Librarian Cover Letter Examples (Text Format)
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Carter Robertson
Librarian | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., Portland, OR 12345
January 1, 2022
Michael Smith
Hiring Manager
Portland University Library
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Smith,
As an Assistant Librarian at Reed College, I provided collection development support for a university library with over 2K patrons. I coordinated closely with the librarian to acquire new journals, books, and academic texts. I believe that my strong background in library science and collection management would be a valuable asset to your organization.
Reed College’s reputation for its diverse collection of rare texts is what draws me to apply for this position. I am confident that I can enhance library operations and drive collection development for your team based on the following accomplishments from my career:
- Supported grant writing activities to secure funding for collection development efforts, resulting in over $100K in new funds for the library
- Coordinated with the librarian to manage a collection with over 8K books and 500 periodicals
- Utilized the digital asset management system to upload, process, and maintain digital collections
- Provided support to patrons in locating texts for research and academic projects
I look forward to speaking with you further to discuss how my collection development skills can benefit the University of Portland. You can contact me for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Carter Robertson
Sarah Taylor
Librarian | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., San Diego, CA 12345
January 1, 2022
Jose Marquez
Hiring Manager
San Diego Public Library
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Marquez,
With five years of experience as a librarian, I’ve developed an expertise in collection management. During my time with the Santa Cruz Public Library, I managed library operations for a public institution with over 800 patrons. I led various projects and initiatives to bring resources to the local community, making me the ideal candidate for the library position with the San Diego Public Library.
Your organization’s mission to provide ESL tutoring for the local population strongly resonates with me as a professional librarian. I believe that I can help to further these goals and foster positive community relationships based on my professional achievements:
- Integrated new technology for the library, negotiated vendor contracts, and acquired new PCs, laptops, tablets, and whiteboards valued at $250K
- Developed partnerships with local businesses and academic institutions to drive community outreach for the development of an ESL tutoring program for adults and children
- Managed a collection of 1K texts, books, magazines, and films and led collection development efforts to grow the library
I would like to schedule an interview to provide more insights into how my expertise in community outreach can aid the San Diego Public Library. You can contact me with any questions you may have at your earliest convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sarah Taylor
Lisa Goldstein
Librarian | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., Philadelphia, PA, 12345
January 1, 2022
Amy Morrison
Hiring Manager
Temple University
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Morrison,
As you can see from my attached resume, I have over ten years of experience as a librarian at academic institutions. As a librarian at Drexel University, I managed and developed a collection of 3K books and texts for an academic library supporting over 5K students and patrons. I am confident that my track record of enhancing library operations would make me a valuable contributor to your organization.
Temple University’s mission to drive diversity and inclusion within academia and the community strongly resonates with me as an academic professional. I believe that I can help support the continuation of this mission based on the following accomplishments throughout my career:
- Managed a $2M annual library budget, liaised with donors, and performed grant writing to secure over $700K in funding for community initiatives and collection development efforts
- Led an initiative to provide academic resources, counseling, and tutoring to high school students for local schools within the inner city to prepare for college applications
- Partnered with minority-led academic councils to diversify collections and provide support for underrepresented voices in literature, film, and academia
I look forward to scheduling an interview to discuss how my background aligns with the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals of Temple University. You can contact me via phone or email for any additional questions on my experience. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Lisa Goldstein
Librarian Cover Letter Checklist
A great librarian cover letter has five main elements:
1. Heading. Enhance the visual appeal of your document by using a stylized template. Be sure to include the following pieces of information in your header:
- Your name, title, and contact info
- The date you sent the letter
- The addressee’s details
2. Salutation. Greet the hiring manager by Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” instead.
3. Introduction. Create a compelling introductory paragraph to set the tone for your cover letter. Develop a strong lead in that details one of your strongest professional accomplishments, preferably backed by a number or figure. This will help to grab the hiring manager’s attention.
4. Body paragraphs. Continue to feature your career achievements in your next two paragraphs. Implementing a list of bullet points will help enhance the readability of your document by breaking up the text on the page. Be sure to avoid providing generic details and include context for your accomplishments.
5. Closing section. Include a call to action (CTA) at the end of your document to close out your cover letter on a strong note. Invite the hiring manager to schedule an interview or contact you for additional information on your background. Don’t forget to thank them for their time and consideration in your last sentence.
Introduction
Crafting a compelling introduction paragraph is essential for making a strong impression on the hiring manager. Begin your paragraph by providing one of your most powerful accomplishments. Focus on an achievement that aligns with the job description to show why you’re the ideal candidate for the role. Don’t spend too much time detailing your education and, instead, use these sentences to explain how your experience would be an asset to the organization.
Good
Implementing new technology for the Chicago Public Library was one of my proudest career accomplishments. As the head librarian, I led a $500K initiative to refit the library with new computers and integrate a new digital asset management system to improve library operations. I can bring a similar level of success to the University of Chicago in the librarian position.
Bad
As a librarian with over six years of experience, I exceed the requirements you’re looking for in candidates for the librarian role with the University of Chicago. My expertise is extensive, and I know that I can perform at a high level for your team.
Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraph should begin by mentioning how the organization’s reputation or mission statement led you to apply for the position. This will showcase your interest in the company and how your experience aligns with their goals.
Subsequent sentences should shift the focus back to achievements from your work experience. Prioritize including examples that you can quantify and avoid providing generic job duties. The goal is to differentiate yourself from other applicants, and you won’t accomplish that without including numbers, metrics, and context for your accomplishments. Below, you’ll see examples to help you craft your body paragraphs in your cover letter.
Good
As a librarian with over 12 years of professional experience, I am intrigued by Brooklyn University’s mission to increase exposure to scholarly texts and literature from minority writers by improving diversity efforts in collection development. I believe that my experience would help your organization achieve these goals based on the following professional achievements:
- Interfaced with faculty researchers, industry leaders, and academic leadership to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion for a library collection with over 12K assets
- Supported a historical project in collaboration with archivists and academic groups to create a global heritage showcase featuring historical documents and works from people of color across different periods and fields
- Managed a $1.2M budget for library operations and identified process improvement opportunities to reduce overhead costs by 15%
Bad
With many years of experience in library science, I am sure that my background will make an impact on Brooklyn University. My skill sets and professional goals are strongly aligned with the needs of your organization.
Here are some job duties from my current role:
- Managed a diverse collection with a large number of books and magazines
- Worked with academic faculty on intriguing projects and initiatives
- Oversaw the library budget and reduced overhead costs significantly
Closing
Your closing paragraph should contain a call-to-action (CTA) to end your cover letter on a strong note. The most effective way to accomplish this is by inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview or request more information on your professional background. This will showcase your confidence and interest in the position. You should also craft a sentence that reinforces how your experience aligns with the organization’s goals, work culture, or needs. Remember to thank the hiring manager for their time at the end of the paragraph. Below, you’ll find examples to help you build a compelling closing paragraph.
Good
I would like to schedule an interview to provide more insights into how my technology expertise will assist the San Francisco University Library in managing digital assets. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience for any follow-up information. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Bad
Joining the San Francisco University Library has been a long-term goal for me as a professional. Thank you very much for reading my application. I am excited to hear more about the role and believe I will excel on your team.
Best,
Jane Doe
