Reference Librarian Jobs
Reference Librarian jobs are open across public library systems, academic institutions, law firms, hospitals, and corporate research departments, at every level from entry-level to senior and department head, with specializations in research services, digital archives, and special collections. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Position Overview
Is this you? Are you interested in joining an innovative, fun, values-focused team? The Wilsonville Public Library is seeking On-Call Reference librarians. Submit your application materials today! Please ensure you complete all sections of the application and answer all supplemental questions. Additional information regarding this position, including minimum qualifications and essential job functions, can be found in the job description below.
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Reference Librarian performs professional level reference and reader's advisory assistance to the community. The Reference Librarian will perform collection development and collection maintenance duties, and may develop programming for the Library or perform other duties in support of the Library's professional services to the public. The Reference Librarian may be assigned to the Adult Services or to the Youth Services area.
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Interview customers to determine their specific information needs.
- Assists customers with locating information and resources using local and online resources.
- Assists customers with making reading and viewing choices based on interest.
- Assists customers with technology, principally as needed to access library resources.
- Identifies and orders material to serve customer needs using various selection and ordering tools.
- Identifies old or unused material to be deleted from the collection, reordering replacement items as necessary.
- Assist with the development of the Library's Collection Development Policy.
- Maintain awareness of circulation desk volumes and assist as needed and available.
- Registers new customers, checks materials in and out, places holds, and performs other routine circulation duties.
- Maintains working knowledge of library computing environment and countywide library computer system.
- Troubleshoots simple problems, calls in appropriate technical support when needed,and reports unresolved problems to supervisor.
- Acknowledge customers when they enter a city facility by greeting them with a smile and positive tone of voice whether in person, on the phone or in email.
- Gather necessary information to assist the customer. Where possible, handle issues/questions/requests without transferring customer to someone else.
- Seek out answers to questions first; if unsuccessful provide name/contact information of someone who can assist.
- Listen, understand, and clarify to gain in depth understanding of the needs to ensure they are being met.
- Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner.
- Be positive and enthusiastic when speaking with customers.
- Be courteous and polite.
- Treat customers with dignity and respect.
- Understand customer's expectations and treat them as a priority.
- Actively listen and give customer undivided attention.
- Appreciate differing perspectives, opinions, and needs.
- Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior.
- Provide prompt and reliable service.
- Respond to phone/email as soon as possible.
- Follow through in a timely manner on commitments made to customers and provide estimated timeline for completion.
- Change voicemail and email when out of office/unavailable and provide alternate contact person for customers.
- Demonstrate a "can-do" approach.
- Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions.
Qualifications
A Master's in Library Science and at least one year of related experience.
- OR -
Nearing completion (within six months) of a Master's in Library Science and two years of Library experience.
- OR -
Five years of progressively responsible experience in a professional level position within a Library.
- OR -
Any equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Knowledge of general library collection development and reference techniques and reader's advisory functions.
- One or more subject specialties such as children's literature, business resources, genealogy and local history resources, medical resources, etc.
- Ability to listen to and communicate effectively with patrons, individually or in groups.
- Ability to interpret and apply department policies and procedures in making work decisions or in providing information to others.
- Foreign language competency may be required.
- Ability to write effectively.
- Ability to interpret the information needs of a diverse community.
- Ability to perform for or teach adults or children effectively.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Ability to encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Additional Information
Position Overview
Is this you? Are you interested in joining an innovative, fun, values-focused team? The Wilsonville Public Library is seeking On-Call Reference librarians. Submit your application materials today! Please ensure you complete all sections of the application and answer all supplemental questions. Additional information regarding this position, including minimum qualifications and essential job functions, can be found in the job description below.
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Reference Librarian performs professional level reference and reader's advisory assistance to the community. The Reference Librarian will perform collection development and collection maintenance duties, and may develop programming for the Library or perform other duties in support of the Library's professional services to the public. The Reference Librarian may be assigned to the Adult Services or to the Youth Services area.
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Interview customers to determine their specific information needs.
- Assists customers with locating information and resources using local and online resources.
- Assists customers with making reading and viewing choices based on interest.
- Assists customers with technology, principally as needed to access library resources.
- Identifies and orders material to serve customer needs using various selection and ordering tools.
- Identifies old or unused material to be deleted from the collection, reordering replacement items as necessary.
- Assist with the development of the Library's Collection Development Policy.
- Maintain awareness of circulation desk volumes and assist as needed and available.
- Registers new customers, checks materials in and out, places holds, and performs other routine circulation duties.
- Maintains working knowledge of library computing environment and countywide library computer system.
- Troubleshoots simple problems, calls in appropriate technical support when needed,and reports unresolved problems to supervisor.
- Acknowledge customers when they enter a city facility by greeting them with a smile and positive tone of voice whether in person, on the phone or in email.
- Gather necessary information to assist the customer. Where possible, handle issues/questions/requests without transferring customer to someone else.
- Seek out answers to questions first; if unsuccessful provide name/contact information of someone who can assist.
