Librarian Cover Letter Example

Whether you're a beloved school librarian or a brand new library assistant, you'll need to convey your passion for learning in your application. Learn how to write a convincing cover letter with our librarian cover letter example and essential writing tips below.

September 10, 2024

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Entry Level

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Mid Level

A librarian cover letter example with an image of a city skyline in the header to help the applicant stand out

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Senior Level

An example cover letter for a head librarian position.

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Librarian Cover Letter Template

Pay attention to the formatting used on your cover letter to guarantee it’s both readable and professional.

Copy-paste Librarian Cover Letter (Text Format)

Entry
Mid
Senior

FIRST AND LAST NAME

Email: your.email@email.com

Phone: (123) 456-7891

Address: Street, City, State

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[456 Company Address]
[Company City, State XXXXX]
[(XXX) XXX-XXXX]
[hiring.manager@gmail.com]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager/Library Director’s Name],

I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the Junior Librarian position at Oakwood Public Library. As a recent graduate with a Master’s in Library and Information Science from State University, I am eager to apply my knowledge and passion for information services to your community-focused institution.

Throughout my academic journey, I have developed a strong foundation in library science principles and practices. During my graduate program, I completed a practicum at the University Research Library, where I gained hands-on experience in cataloging, assisting patrons with research queries, and organizing community events. This experience reinforced my belief in the vital role libraries play in fostering learning and community engagement.

I am particularly drawn to Oakwood Public Library because of your innovative approach to community outreach. Your recent initiative to create a makerspace for teens aligns perfectly with my interest in using technology to enhance library services and attract younger patrons.

As the president of the Library and Information Science Student Association, I organized several successful events, including a book drive that collected over 1,000 books for underprivileged schools and a workshop series on digital literacy for senior citizens. These experiences honed my project management and public engagement skills, which I’m excited to bring to your library.

I am committed to staying current with emerging trends in library science and am excited about the prospect of growing professionally at Oakwood Public Library. Your reputation for supporting staff development and encouraging innovative ideas makes this an ideal environment for me to start my career. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills, passion for library science, and fresh perspective can contribute to Oakwood Public Library’s mission of serving and enriching the community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[341 Company Address]
[Company City, State xxxxx]
[(xxx) xxx-xxxx]
[hiring.manager@gmail.com]

Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Manager’s Name],

I would like to propose my candidacy for your position of Librarian which was advertised on [Website].

I am enthusiastically applying for this position because I firmly believe that a combination of my natural ability, personality, and work experience all make me an ideal candidate for this role. I possess a strong understanding of management, IT equipment and the day-to-day running of a library. In my current position as a Librarian Intern with Oak View Public Library, I have gained an insight into the different levels of library management. I have been involved in the coordination of children’s library operations and customer/community service.

I consistently believe in taking challenges and exploring new, ingenious concepts to improve library efficiency. I have also worked as a Library Volunteer at Buffalo Library. Both of my previous jobs have required a high standard of customer service skills.

I pride myself on my organizational and communication abilities and look forward to continuing my career as a Librarian. I hope to discuss my eligibility for the role with you in the future.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[456 Company Address]
[Company City, State XXXXX]
[(XXX) XXX-XXXX]
[hiring.manager@gmail.com]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager/Library Director’s Name],

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Head Librarian position at Lakeside University Library. With over 15 years of experience in academic libraries, including the last seven as Associate Director at Metropolitan Research Library, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise in library management and innovation to your esteemed institution.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to transforming libraries into dynamic, technology-driven centers of learning and research. At Metropolitan Research Library, I spearheaded several initiatives that significantly enhanced our services and patron engagement:

Developed and launched a digital scholarship center, providing support for data visualization, text mining, and digital humanities projects
Redesigned our information literacy program, incorporating gamification and micro-learning modules, which improved student engagement by 40% and received an ALA Innovation in Instruction Award
Secured over $2 million in grants for collection digitization and preservation projects, making rare materials accessible to researchers worldwide

I’m particularly drawn to Lakeside University because of your reputation for cutting-edge research and your commitment to open access initiatives. Your recent partnership with the Global Scholars Network aligns perfectly with my experience in developing international collaborations and expanding digital collections

I am excited about the possibility of leading Lakeside University Library into its next chapter of excellence and innovation. I am confident that my blend of strategic leadership, technological expertise, and commitment to academic scholarship makes me an ideal candidate for this role. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and vision align with Lakeside University’s mission.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Average librarian salaries in the US

The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data is presented based on the top states by downloads in the USA.

Average librarian annual salaries by state

State	Salary / Year
California	$84,800
Texas	$66,220
Florida	$59,710
New York	$76,830
Pennsylvania	$62,470
Illinois	$61,300
Ohio	$58,880
Georgia	$74,110
North Carolina	$61,050
Michigan	$58,300
National Average	$64,094

Librarian Cover Letter Writing Tips

As information science professionals, librarians are responsible for maintaining an extensive amount of information and assisting others with research.

So employers need to know that you have the right mix of interpersonal skills, technical expertise, and organizational skills needed to run a successful library. Show them that you’re the right person for the job by demonstrating your expertise with an outstanding cover letter.

Here are some tips on how to write a great librarian cover letter:

Highlight your librarian skills

Start by emphasizing skills that are essential to the work being done by a librarian.

Depending on the institution, the general duties of a librarian may vary but a number of hard and soft skills are required for the position.

Here are some librarian soft skills you should include on your cover letter:

Organizational skills
Time management skills
Prioritization
Interpersonal skills
Active listening
People skills
Customer service
Communication skills
Leadership skills
Patience
Attention to detail
Ability to collaborate

Additionally, here’s a list of valuable librarian hard skills and related software to highlight in your cover letter:

Research skills
Analytical thinking
UStrong understanding of cataloging, shelving, and storage methods
Google Drive and Microsoft Office (Google Docs, Word, and Excel)
Experience with information retrieval and query software
Knowledge of databases and electronic resources, such as (like e-books and journals)
Classification Web, LexisNexis, and Westlaw
Ex Libris Group Voyager, MC2 Systems Auto Librarian, Online Computer Library Center OCLC, WorldCat

You can demonstrate to employers that you have the right skills to excel by providing real-life examples on your cover letter.

For example, you can mention your experience at a college library and how you implemented a new online catalog to streamline the research process for students.

Open with a strong introduction

Knowing how to start your cover letter in an attention-grabbing way is especially important when you’re applying for entry-level librarian jobs and don’t have a lot of experience to highlight. A strong cover letter introduction makes an immediate impact on employers and helps you stand out from candidates who have similar qualifications.

Here are a few ways to craft a stronger introduction on your librarian cover letter:

Show your enthusiasm for the institution or role by connecting a personal passion to the job
Lead with an impressive accomplishment that demonstrates your skills as a librarian
Research the library and use this information to align your talents with their goals

Provide examples of your achievements (with numbers)

Quantify your achievements to give employers a better sense of what you can contribute to their current workflow. Although the main responsibilities of a librarian are service-based, there’s always a way to include data on your cover letter.

Here are some examples of quantified achievements that would make good additions to a librarian cover letter:

Librarian Cover Letter Achievements

Supervised and trained 25+ staff in shelving, cataloging, and information retrieval methods
Co-instructed sessions on research methods to 900+ incoming students during college orientation
Reworked the library’s budget for supplies and reduced spending by 15% per year
Initiated a project to streamline subscription processes, which saved the library $2,500 annually