Librarian, Reference Associate

Role overview

This opening is being promoted on behalf of a partner employer, which will handle applications and all follow-up steps. The role is for a part-time Librarian, Reference Associate in the United States. It is a fully online academic support position centered on delivering dependable virtual reference and research help to students, faculty, and staff.

The position serves as an initial contact point for library users, guiding them through digital collections and helping them build stronger research approaches. It calls for a service-minded professional who communicates well in online channels, responds promptly, and can support learners in a higher-education setting. You will work with library teammates to keep service delivery consistent and to support instructional work. This opportunity suits someone who enjoys assisting others, is comfortable in a remote environment, and can balance reference service, research help, and routine operational tasks while contributing to student success and information literacy.

Accountabilities

• Deliver live virtual reference and research support to students, faculty, and staff, including help finding and using scholarly databases and other academic materials.
• Evaluate each question to understand the user’s need and provide accurate, timely assistance through chat, email, phone, and other digital communication tools.
• Provide basic teaching and technical help that strengthens users’ research ability and confidence with library systems.
• Actively share information about library services, collections, and instructional offerings to increase visibility and usage.
• Resolve simple technical problems connected to library platforms and pass along more complex issues for additional support when needed.
• Keep instructional materials, FAQs, guides, tracking sheets, and shared documentation current and organized.
• Work alongside library staff, take part in training, and support ongoing service enhancement efforts.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or Library Science (MLS) from an ALA-accredited school is required.
• Preference for 1 to 3 years of experience in academic reference work.
• Strong grasp of research techniques, scholarly databases, and online information retrieval.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, paired with a strong service orientation.
• Ability to operate independently and as part of a remote team in a fast-paced, user-centered setting.
• Well-developed organization, analysis, problem-solving, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with tools such as LibGuides, Kaltura, Captivate, and Snagit is beneficial.
• Comfort using phone and computer-based communication extensively, including headset use.
• Must be available for required fixed hours, including one weekend shift and one weekday evening shift.
• Self-starter with the flexibility to adapt and manage several priorities at once.

Benefits

• Hourly pay between $22.25 and $33.75, based on experience and qualifications.
• Entirely remote, work-from-home arrangement.
• Part-time schedule of about 10 hours per week.
• Overtime pay may apply for non-exempt roles, where applicable.
• Benefits access for eligible employees working 30 or more hours per week, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
• Possible additional perks include a 401(k), employee stock purchase program, paid leave, holidays, and wellness incentives, subject to eligibility and hours worked.
• Tuition support, learning and development opportunities, and employee discounts may also be available when eligible.

Additional information

This role is managed through a partner hiring process. Applications are screened using an AI-supported matching system to compare candidates against the core requirements, after which a shortlist is sent to the hiring company. Interviews, assessments, and final hiring decisions are handled by the employer’s internal team.

Data privacy and hiring process notice

By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal data for candidate evaluation and for sharing relevant information with the hiring employer under applicable data protection laws, including GDPR where relevant. You may request access, correction, deletion, or objection to the processing of your data at any time.

The hiring process may use AI tools to assist with application review, resume analysis, response assessment, and identification of possible inconsistencies or verification signals. These tools support recruiters but do not replace human judgment, and final decisions are made by people. If you want more information about how your data is handled, you may contact the recruiter or hiring team.