- Listen, understand, and clarify to gain in depth understanding of the needs to ensure they are being met.
- Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner.
- Be positive and enthusiastic when speaking with customers.
- Be courteous and polite.
- Treat customers with dignity and respect.
- Understand customer's expectations and treat them as a priority.
- Actively listen and give customer undivided attention.
- Appreciate differing perspectives, opinions, and needs.
- Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior.
- Provide prompt and reliable service.
- Respond to phone/email as soon as possible.
- Follow through in a timely manner on commitments made to customers and provide estimated timeline for completion.
- Change voicemail and email when out of office/unavailable and provide alternate contact person for customers.
- Demonstrate a "can-do" approach.
- Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions.
Qualifications
A Master's in Library Science and at least one year of related experience.
- OR -
Nearing completion (within six months) of a Master's in Library Science and two years of Library experience.
- OR -
Five years of progressively responsible experience in a professional level position within a Library.
- OR -
Any equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Knowledge of general library collection development and reference techniques and reader's advisory functions.
- One or more subject specialties such as children's literature, business resources, genealogy and local history resources, medical resources, etc.
- Ability to listen to and communicate effectively with patrons, individually or in groups.
- Ability to interpret and apply department policies and procedures in making work decisions or in providing information to others.
- Foreign language competency may be required.
- Ability to write effectively.
- Ability to interpret the information needs of a diverse community.
- Ability to perform for or teach adults or children effectively.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Ability to encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Additional Information
Reference Librarian Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Reference Librarian JobsReference Librarian Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in reference librarian jobs.
- Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program
- Proficiency with integrated library systems such as Alma, Sierra, or Koha
- Experience conducting in-depth reference interviews with diverse patron populations
- Familiarity with academic or legal research databases including ProQuest and LexisNexis
- Ability to develop and deliver information literacy instruction sessions
- Experience with collection development, cataloging, or metadata standards such as MARC
Tips for Your Reference Librarian Job Search
Tailor your resume to the setting
Public, academic, law, and medical libraries each prioritize different skills. Highlight cataloging experience for academic roles, legal database proficiency for law firms, and community programming for public libraries. A single generic resume will underperform across all of them.
List every database platform you know
Employers filter candidates by familiarity with specific tools. Call out systems like EBSCOhost, ProQuest, LexisNexis, Westlaw, PubMed, and your integrated library system by name in your resume skills section, not buried in job descriptions.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists reference librarian openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Demonstrate reference interview skills in writing
Many hiring committees ask for a cover letter that shows how you approach a patron research query. Walk through your reference interview process concisely, because the ability to translate vague questions into actionable search strategies is the core of the role.
Prepare a teaching or instruction portfolio
Academic and public library roles increasingly require information literacy instruction. Bring a sample lesson plan, LibGuide, or workshop outline to your interview. Hiring managers want evidence you can teach research skills to groups, not just assist individuals one-on-one.
Negotiate start date around accreditation timelines
If you are finishing your MLIS degree, confirm your graduation and accreditation date before accepting an offer. Many positions require an ALA-accredited degree on day one, and a misaligned start date can complicate your hire or delay your first paycheck.
Reference Librarian Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most reference librarians?
The companies hiring the most reference librarians right now include Mercy University, Marquette University, and Barry University, with the largest share of openings in Wisconsin, Maryland, and Alabama, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Openings are distributed across public library systems, university libraries, and specialized corporate or legal research departments.
How many reference librarian jobs are remote?
About 25% of reference librarian openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with remote availability concentrated in digital services, virtual reference, and online instruction roles. Positions tied to physical collections, in-person patron assistance, or on-site cataloging remain predominantly in-person.
How do you become a reference librarian?
You become a reference librarian by earning a Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program, which is the standard entry requirement across public, academic, and special library settings. During your program, seek practicum placements in the type of library you want to work in. Build hands-on experience with research databases, library management systems, and instruction. Specialized libraries such as law or medical often expect additional subject knowledge or coursework in the relevant field.
Can you get hired as a reference librarian with little experience?
Yes, you can get hired as a reference librarian with limited professional experience if you frame your graduate practicums, library assistant roles, and relevant coursework as substantive evidence of skill. Public and community college libraries tend to be more open to newer graduates than research universities or specialized law libraries. Demonstrating fluency with specific databases and a clear approach to the reference interview process will differentiate you from other entry-level candidates.
What does the reference librarian interview process look like?
The reference librarian interview process typically involves an initial phone or video screen with HR or a hiring coordinator, followed by a panel interview with library staff and administrators. Many employers include a practical component, such as a reference scenario, a mock instruction session, or a tour of a sample research question. Final rounds at academic institutions often involve a campus visit and a formal teaching demonstration before the committee makes its recommendation.
Where can I find and apply to reference librarian jobs?
You can find and apply to reference librarian jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your background, setting preference, and seniority level, then apply directly to each listing. No third-party redirects or extra steps are involved.
See All 24 Reference Librarian Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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