Skills
Librarian Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in librarians, and how to build and show them.
What skills do librarians need?
Librarians need technical skills such as research and reference, collection development, and cataloging, plus people skills like curiosity and customer service. They also use tools such as Integrated library systems and Online databases.
Technical (hard) skills
- Research and reference
- Collection development
- Cataloging
- Information literacy instruction
- Library systems
- Program planning
People (soft) skills
- Curiosity
- Customer service
- Communication
- Organization
Tools, equipment and technology
- Integrated library systems
- Online databases
- Cataloging tools
- Digital media tools
- Presentation software
- Community outreach tools
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how librarians put their skills to work:
- How to conduct a reference interview
- How to teach students to evaluate sources
- How to weed a collection
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Research and reference” and “Collection development.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “curiosity,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as MLS or MLIS degree near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our librarian glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Librarian training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.