University Librarian Jobs

University Librarian jobs are open across academic institutions, public university systems, and research universities, from entry-level reference positions to dean-level leadership, with specializations in archival services, digital collections management, and instruction and outreach. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

Find University Librarian Jobs

Overview

Open roles5
Top stateNebraska
Top employerSt Thomas University
Top cityOmaha, NE
Top industryEducation
Companies hiring5

Showing 5 of 5+ University Librarian jobs

Public Health Librarian - University Libraries
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Added 3w ago
Public Health Librarian - University Libraries
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Corporate Training
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
$58k - $100k/yr
Master's degree in library and information science
10,000+

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University Librarian
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Added 1mo ago
University Librarian
St Thomas University Inc
Miami Gardens, Florida
Business Operations
Master's degree in library science

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University Librarian & Executive Director of Library Services
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Added 2mo ago
University Librarian & Executive Director of Library Services
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
Master's degree in library science
501-1,000

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University Librarian and Chief Knowledge Officer
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Added 2mo ago
University Librarian and Chief Knowledge Officer
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
Strategy & Corporate Development
Master's degree in library science
10,000+

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University Librarian
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Added 5mo ago
University Librarian
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Chicago, Illinois
Account Management
Business Development
Business Strategy
$90k - $100k/yr
Doctoral degree
1,001-5,000

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University Librarian Jobs by Experience Level

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University Librarian Job Market

Who's Hiring

St Thomas University1 open role
Austin Peay State University1 open role
University of Nebraska at Omaha1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in university librarian jobs.

  • ALA-accredited Master of Library Science or Master of Library and Information Science degree
  • Experience with integrated library systems such as Ex Libris Alma, OCLC WorldShare, or Sierra
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver information literacy instruction to undergraduate and graduate students
  • Knowledge of collection development, licensing, and management of electronic resources and databases
  • Experience with cataloging and metadata standards including MARC, RDA, and Dublin Core
  • Familiarity with assessment practices, accreditation reporting, and academic program support

Tips for Your University Librarian Job Search

Tailor your resume to collection strengths

Highlight the specific collections or formats you've managed, whether print, digital, rare books, or special archives. Hiring committees scan for alignment between your experience and the institution's collection priorities, so generic librarian resumes rarely move forward.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists university 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 ALA-accredited degree upfront

Most academic institutions require an MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited program as a baseline. Put your degree, institution, and graduation year in the top third of your resume so screeners don't have to hunt for it.

Identify roles by library type, not just title

Job postings for university librarians vary widely depending on whether the library is a research institution, a liberal arts college, or a community college. Filter by institution size and Carnegie classification to find openings where your depth of experience matches what the role actually demands.

Prepare a teaching demonstration for instruction roles

Many academic librarian searches require a teaching demo or presentation as part of the interview, often with little advance notice of the exact topic. Practice delivering a 15-20 minute information literacy session you can adapt quickly to different audiences or subject areas.

Negotiate startup funds and conference support

Base salary is often fixed by institutional pay bands, but professional development funds, conference travel budgets, and research time are frequently negotiable. Ask specifically about these during the offer stage, before you accept, since they rarely come up without prompting.

University Librarian Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most university librarians?

The most active employers for university librarians right now are St Thomas University, Austin Peay State University, and University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the most openings are in Nebraska, Illinois, and Missouri, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be strongest at large public research universities with active collection growth and expanded digital initiatives.

How do you become a university librarian?

You become a university librarian by earning an ALA-accredited MLS or MLIS degree, which is the baseline credential at nearly all academic institutions. From there, build practical experience through graduate assistantships, practicum placements, or paraprofessional library roles while you're still in school. Specializing in a high-demand area like electronic resources, digital collections, or subject liaison work makes you more competitive for tenure-track and professional positions at research universities.

Can you get hired as a university librarian without much experience?

Yes, entry-level university librarian roles do exist, particularly at smaller colleges and community colleges that are more open to recent graduates. Your best path in is to complete a graduate assistantship or practicum during your MLS program, since those placements count as professional experience on your resume. Applying for visiting librarian positions or one-year term appointments is another way to build a record before pursuing permanent roles.

What does the university librarian interview process look like?

Most academic library searches involve multiple rounds, starting with a screening call or video interview with a search committee, followed by an in-person or virtual campus visit. The campus visit typically includes a presentation or teaching demonstration, meetings with faculty stakeholders and library staff, and a formal interview with the hiring committee. The full process from application deadline to offer can take several months, so patience and follow-up communication matter.

Where can I find and apply to university librarian jobs?

You can find and apply to university librarian jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from academic institutions across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits. Checking back regularly helps, since new postings are added as positions open throughout the hiring cycle.

See All 5 University Librarian Jobs

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