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Federal Library Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Archivist

Beltsville, MD · On-site

$60K - $72K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience working in a federal library, research library, or scientific archive . * Familiarity with agricultural, scientific, or environmental history collections. * Experience using archival ...

... library's web pages and resources. Becoming familiar with Just In Time accounts and procedures. Learning how to use the electronic pay system, Adobe Sign/EchoSign. To Qualify for our Federal Work ...

... library's web pages and resources. Becoming familiar with Just In Time accounts and procedures. Learning how to use the electronic pay system, Adobe Sign/EchoSign. To Qualify for our Federal Work ...

... library's web pages and resources. Becoming familiar with Just In Time accounts and procedures. Learning how to use the electronic pay system, Adobe Sign/EchoSign. To Qualify for our Federal Work ...

Cataloger

Washington, DC · Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience supporting a federal library. * Experience cataloging materials for blind or print-disabled library users. * Experience working with sound recording bibliographic records. * Knowledge of ...

Archivist

Beltsville, MD · On-site

$60K - $72K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience working in a federal library, research library, or scientific archive . * Familiarity with agricultural, scientific, or environmental history collections. * Experience using archival ...

Inspector

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Type Full-time Description LAC Federal is seeking a detail-oriented Inspector - Quality Control to perform essential quality control reviews of various materials at a prestigious federal library ...

Library Technician

Washington, DC · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Type Full-time Description LAC Federal is seeking a Library Technician to support an art-focused research library in Washington, DC. The successful candidate will provide operational support for ...

Inspector

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Description LAC Federal is seeking a detail-oriented Inspector - Quality Control to perform essential quality control reviews of various materials at a prestigious federal library in Washington, DC.

Showing results 41-60

Federal Library information

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How much do federal library jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal library in the United States is $72,983.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $85,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a federal library, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in federal libraries often encounter challenges such as adapting to evolving government information policies, managing large and diverse collections, and meeting the varied needs of federal employees and the public. Navigating strict security protocols and handling sensitive or classified materials may also be part of the job. Building strong communication skills, staying current with library technology, and participating in ongoing professional development can help address these challenges and ensure effective service delivery.

What is a federal library?

A Federal Library is a library that is operated or funded by a federal government agency. These libraries provide information resources and services primarily to government employees, researchers, and sometimes the public, depending on the library's mission. Federal Libraries support the work of government agencies by offering specialized collections, research support, and access to digital and physical materials. Examples include the Library of Congress, the National Library of Medicine, and the National Agricultural Library.

What is the difference between Federal Library vs Public Library?

AspectFederal LibraryPublic Library
Required CredentialsMaster's degree in Library Science (MLS) or equivalent, specialized knowledge of federal collectionsMLS or equivalent, focus on community services
Work EnvironmentGovernment buildings, federal agencies, specialized collectionsCommunity centers, city or town facilities, public spaces
Employer & Industry UsageFederal government agencies, national archives, military, government researchLocal government, city or county governments, community outreach
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding federal library roles, job requirements, and career pathsLearning about local library jobs, services, and community engagement

Federal libraries serve government agencies and national collections, requiring specialized credentials and working within federal institutions. Public libraries focus on serving local communities, with a broader emphasis on public access and community programs. While both roles involve library science skills, their work environments, employer types, and user focus differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a federal librarian, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Librarian, you need a master's degree in library science (MLS/MLIS), strong research abilities, and knowledge of information organization and retrieval. Familiarity with integrated library systems (ILS), digital databases, government document management tools, and cataloging standards like MARC is typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and customer service skills help librarians effectively serve diverse users and collaborate with colleagues. These skills ensure accurate information access, regulatory compliance, and high-quality support for federal agency missions.
More about Federal Library jobs

What cities are hiring for Federal Library jobs?

Cities with the most Federal Library job openings:

What states have the most Federal Library jobs?

States with the most job openings for Federal Library jobs include:

Infographic showing various Federal Library job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,983 per year, or $35.1 per hour.

$60K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
LAC Federal is seeking a motivated Archivist to support archival collections and special collections management for a federal agency located in Beltsville, Maryland. The Archivist will assist in the arrangement, description, preservation, and access of archival materials documenting the history of agriculture, agricultural science, and related federal programs.
Working under the guidance of senior archivists and library leadership, the Archivist will support the processing of archival collections, creation of descriptive metadata and finding aids, digitization preparation, and reference services for researchers. The position supports the mission of the agency to preserve and provide access to historically significant materials related to agricultural research, policy, and innovation in the United States.
This position is ideal for an early-career archivist with foundational training in archival theory and practice and 1-2 years of professional experience in archives, special collections, or cultural heritage institutions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
  • Arrange, describe, and process archival and manuscript collections in accordance with archival best practices and institutional policies.
  • Develop and maintain collection-level and series-level descriptions using archival description standards such as Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS).
  • Create and update finding aids and collection inventories to support discovery and access.
  • Rehouse archival materials in appropriate preservation enclosures including archival boxes, folders, and protective sleeves.
  • Create descriptive metadata for archival materials using established metadata standards such as Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Dublin Core Dublin Core, or other institutional schemas.
  • Enter and update records in archival management systems and digital repositories used by the National Agricultural Library.
  • Assist with quality control and metadata normalization to improve discoverability of archival collections.
  • Assist with the identification and stabilization of fragile or at-risk materials.
  • Prepare archival materials for digitization workflows, including scanning preparation, metadata capture, and quality control review.
  • Apply basic preservation techniques and follow established environmental and handling guidelines for archival materials.
  • Provide assistance to researchers, historians, and federal staff using archival collections.
  • Support reference inquiries by identifying relevant archival materials and retrieving collections from storage.
  • Contribute to outreach activities that promote awareness and use of the library's archival holdings.
  • Maintain documentation of processing activities, collection status, and workflow metrics.
  • Support reporting requirements related to collection processing progress and digitization activities.
  • Assist with collection surveys, inventories, and backlog reduction initiatives.

Requirements
  • Master's degree in library and information science (MLIS) or equivalent graduate degree with coursework in archives management from an ALA-accredited program, OR a graduate degree in history, public history, archival studies, or a related field with formal archival training.
  • 1-2 years of professional or internship experience working in archives, special collections, or cultural heritage institutions.
  • Knowledge of archival principles including arrangement, description, and preservation practices.
  • Familiarity with archival description standards such as DACS and metadata schemas such as EAD or Dublin Core.
  • Experience creating finding aids and working with archival collections.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to handle fragile materials carefully and follow preservation protocols.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in a federal library, research library, or scientific archive.
  • Familiarity with agricultural, scientific, or environmental history collections.
  • Experience using archival management systems (e.g., ArchivesSpace, AtoM, or similar platforms).
  • Experience supporting digitization and digital preservation workflows.
  • Knowledge of controlled vocabularies and authority files used in archival description.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to handle and process archival materials, including lifting, carrying, and moving archival boxes weighing up to approximately 25-30 pounds, and transporting materials between storage, processing, and research areas.
  • Ability to perform extended periods of desk-based and detailed work, including sitting, standing, and using a computer for metadata entry, scanning preparation, and archival management system updates.
  • Ability to reach, bend, and work with materials stored on shelving, including retrieving boxes from standard library shelving and safely handling fragile or delicate archival materials using proper preservation techniques.

Benefits
  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
  • Short Term & Long-Term Disability
  • Training & Development

EEO Statement
The company and its subsidiaries are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring/hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Nothing in this job specification restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.
Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.
Salary Description
$60,000 - $72,000