Assistant Librarian Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Assistant Librarian roles at U.S. public libraries, academic institutions, and special libraries can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a Master of Library Science degree. Employers in this field file Labor Condition Applications with the DOL, and some academic institutions hold cap-exempt status, which removes the annual lottery from your path entirely.
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Assistant Librarian - CPM
Department
Center for Popular Music
Salary
$53,954 - $66,815; commensurate with experience
Job Summary/Basic Function
Assistant Librarian at Center for Popular Music (CPM). Primary responsibilities include front desk reference services; library program development; Research Description Access (RDA) and Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) cataloging of reference and research materials to include various formats (books, periodicals, vertical files, etc.); library collection maintenance and development suggestions; shelf-reading and re-shelving of library materials; maintenance of vertical file materials; maintenance of reading room space; assisting with instruction; assisting with social media and event promotions; creation of event promotional materials; and assisting with the general operations of CPM and performing other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.
Required Education
American Library Association accredited master's degree required.
Required Related Experience
One year full-time experience in a library or special collections institution required.
Desirable Related Experience
Two years full-time work experience in a research library or special collections institution preferred. Experience working with music-related materials preferred. Experience working with online music databases and resources preferred.
Documents Needed to Apply
Cover Letter & CV/Resume Required
Benefits
MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
- 13 paid University holidays
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
- Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents
MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424.
MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.
For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email hrs@mtsu.edu.
Application Review Date: For best consideration, please apply by November 13, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the listed application review date of November 20, 2026.
Job Title
Assistant Librarian - CPM
Department
Center for Popular Music
Salary
$53,954 - $66,815; commensurate with experience
Job Summary/Basic Function
Assistant Librarian at Center for Popular Music (CPM). Primary responsibilities include front desk reference services; library program development; Research Description Access (RDA) and Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) cataloging of reference and research materials to include various formats (books, periodicals, vertical files, etc.); library collection maintenance and development suggestions; shelf-reading and re-shelving of library materials; maintenance of vertical file materials; maintenance of reading room space; assisting with instruction; assisting with social media and event promotions; creation of event promotional materials; and assisting with the general operations of CPM and performing other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.
Required Education
American Library Association accredited master's degree required.
Required Related Experience
One year full-time experience in a library or special collections institution required.
Desirable Related Experience
Two years full-time work experience in a research library or special collections institution preferred. Experience working with music-related materials preferred. Experience working with online music databases and resources preferred.
Documents Needed to Apply
Cover Letter & CV/Resume Required
Benefits
MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty
- 13 paid University holidays
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
- Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents
MTSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424.
MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus.
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered.
For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email hrs@mtsu.edu.
Application Review Date: For best consideration, please apply by November 13, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the listed application review date of November 20, 2026.
See all Assistant Librarian Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Assistant Librarian roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Assistant Librarian Jobs
Verify your MLS meets specialty occupation
An Assistant Librarian role qualifies as a specialty occupation only when the employer requires a Master of Library Science or equivalent graduate degree. If a posting says 'preferred' rather than 'required,' the H-1B petition is vulnerable to an RFE from USCIS.
Target cap-exempt institutions first
Universities, nonprofit research libraries, and government libraries attached to higher education are often cap-exempt employers. Filing through one of these sidesteps the annual H-1B lottery entirely, letting you start work as soon as USCIS approves the petition.
Search verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Library employers vary widely in whether they've sponsored before. Migrate Mate shows verified LCA filing history by employer, so you can focus applications on institutions that have already navigated the process for librarian roles.
Benchmark your offered wage against OFLC data
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the prevailing wage for your location and role. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current Level I and Level II thresholds for library science occupations in your city before accepting an offer.
Get your foreign credential evaluated before applying
If your library degree came from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization before you start applying. Many library employers and USCIS will want documentation confirming your degree is equivalent to a U.S. Master of Library Science.
Clarify PERM requirements for green card pathways
If your employer wants to sponsor you for permanent residence through EB-2 or EB-3, the PERM labor certification process requires a formal recruitment campaign. Academic libraries often have internal HR processes for this, so ask HR specifically whether they've run PERM for library staff before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Assistant Librarian role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, but only when the employer specifically requires a Master of Library Science or an equivalent graduate degree for the position. If the job description lists the degree as preferred rather than required, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence challenging whether the role meets the specialty occupation standard. Academic and research library positions tend to have the strongest cases because degree requirements are built into institutional hiring policy.
Which types of library employers are most likely to sponsor visas?
Academic libraries at universities and colleges are the most common sponsors for librarian roles, partly because many qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which removes the annual lottery. Special libraries at research institutions, hospitals, and law firms also sponsor but less frequently. Public library systems sometimes sponsor too, though budget constraints and civil service hiring rules can complicate the process. Browse Migrate Mate to see which library employers have active LCA filing history.
What visa options exist beyond the H-1B for Assistant Librarians?
If you hold a TN visa-eligible nationality, librarian is listed as a qualifying profession under the USMCA agreement, so Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN status without a lottery or USCIS petition. J-1 visa exchange visitor status is another route, particularly for academic librarians affiliated with research or teaching institutions, though it typically requires a designated sponsor organization and may carry a two-year home residency requirement.
How does the H-1B cap exemption work for library positions?
Cap-exempt status applies when your employer is a university, a nonprofit entity affiliated with a university, or a nonprofit or government research organization. If your library employer qualifies, your H-1B petition can be filed at any time of year and is not subject to the annual cap or lottery. USCIS reviews the employer's exempt status as part of the petition, so your employer needs to document their exempt classification when filing Form I-129.
Does a foreign library degree count toward the specialty occupation requirement?
A foreign degree can satisfy the specialty occupation requirement, but you'll need a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization confirming it's equivalent to a U.S. Master of Library Science. USCIS treats the evaluation as evidence in the petition, and without it, the employer's case for specialty occupation becomes significantly harder to support. Get the evaluation done before your employer files the LCA, not after.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant Librarian jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.