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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Showing 5 of 31+ Reference Librarian jobs
University of Idaho
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Division/College
College of Law
Department
Law Library
Position Classification
Regular Faculty
Rank
Negotiable
Tenure Status
Negotiable
Location
Moscow
FTE
1.0
Advertising Pay Range
$65,000 annually or higher commensurate with experience
FLSA Status
Exempt
Type of Appointment
Fiscal Year
Anticipated Contract Start Date
01/04/2027
POSITION OVERVIEW
Primary Faculty Position Summary
This is a full-time (fiscal year appointment) tenure-track or tenured position for the College of Law's Moscow location, at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Rank and tenure are negotiable based on how the candidate meets the criteria outlined in department and college bylaws.
The faculty member in this position will be an integral part of the Law Library and legal research faculty team, working under the supervision and general direction of the Director of the Law Library. This faculty member will be responsible for the Law Library's electronic resources management, policies, and decisions. Duties include, but are not limited to: 1) supervising the maintenance of Law Library-specific electronic databases and resources, including LibGuides, Digital Commons, and vendor study aid subscriptions; 2) working closely with the University Library to coordinate the Law Library's participation in the shared integrated library system; 3) coordinating the Law Library's compliance with Title II digital accessibility requirements.
In addition, this position provides reference and research support to College of Law students, faculty, and staff, as well as to members of the University community and the general public; and teaches Introduction to Legal Research and other potential courses. The faculty member will also conduct outreach, attend faculty meetings, and serve on committees at the University and/or College level.
The University of Idaho College of Law maintains two campuses in Moscow and Boise. The Law Library administers and manages the Idaho State Law Library pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Idaho Supreme Court. The Law Library is a member of the Orbis Cascade Alliance, a consortium of 37 academic libraries in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with access to over 28 million items.
Teaching & Advising Effort
70%
Scholarship & Creative Activity Effort
10%
Outreach & Extension Effort
10%
University Service & Leadership Effort
10%
REQUIRED EDUCATION
JD from ABA-accredited school and successful completion of at least one year of an MLIS program from an ALA-accredited school, or equivalent experience
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
- Teaching experience or related experience
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Completion of an MLIS program
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
N/A
POSTING INFORMATION
Open Until Filled
Yes
Contingency on appointment
N/A
Special Instructions to Applicants
The priority consideration date will be 10/25/26.
Required documents for application are (1) Resume/CV; (2) Letter of Qualification addressing whether you satisfy each of the required and preferred qualifications for the position; (3) List of three references; (4) Research agenda describing your scholarly interests and anticipated future research projects; (5) Statement describing any Bar disciplinary history (if applicable).
Visa Sponsorship
No
Degree Requirement Timeline
Listed degree qualification is required at time of application.
To apply, please visit: https://careers.uidaho.edu/jobs/regular-faculty-reference-electronic-resources-librarian-moscow-idaho-united-states
je-f754774b6c914e39954f472e1447f2d5
University of Idaho
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Division/College
College of Law
Department
Law Library
Position Classification
Regular Faculty
Rank
Negotiable
Tenure Status
Negotiable
Location
Moscow
FTE
1.0
Advertising Pay Range
$65,000 annually or higher commensurate with experience
FLSA Status
Exempt
Type of Appointment
Fiscal Year
Anticipated Contract Start Date
01/04/2027
POSITION OVERVIEW
Primary Faculty Position Summary
This is a full-time (fiscal year appointment) tenure-track or tenured position for the College of Law's Moscow location, at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Rank and tenure are negotiable based on how the candidate meets the criteria outlined in department and college bylaws.
The faculty member in this position will be an integral part of the Law Library and legal research faculty team, working under the supervision and general direction of the Director of the Law Library. This faculty member will be responsible for the Law Library's electronic resources management, policies, and decisions. Duties include, but are not limited to: 1) supervising the maintenance of Law Library-specific electronic databases and resources, including LibGuides, Digital Commons, and vendor study aid subscriptions; 2) working closely with the University Library to coordinate the Law Library's participation in the shared integrated library system; 3) coordinating the Law Library's compliance with Title II digital accessibility requirements.
In addition, this position provides reference and research support to College of Law students, faculty, and staff, as well as to members of the University community and the general public; and teaches Introduction to Legal Research and other potential courses. The faculty member will also conduct outreach, attend faculty meetings, and serve on committees at the University and/or College level.
The University of Idaho College of Law maintains two campuses in Moscow and Boise. The Law Library administers and manages the Idaho State Law Library pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Idaho Supreme Court. The Law Library is a member of the Orbis Cascade Alliance, a consortium of 37 academic libraries in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with access to over 28 million items.
Teaching & Advising Effort
70%
Scholarship & Creative Activity Effort
10%
Outreach & Extension Effort
10%
University Service & Leadership Effort
10%
REQUIRED EDUCATION
JD from ABA-accredited school and successful completion of at least one year of an MLIS program from an ALA-accredited school, or equivalent experience
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
- Teaching experience or related experience
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Completion of an MLIS program
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
N/A
POSTING INFORMATION
Open Until Filled
Yes
Contingency on appointment
N/A
Special Instructions to Applicants
The priority consideration date will be 10/25/26.
Required documents for application are (1) Resume/CV; (2) Letter of Qualification addressing whether you satisfy each of the required and preferred qualifications for the position; (3) List of three references; (4) Research agenda describing your scholarly interests and anticipated future research projects; (5) Statement describing any Bar disciplinary history (if applicable).
Visa Sponsorship
No
Degree Requirement Timeline
Listed degree qualification is required at time of application.
To apply, please visit: https://careers.uidaho.edu/jobs/regular-faculty-reference-electronic-resources-librarian-moscow-idaho-united-states
je-f754774b6c914e39954f472e1447f2d5
Reference Librarian Jobs by Experience Level
See All 31 Reference Librarian Jobs
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Find Reference Librarian JobsReference Librarian Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
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 Nova Southeastern University, Library Systems & Services, and Barry University, with the largest share of openings in Ohio, North Carolina, and Alabama, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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 33% of reference librarian openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 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 31 Reference Librarian Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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