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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Showing 5 of 7+ University Librarian jobs
- Collaborates with faculty and other academic professionals to ensure the library’s services align with curricular needs and provide students with the information resources necessary for their success.
- Leads the development, enhancement, and maintenance of digital library systems, platforms, and applications for use by campus and online students and faculty.
- Design, develop, and maintain the University Library webpages for access to digital content and services, including LibGuides.
- Provides research and reference support to faculty and students.
- Provides technology support for library digital resources, services, and platforms including analyzing and troubleshooting electronic resource access issues.
- Coordinates the delivery of library services to students, faculty, and staff who are on campus and remote.
- Stays current with emerging technologies, including the use of AI Tools.
- Works with eLearning and instructional design to ensure effective integration with the University Library.
- Demonstrates excellent organizational, time management, oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and displays an enthusiasm for ongoing, continual learning.
- Manages the library budget and spending.
- Supervises library staff.
- Works with faculty to promote the use of Open Educational Resources (OER).
- Maintains well-organized procedures for the selection, acquisition and cataloging of physical and online collections, books, periodicals, and other library materials to support SAU’s curricula.
- Manages the library’s Integrated Library System.
- Manages the library’s electronic resources, including all databases, serials, and consortia, including the annual evaluation of those resources.
- Manages cataloging, serials, and technical services.
- Maintains and strengthens partnerships and collaborative relationships with consortia and other groups, including Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, Association of Christian Librarians, Michigan Academic Library Association, etc.
- Provides leadership to information literacy instructions as needed.
- Oversees the university’s small institutional archives.
- Able to pass a background check and achieve LEIN clearance for access to correctional facilities in support of prison education programs.
- Performs additional duties as assigned and authorized by University Administration
- Collaborates with faculty and other academic professionals to ensure the library’s services align with curricular needs and provide students with the information resources necessary for their success.
- Leads the development, enhancement, and maintenance of digital library systems, platforms, and applications for use by campus and online students and faculty.
- Design, develop, and maintain the University Library webpages for access to digital content and services, including LibGuides.
- Provides research and reference support to faculty and students.
- Provides technology support for library digital resources, services, and platforms including analyzing and troubleshooting electronic resource access issues.
- Coordinates the delivery of library services to students, faculty, and staff who are on campus and remote.
- Stays current with emerging technologies, including the use of AI Tools.
- Works with eLearning and instructional design to ensure effective integration with the University Library.
- Demonstrates excellent organizational, time management, oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and displays an enthusiasm for ongoing, continual learning.
- Manages the library budget and spending.
- Supervises library staff.
- Works with faculty to promote the use of Open Educational Resources (OER).
- Maintains well-organized procedures for the selection, acquisition and cataloging of physical and online collections, books, periodicals, and other library materials to support SAU’s curricula.
- Manages the library’s Integrated Library System.
- Manages the library’s electronic resources, including all databases, serials, and consortia, including the annual evaluation of those resources.
- Manages cataloging, serials, and technical services.
- Maintains and strengthens partnerships and collaborative relationships with consortia and other groups, including Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, Association of Christian Librarians, Michigan Academic Library Association, etc.
- Provides leadership to information literacy instructions as needed.
- Oversees the university’s small institutional archives.
- Able to pass a background check and achieve LEIN clearance for access to correctional facilities in support of prison education programs.
- Performs additional duties as assigned and authorized by University Administration
University Librarian Jobs by Experience Level
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Find University Librarian JobsUniversity Librarian Job Market
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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Boston University, and Bellarmine University, and the most openings are in Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 7 University Librarian Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find University Librarian Jobs