Zen CV
CV Template · Librarian
Librarian CV template.
A librarian CV needs to show more than a love of books. Employers want evidence that you can manage collections, support research, guide users through digital resources, and keep library services running smoothly.
Writing a strong Librarian CV
Hiring managers look for a librarian CV that clearly separates public service, technical services, collection development, and digital resource experience. Include systems such as Koha, Alma, Sierra, WorldCat, or LibGuides, plus cataloguing knowledge like MARC21, RDA, Dewey Decimal, or Library of Congress Classification. For academic roles, highlight information literacy teaching, database training, interlibrary loans, and liaison work with faculties. For public libraries, show programming, reader advisory, community outreach, safeguarding awareness, and circulation management. If you hold an MLS, MLIS, CILIP accreditation, or specialist archival training, make it easy to find.
Three things that matter most
- Name the library management systems and discovery tools you have used, such as Alma, Koha, Sierra, Primo, or EBSCO Discovery Service. Employers often screen librarian CVs for these platforms before reading the full work history.
- Separate cataloguing, reader services, and programming achievements so the hiring manager can see where you fit. A children’s services post, academic liaison role, and metadata librarian vacancy each require different evidence.
- Include examples of user-facing outcomes, such as information literacy sessions delivered, reading programmes coordinated, database guides created, or archival collections processed. These details show the practical services behind your job title.
Skills hiring managers look for
Frequently asked
How do I write a librarian CV with no experience?
Use placements, volunteer library work, archive projects, university research support, or customer-facing roles to show transferable evidence. Mention any experience with shelving, circulation desks, metadata entry, reading groups, database searching, or helping users find information. If you are studying for an MLIS or equivalent qualification, place it prominently and list relevant modules such as cataloguing, information retrieval, or collection management.
What should an academic librarian CV include?
An academic librarian CV should include liaison areas, information literacy teaching, research support, database training, referencing tools, and any work with institutional repositories. Name platforms such as Primo, Alma, EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Scopus, EndNote, Zotero, or LibGuides where relevant. If you have supported systematic reviews, open access deposits, or copyright enquiries, include those as distinct achievements.
Should I include cataloguing standards on a librarian CV?
Yes, especially for cataloguing, metadata, technical services, school library, and archive-adjacent roles. List standards and classification schemes such as MARC21, RDA, AACR2, Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Classification, LCSH, or Dublin Core. Pair them with the systems you used so employers understand both your technical knowledge and your workflow experience.
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