Young Adult Librarian Jobs
Young Adult Librarian jobs are open across public library systems, school districts, and academic institutions, at every level from entry-level to senior and supervisory, with specializations in teen programming, collection development, and reader advisory services. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Reporting to the Associate Director for Clinical, Academic, and Research Engagement (CARE), the Research Services Librarian provides research, reference, and instructional services to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff of UT Health San Antonio. This entry-level position is designed for a new or early-career librarian with an interest in health sciences librarianship. The incumbent supports public services such as access services and interlibrary loan, develops and coordinates outreach programs and initiatives, and assists with special projects. Working with the Collections, Acquisitions & Resource Discovery Services (CARDS) unit and the Senior Curator for Special Collections & Archives, the incumbent also supports collections and electronic resource management, student scholarly works, and Archives and Special Collections. The incumbent works alongside experienced liaison librarians and specialists in both the CARE and CARDS units, gaining broad experience across public services, collections, and special collections in an academic health science center library. The position is part of the CARE unit within the Health Science Center Libraries, which is responsible for outreach and engagement across the institution’s clinical, academic, and research enterprises. The Health Science Center Libraries support the incumbent’s professional development, including participation in the Medical Library Association and its chapters or related organizations.
Schedule:
Monday - Friday from 7:00am or 7:30am to 4:00pm - 4:30pm.
Fully on-site.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides general reference assistance and research consultations to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff by chat, email, and virtual or in-person appointments, and refers discipline-specific and complex requests to the appropriate liaison librarian.
Participates in the library’s On-Call Librarian rotation and provides backup coverage for liaison librarians’ on-call shifts.
Assists liaison librarians with literature searching and document delivery for research projects, including structured reviews, and with compiling data for departmental and faculty publication reports.
Designs and delivers in-person and virtual instruction and training sessions on library resources, evidence-based practice, information literacy, research skills, and related topics in collaboration with liaison librarians.
Creates and maintains instructional materials and online library guides in multiple formats (videos, online tutorials, guides, etc.) and identifies new topics for digital learning objects based on user needs.
Triages questions and requests from library users and resolves issues within established policies and procedures, escalating to the appropriate librarian or staff member as needed.
Plans and participates in library programs, events, and outreach activities in collaboration with the Resource Sharing & Outreach Librarian and other colleagues, including Student Life.
Provides backup coverage for the Library Services Assistants and for interlibrary loan and document delivery services as needed.
Supports collection management activities for electronic resources in collaboration with the CARDS unit, including monitoring collection expenditures and renewals and processing and tracking payments so that access to resources is not interrupted.
Maintains access and holdings information for electronic resources across library systems, troubleshoots access issues, and performs copy cataloging in the Koha integrated library system.
Receives, processes, and catalogs student scholarly works, including electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects, adds them to the Digital Archive, and manages embargoes in accordance with established procedures.
Assists with the processing and organization of Archives and Special Collections materials and supports tours of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library.
Participates in library planning activities, contributes to the development of policies, procedures, and reports, and serves on library and campus committees.
Participates in professional development activities, including professional association involvement and continuing education.
Performs additional or special duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidate must be able to meet the criteria for appointment at the Librarian level. No post-MLIS professional library experience is required.
Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program. Degree must be completed and awarded prior to the hire date (anticipated hire date January 2027).
Working knowledge of library services and practices related to reference, instruction, outreach, and collection management, ideally in an academic or health sciences library.
Knowledge of health science information resources, including databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and UpToDate, and of evidence-based medicine.
Ability to provide high-quality services to diverse library users to meet their academic, research, and clinical information needs.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated organizational and project management skills and ability to balance multiple priorities, schedule constraints, and deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team and to develop and maintain strong working relationships with library users and university colleagues.
Working knowledge of standard productivity software (Microsoft Office); citation management software; integrated library systems and library-related platforms (e.g., Ex Libris Alma, Koha, Springshare); and electronic resource systems and research platforms (e.g., ORCID).
Able to qualify for a security-sensitive position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
One (1) or more years of library experience at the staff level, or post-MLIS library experience, in an academic, medical, health sciences, or clinical library.
