
- Advises patrons about useful resources to answer the question
- Teaches the patron how to use the resources, if necessary
- Responsible for specific reference shifts as assigned by the Associate Director
Provides legal research and legal information literacy education to the Barry Law community:
- Conducts guest lectures in the first year Legal Research & Writing classes and other classes as requested by faculty
- Plans and creates research lessons using lib-guides, workshops, and video
- Provides one-on-one instruction to students and faculty
- Stays abreast of changes in legal technology
Participates in Faculty Liaison Program:
- Serves as point-of-contact to the library for assigned faculty members
- Assists and instructs faculty members with the use of Canvas, video conferencing, and other instructional technology
- Consults with faculty members about scholarship agenda and necessary research resources and help locating materials
- Consults with and trains faculty Research Assistants
Teaching:
- Teaches one or two graduate-level for-credit courses in the LLM and/or JD program
Databases and Artificial Intelligence:
- Develops instruction and programming focusing on artificial intelligence and legal technology that supports the Barry University School of Law
- Evaluates new artificial intelligence and legal technology products and services, recommends adoption of products and services, and serves as a local expert for faculty and students at the School of Law
Institutional Repository/Faculty Scholarship:
- Trains each journal’s incoming editorial board on library resources and services
- Maintains the currency and accuracies of faculty scholarship uploaded to institutional repository
- Further develops new and innovative ways to promote faculty scholarship (i.e. library website, blogging, working with marketing)
- Works with faculty to assist with submitting scholarship for publication (i.e. Scholastica, SSRN, etc.)
Other duties as assigned by the Dean of Law School, Law Library Director, Associate Director of Law Library, or Head of Technical Services.
REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS
- Both a Juris Doctor and an MLS degree are required.
- One to three (1-3) years of related experience required.
- This position requires a comprehensive knowledge of legal research and resources, expert skill level with Westlaw and Lexis, and an expert ability to learn and teach other legal information technologies, such as HeinOnline and ProQuest.
- Ability to consult with patrons, analyze advanced problems, and determine most appropriate resources to solve such problems.
- Ability to complete projects independently.
- High degree of proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, power point, email, and database management.
- Ability to operate basic library equipment, such as computers, printer/copiers, and monitors.
- Ability to converse and correspond comfortably with highly educated students and faculty.
- Ability to demonstrate outstanding customer service skills when consulting with library patrons, including patience and friendliness.
- Ability to maintain calm when dealing with challenging patrons or situations.
Benefits: Barry University offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, tuition assistance, paid time off and work/life balance initiatives such as wellness programs, spirituality in the workplace, and training and development.
Barry University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
SUMMARY
The Reference Librarian & Assistant Professor of Law Library is responsible for the legal research instruction to all Barry Law students, teaching classes in the LLM and/or JD program, providing workshops, and instructing small groups and individuals on any topic of legal research. Additionally, this position assists law faculty with educational technology, scholarship submission and promotion, and identifying research materials. This position provides both traditional and virtual reference and research instructions to all library patrons to include students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the bar.
The Reference Librarian & Assistant Professor is both an administrative and tenure track position. However, while on the tenure track, this position is not a member of the law school’s faculty.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides reference and research assistance to library patrons:
- Consults with patrons in person or via telephone, email, or video conferencing
- Conducts reference interviews to determine the exact nature of the question
- Advises patrons about useful resources to answer the question
- Teaches the patron how to use the resources, if necessary
- Responsible for specific reference shifts as assigned by the Associate Director
Provides legal research and legal information literacy education to the Barry Law community:
- Conducts guest lectures in the first year Legal Research & Writing classes and other classes as requested by faculty
- Plans and creates research lessons using lib-guides, workshops, and video
- Provides one-on-one instruction to students and faculty
- Stays abreast of changes in legal technology
Participates in Faculty Liaison Program:
- Serves as point-of-contact to the library for assigned faculty members
- Assists and instructs faculty members with the use of Canvas, video conferencing, and other instructional technology
- Consults with faculty members about scholarship agenda and necessary research resources and help locating materials
- Consults with and trains faculty Research Assistants
Teaching:
- Teaches one or two graduate-level for-credit courses in the LLM and/or JD program
Databases and Artificial Intelligence:
- Develops instruction and programming focusing on artificial intelligence and legal technology that supports the Barry University School of Law
- Evaluates new artificial intelligence and legal technology products and services, recommends adoption of products and services, and serves as a local expert for faculty and students at the School of Law
Institutional Repository/Faculty Scholarship:
- Trains each journal’s incoming editorial board on library resources and services
- Maintains the currency and accuracies of faculty scholarship uploaded to institutional repository
- Further develops new and innovative ways to promote faculty scholarship (i.e. library website, blogging, working with marketing)
- Works with faculty to assist with submitting scholarship for publication (i.e. Scholastica, SSRN, etc.)
