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.
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Location
ST. LOUIS, MO 63130Scheduled Hours
37.5Position Summary
The Public Health Subject Librarian is a part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Business (STEMB) cohort within the Research and Academic Collaboration Services (RACS) Division in the WashU Libraries. Responsible for providing outreach to the Bursky School of Public Health and to the Public Health and Society undergraduate major in Arts & Sciences. This role develops collections in a variety of material formats to support curriculum, research, and teaching; partners with faculty to integrate information literacy instruction into the curriculum; and provides research services to faculty and students. The Public Health Subject Librarian is expected to proactively collaborate with colleagues at the Becker Medical Library to support systematic and scoping reviews.As part of the STEMB cohort, this role serves as a subject librarian to departments and/or schools as assigned, collaborates with other members of STEMB to serve shared subject areas, provides reference services in Olin Library, and conducts information literacy instruction for the College Writing program and discipline-specific courses. Additionally, this role serves on a RACS functional team to support strategic initiatives and programs across the RACS division.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Research
- Provides research services through email, chat, virtual, and in-person individual/group consultations, including participating in the on-call reference pool.
- Teaches patrons how to choose, evaluate, and use tools relevant to their research needs including databases, citation management tools, and AI powered tools.
- Identifies review service needs for Danforth campus, aligning with Becker Medical library where appropriate. Refers patrons to other librarians, library staff, and campus stakeholders as appropriate.
Teaching & Learning
- Designs, delivers, and assesses effective instruction in assigned subject areas and the College Writing program.
- Works with departments to integrate multiple literacies into curriculum and instruction, including information literacy, AI literacy, visual literacy, and data literacy, where appropriate.
- Designs and assesses effective online learning objects, including working with faculty to integrate library content into the campus learning management system. Develops and enhances teaching skills through active participation in library instruction development programming and reflection.
Collection Development
- Develops and maintains subject-specific collection policies.
- Manages, assesses, and maintains allocated collection budgets, approval plans, and physical and digital materials in assigned subject areas. Engages with departmental faculty, students, and staff as necessary to inform collection development work.
Outreach and Collaboration
- Liaises with departmental stakeholders in assigned subject areas, acting as a primary point of contact for faculty and students and proactively promoting library services, expertise, and resources.
- Maintains a deep understanding of all patron-facing library units to facilitate seamless service delivery, collaborating with these units and lending subject expertise where appropriate.
- Works closely with RACS colleagues through participation on functional teams to advance division-wide priorities and initiatives. Maintains awareness of university-wide initiatives including AI literacy programming, participating as appropriate.
Professional Development and Service
- Participates in library and/or subject-related professional organizations and committees.
- Attends or participates in conferences, webinars, and training to stay current on librarianship and subject areass Promotes the WashU Libraries to the University and St. Louis community through participation in committees and projects.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
- Normal office environment.
- Occasional travel to other WashU locations.
- Must be able to work in an environment containing possible dust and mold. Some off-campus travel may be required in support of professional development or as part of assigned job duties.
Physical Effort
- Typically sitting at a desk or table. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
Equipment
- Office equipment.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
Certifications /Professional Licenses :
Work Experience:
Skills:
Driver's License:
More About This Job
Required Qualifications:
- ALA-accredited MLIS degree (or equivalent) and/or a Graduate degree in one or more related disciplines.
- Subject knowledge of public health. Two years of experience in an academic library.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Working experience in a library or as a subject specialist.
- MLIS and/or Masters or PHD in Public Health.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Certifications /Professional Licenses :
Work Experience:
Skills:
Academic Experience, Adaptability, Analytical Reasoning, Detail-Oriented, Diversity Awareness, Flexible Mindset, Interpersonal Communication, Library Services, Oral Communications, Problem Solving, Public Health, Special Collections, Teamwork Orientation, Written CommunicationGrade
G12Salary Range
$58,400.00 - $99,700.00 / Annually The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.Benefits Statement
Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.University Librarian Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring



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.
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