Coursework, practicum, internship, or work experience in health sciences librarianship, reference and instruction, cataloging and metadata, electronic resources, or archives and special collections.
Experience providing reference or research assistance, including by chat or email, or teaching library or research skills.
Familiarity with expert literature searching or systematic review methods.
Experience with cataloging (MARC, RDA) and with OCLC, Koha, or another integrated library system.
Experience creating research guides or instructional materials (e.g., LibGuides, video tutorials).
Interest in professional involvement through the Medical Library Association, its chapters, or related organizations.
Reporting to the Associate Director for Clinical, Academic, and Research Engagement (CARE), the Research Services Librarian provides research, reference, and instructional services to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff of UT Health San Antonio. This entry-level position is designed for a new or early-career librarian with an interest in health sciences librarianship. The incumbent supports public services such as access services and interlibrary loan, develops and coordinates outreach programs and initiatives, and assists with special projects. Working with the Collections, Acquisitions & Resource Discovery Services (CARDS) unit and the Senior Curator for Special Collections & Archives, the incumbent also supports collections and electronic resource management, student scholarly works, and Archives and Special Collections. The incumbent works alongside experienced liaison librarians and specialists in both the CARE and CARDS units, gaining broad experience across public services, collections, and special collections in an academic health science center library. The position is part of the CARE unit within the Health Science Center Libraries, which is responsible for outreach and engagement across the institution’s clinical, academic, and research enterprises. The Health Science Center Libraries support the incumbent’s professional development, including participation in the Medical Library Association and its chapters or related organizations.
Schedule:
Monday - Friday from 7:00am or 7:30am to 4:00pm - 4:30pm.
Fully on-site.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides general reference assistance and research consultations to students, residents, faculty, researchers, and staff by chat, email, and virtual or in-person appointments, and refers discipline-specific and complex requests to the appropriate liaison librarian.
Participates in the library’s On-Call Librarian rotation and provides backup coverage for liaison librarians’ on-call shifts.
Assists liaison librarians with literature searching and document delivery for research projects, including structured reviews, and with compiling data for departmental and faculty publication reports.
Designs and delivers in-person and virtual instruction and training sessions on library resources, evidence-based practice, information literacy, research skills, and related topics in collaboration with liaison librarians.
Creates and maintains instructional materials and online library guides in multiple formats (videos, online tutorials, guides, etc.) and identifies new topics for digital learning objects based on user needs.
Triages questions and requests from library users and resolves issues within established policies and procedures, escalating to the appropriate librarian or staff member as needed.
Plans and participates in library programs, events, and outreach activities in collaboration with the Resource Sharing & Outreach Librarian and other colleagues, including Student Life.
Provides backup coverage for the Library Services Assistants and for interlibrary loan and document delivery services as needed.
Supports collection management activities for electronic resources in collaboration with the CARDS unit, including monitoring collection expenditures and renewals and processing and tracking payments so that access to resources is not interrupted.
Maintains access and holdings information for electronic resources across library systems, troubleshoots access issues, and performs copy cataloging in the Koha integrated library system.
Receives, processes, and catalogs student scholarly works, including electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects, adds them to the Digital Archive, and manages embargoes in accordance with established procedures.
Assists with the processing and organization of Archives and Special Collections materials and supports tours of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library.
Participates in library planning activities, contributes to the development of policies, procedures, and reports, and serves on library and campus committees.
Participates in professional development activities, including professional association involvement and continuing education.
Performs additional or special duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidate must be able to meet the criteria for appointment at the Librarian level. No post-MLIS professional library experience is required.
Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program. Degree must be completed and awarded prior to the hire date (anticipated hire date January 2027).
Working knowledge of library services and practices related to reference, instruction, outreach, and collection management, ideally in an academic or health sciences library.
Knowledge of health science information resources, including databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and UpToDate, and of evidence-based medicine.
Ability to provide high-quality services to diverse library users to meet their academic, research, and clinical information needs.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated organizational and project management skills and ability to balance multiple priorities, schedule constraints, and deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team and to develop and maintain strong working relationships with library users and university colleagues.
