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Federal Government Library Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Librarian (Business)

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$70K - $91K/yr

The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and ...

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Federal Government Library information

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How much do federal government library jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for federal government library in Washington is $21.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a federal government library?

A federal government library is an information center operated by a federal agency or department to support its mission and serve the information needs of its staff, policymakers, and sometimes the general public. These libraries collect, organize, and provide access to specialized resources such as books, reports, legal documents, and databases related to government operations and research. Federal libraries can be found in various agencies, covering topics from law and health to science and defense. Some notable examples include the Library of Congress and the National Library of Medicine. Access policies and collections vary depending on the agency and the library's specific focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a federal government librarian?

To thrive as a Federal Government Librarian, you typically need a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree, along with expertise in information organization, research, and relevant federal regulations. Familiarity with integrated library systems (ILS), digital archives, government databases, and classification tools like MARC and LC is essential. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial for supporting federal missions and assisting diverse user groups. These skills ensure the accurate management, accessibility, and dissemination of vital government information.

What are some common challenges faced by librarians working in a federal government library?

Librarians in federal government libraries often encounter challenges such as managing sensitive or classified information, adapting to evolving government regulations, and serving a diverse user base with specialized research needs. They must stay updated on compliance and security protocols while ensuring information accessibility for government employees. Additionally, they may work within structured teams and collaborate closely with policy analysts, researchers, and other government staff, making strong communication and adaptability essential skills.

What is the difference between Federal Government Library vs State Government Library?

AspectFederal Government LibraryState Government Library
CredentialsTypically requires a Master’s in Library Science (MLS) or equivalentSame as federal, often requiring MLS or equivalent
Work EnvironmentLocated within federal agencies, national institutionsLocated within state agencies, state capitals, or regional offices
Employer & Industry UsageServes federal employees, national research, and policyServes state employees, local communities, and regional research
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for scope, funding, and jurisdictionCompared for regional focus and governance

The main difference between a Federal Government Library and a State Government Library lies in their jurisdiction, scope, and employer. Federal libraries serve national agencies and require similar credentials, while state libraries focus on state agencies and regional needs. Both roles typically require a Master’s in Library Science and work within government settings, but their audiences and operational scope differ.

What are popular job titles related to Federal Government Library jobs in Washington?

For Federal Government Library jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Federal Government Library jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Federal Government Library jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Federal Government Library jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Federal Government Library job openings:

Infographic showing various Federal Government Library job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,011 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Librarian (Business)

Library of Congress

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$70K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Enable access, discovery, dissemination, and use of collections and resources for all users.

  • Provide business reference and instruction to individual researchers and groups, and assist in identifying sources in business and economics.

  • Assist with reviewing, developing, and maintaining collection materials, and collaborate on programs to meet researcher needs.


Job description

Summary
The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.
We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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This position serves as a Librarian (Business) in the Researcher Engagement and General Collections Division (REGC); General and International Collections Directorate (GICD), Researcher and Collections Services (RCS) within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG)at the Library of Congress (Library).
The position reports to the applicable division supervisor.
As the Librarian (Business), you will:
  • Enable access, discovery, dissemination, and use of collections and resources current and historical, analog and digital, for all users. Provide support for the identification and selection of sources for those engaged in routine research, and maintain connections and life-long learning opportunities for casual users through the discovery and use of the Library's resources.
  • Provide business reference and instruction to individual researchers and groups where needs are relatively easy to determine from standard research interviews, in-person or virtually, and the bibliographic source materials are of limited technical complexity. Identify domestic and international analog and digital resources in business and economics to address user needs that are easily determined from interviews or written requests.
  • Assist with reviewing a wide variety of brochures, catalogs, journals, and other sources for new items and sources for possible acquisition in order to develop collections in areas of business and economics.
  • Assist other staff in determining the quality and usefulness of collection materials. Assist in developing strategies for the organization, storage, preservation, and service of materials. Monitor the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications.
  • Collaborate with others to develop, promote, facilitate, present and evaluate programs to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of researchers and other user communities. Assist with different audiences to achieve a variety of outcomes.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • The position description number for this position is 447805.
  • The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
  • The incumbent of this position will work a Flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
  • Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Qualifications
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
Ability to provide business reference and research services.**
Ability to develop and manage library collections.**
Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies.**
Ability to provide outreach and liaison duties.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Education
All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education.
Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree;
or
A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.
In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have directly related education and/or specialized experience in the amounts required for the GS-09:
Two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's in library science or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position.
You MUST submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.
Foreign Education - Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.
Additional information
Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.
The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.
A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.
Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.