Other duties as assigned by the Dean of Law School, Law Library Director, Associate Director of Law Library, or Head of Technical Services.
REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS
- Both a Juris Doctor and an MLS degree are required.
- One to three (1-3) years of related experience required.
- This position requires a comprehensive knowledge of legal research and resources, expert skill level with Westlaw and Lexis, and an expert ability to learn and teach other legal information technologies, such as HeinOnline and ProQuest.
- Ability to consult with patrons, analyze advanced problems, and determine most appropriate resources to solve such problems.
- Ability to complete projects independently.
- High degree of proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, power point, email, and database management.
- Ability to operate basic library equipment, such as computers, printer/copiers, and monitors.
- Ability to converse and correspond comfortably with highly educated students and faculty.
- Ability to demonstrate outstanding customer service skills when consulting with library patrons, including patience and friendliness.
- Ability to maintain calm when dealing with challenging patrons or situations.
Benefits: Barry University offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, tuition assistance, paid time off and work/life balance initiatives such as wellness programs, spirituality in the workplace, and training and development.
Barry University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Reference Librarian
Target academic and research libraries first
Universities and research institutions hire Reference Librarians most consistently and are more familiar with OPT work authorization than smaller public libraries. Large university systems often have dedicated HR processes for international employees, making authorization conversations smoother.
Lead with your MLS or MLIS degree
Most Reference Librarian postings require an ALA-accredited Master of Library Science or Master of Library and Information Science. Naming your specific degree and accreditation status upfront removes any ambiguity about your qualifications and signals you meet the core requirement immediately.
Highlight subject specializations that are hard to fill
Libraries actively recruit Reference Librarians with specialized knowledge in STEM, law, medicine, or business. If your academic background aligns with a high-demand subject area, emphasize it in applications to differentiate yourself and increase sponsorship motivation.
Ask about the library's history with visa sponsorship
Some public library systems have never sponsored a work visa, while university libraries do it regularly. Ask HR directly whether the institution has sponsored international employees before so you can gauge feasibility without wasting time in lengthy interview processes.
Pursue roles with continuing education or instruction duties
Reference Librarian positions that include instruction, curriculum support, or faculty liaison responsibilities are often classified as more specialized roles. This positioning strengthens both your candidacy and any future petition for H-1B status as a specialty occupation.
Reference Librarian jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Reference Librarian JobsSee all 18+ Reference Librarian jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Reference Librarian roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Reference Librarian role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, Reference Librarian positions at academic and research institutions typically qualify because the role requires a directly related degree, usually an ALA-accredited MLS or MLIS. Your OPT must be authorized in library science or information science, and the job duties must align with your field of study for the work to be valid.
Do Reference Librarian jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Reference Librarian roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because library science is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. However, if your degree is in an information science or data-focused program that carries a STEM CIP code, check with your DSO, as some programs qualify.
How do I find Reference Librarian employers open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists Reference Librarian openings filtered for OPT-friendly employers, saving you the work of screening postings manually. University library systems at large public and private institutions are the most reliable segment to prioritize, as they hire internationally on a recurring basis and typically have institutional knowledge of the sponsorship process.
Can I work as a Reference Librarian at a public library on OPT?
Yes, public library positions are valid OPT employment as long as the role is directly related to your degree field and you have a current, valid EAD. The practical challenge is that many municipal or county library systems have limited experience with international hiring, so expect more friction around authorization questions compared to academic institutions.
What happens if my OPT expires before a Reference Librarian employer can sponsor my H-1B?
If OPT expires before an H-1B is approved, you cannot legally continue working. Reference Librarian hiring timelines at universities can run three to six months, so starting employer conversations well before your OPT end date is critical. Some employers will file a cap-subject H-1B petition for the October 1 start date while you complete OPT work authorization.
See which Reference Librarian employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Reference Librarian Jobs