Working knowledge of standard productivity software (Microsoft Office); citation management software; integrated library systems and library-related platforms (e.g., Ex Libris Alma, Koha, Springshare); and electronic resource systems and research platforms (e.g., ORCID).
Able to qualify for a security-sensitive position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
One (1) or more years of library experience at the staff level, or post-MLIS library experience, in an academic, medical, health sciences, or clinical library.
Coursework, practicum, internship, or work experience in health sciences librarianship, reference and instruction, cataloging and metadata, electronic resources, or archives and special collections.
Experience providing reference or research assistance, including by chat or email, or teaching library or research skills.
Familiarity with expert literature searching or systematic review methods.
Experience with cataloging (MARC, RDA) and with OCLC, Koha, or another integrated library system.
Experience creating research guides or instructional materials (e.g., LibGuides, video tutorials).
Interest in professional involvement through the Medical Library Association, its chapters, or related organizations.
Young Adult Librarian Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Young Adult Librarian JobsYoung Adult Librarian Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in young adult librarian jobs.
- Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited program
- Experience developing and delivering programming for teenagers
- Proficiency in integrated library systems such as Sierra or Polaris
- Knowledge of young adult literature and reader advisory practices
- State library certification or willingness to obtain it upon hire
- Experience with outreach to underserved or at-risk teen populations
Tips for Your Young Adult Librarian Job Search
Tailor your resume to teen programming
Hiring managers want to see specific programs you've designed or facilitated for teens, not just general library experience. Name the initiative, the age group, and what it accomplished. Generic library assistant bullets won't get you past a first screen for a young adult role.
Highlight your MLIS and youth services coursework
Many young adult librarian postings require an ALA-accredited MLIS with youth or teen services focus. If your degree covers it, name the relevant courses explicitly on your resume. Candidates who bury their specialization in a generic education line lose ground to those who make it visible.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists young adult librarian openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search for openings by system size and type
Your day-to-day work differs dramatically between a large urban public library, a rural branch, and a school district. Filter openings by institution type so you're applying where your programming style and collection management experience actually match the environment.
Prepare a programming portfolio before interviews
Many young adult librarian interviews include a scenario or presentation component where you pitch a teen program. Have two or three fully developed program outlines ready, including goals, format, and how you'd measure engagement, so you're not building them under pressure.
Negotiate your professional development budget
Library positions often have more flexibility on conference funding and training allowances than on base salary. After an offer, ask specifically about ALA or YALSA membership support and continuing education reimbursement. These benefits compound in value over your first few years on the job.
Young Adult Librarian Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most young adult librarians?
University of Alabama, Library Systems & Services, and George Washington University are hiring the most young adult librarians right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Massachusetts, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Public library systems and school districts consistently account for the largest share of active openings.
How many young adult librarian jobs are remote?
About 64% of young adult librarian openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which is lower than many information-sector roles because most positions require in-person teen programming and collection management. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility include digital services coordination, virtual programming, and collection development work tied to e-resources.
How do you become a young adult librarian?
Start by earning a Master of Library Science from an ALA-accredited program, ideally with coursework in youth or teen services. Gain hands-on experience through practicums, internships, or volunteer work in public libraries or school media centers. Obtain any state-specific library certification your target market requires, build a portfolio of teen programs you've developed, and join YALSA to stay current on professional standards.
Can you get hired as a young adult librarian with little experience?
Yes, entry-level young adult librarian positions exist, particularly at smaller public library branches and school districts. Hiring managers for those roles weigh your degree specialization, volunteer work with teens, and any programming you've designed independently. Demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for young adult literature and teen culture in your cover letter and interview can offset a shorter work history more effectively here than in many other library roles.
What does the young adult librarian interview process look like?
Most young adult librarian interviews involve a phone or video screen with HR, followed by an in-person or virtual panel with library administration and sometimes a teen services colleague. Candidates are frequently asked to deliver a short program pitch or collection development scenario. Some systems also request a writing sample or a brief tour of the teen space to assess how you'd use the physical environment.
Where can I find and apply to young adult librarian jobs?
You can find and apply to young adult librarian jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from public library systems, school districts, and academic institutions across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to each listing from the job page.
See All 161+ Young Adult Librarian Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Young Adult Librarian Jobs