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Library Cataloger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$68K - $72K/yr

The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Cataloger to join the Collection Description and Imaging group. Under the ...

Partners with other library divisions on the cataloging, weeding, inventory, and maintenance of the library collection * Maintains records and holdings in local automated system; works with library ...

Library Associate 3

Smyrna, TN ยท On-site

$33K - $36K/yr

May also be assigned duties in library technical services and digital resources, including, but not limited to: cataloging, classification, and processing of physical collection items; acquisition ...

Cataloging Librarian - Library

Temple, TX ยท On-site

$26.78 - $29.36/hr

Partners with other library divisions on the cataloging, weeding, inventory, and maintenance of the library collection * Maintains records and holdings in local automated system; works with library ...

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Library Cataloger information

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$26K

$62.1K

$100.5K

How much do library cataloger jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for library cataloger in the United States is $62,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Library Cataloger vs Library Archivist?

AspectLibrary CatalogerLibrary Archivist
Required CredentialsMLS or MLIS, cataloging certificationsMLS or MLIS, archival certifications
Work EnvironmentPublic, academic, or special librariesArchives, museums, special collections
Employer & IndustryLibraries, educational institutionsArchives, cultural institutions
Primary FocusOrganizing and maintaining library catalogsPreserving and managing archival collections

While both roles require an MLS or MLIS degree, Library Catalogers focus on organizing library materials and maintaining catalogs, whereas Library Archivists specialize in preserving and managing archival collections. Both work in similar environments but serve different functions within information management.

What are some common challenges faced by library catalogers, and how can they be addressed?

Library catalogers often face the challenge of keeping up with evolving cataloging standards, such as RDA and MARC, while ensuring the accuracy and consistency of bibliographic records. Handling diverse materials, like digital resources or rare items, can require specialized knowledge and adaptability. Collaboration with other library staff is crucial to resolve ambiguities and maintain a user-friendly catalog. Staying up-to-date through professional development and open communication with colleagues helps catalogers overcome these challenges and support library users effectively.

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

To thrive as a Library Cataloger, you need expertise in bibliographic classification, metadata standards, and information organization, often supported by a degree in library science. Familiarity with cataloging tools like MARC, OCLC WorldCat, integrated library systems (ILS), and relevant cataloging rules such as RDA is essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are key soft skills that help ensure accuracy and collaboration with library staff. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining precise, accessible, and user-friendly library collections.

What are library catalogers?

Library catalogers are professionals responsible for organizing and classifying library materials, such as books, journals, and digital resources, so they can be easily found and accessed by library users. They create detailed records for each item, assigning standardized subject headings, authorship information, and call numbers according to cataloging rules like MARC and RDA. Catalogers play a crucial role in maintaining the accuracy and usability of a library's collection, ensuring resources are discoverable through the library catalog.
More about Library Cataloger jobs
What cities are hiring for Library Cataloger jobs? Cities with the most Library Cataloger job openings:
What states have the most Library Cataloger jobs? States with the most job openings for Library Cataloger jobs include:
Infographic showing various Library Cataloger job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 98% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,056 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Main Branch - Librarian I - Children's Cataloger - Main Branch

cityofabilene

Abilene, TX โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONย 

Under general supervisionย of the Technical Services Manager, to perform and oversee a variety of professional library tasks related to youth services; to manage collection development, cataloging, and processingย ofย materials serving ages birth through 18; and to support and implement programs and services for children and teens.ย Functionality is evaluated through review of plans, programs, reports, and conferences.ย Provides subjectmatterย expertiseย and applies best practices in cataloging and processing materials for children and young adults.ย 

SUPERVISION EXERCISEDย 

Exercises direct supervision over paraprofessional, technical, clerical, and volunteerย 

staff.ย 

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIESย 

Maintains the childrenโ€™s and young adult library collections by selectingย age-appropriateย books and materials and replacing titles asย appropriate whileย operatingย within established budget guidelines.ย 

Collaboratesย with Childrenโ€™s Librarians throughout the Abilene Public Library system to ensure comprehensive and balanced coverage of youth materials.ย 

Provide reference and individualย readersโ€™ย advisory guidance to children, parents, teachers, and others interested in the resources of the library.ย 

Compile, prepare, andย maintainย reports, records, and statistics.ย Submit monthly report of library activities to supervisor for distribution to library administration.ย 

Travel to other branches of the Public Library system and other City of Abilene departments toย assistย with programming and branch coverage assignments.ย 

OTHERย JOB RELATEDย DUTIESย 

Perform otherย job relatedย duties and responsibilities as assigned.ย 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESย 

Knowledge of:ย 

Principles and practices of contemporary library operations as applied in a publicย  library setting.ย 

Contemporary library cataloging practices across multiple formats.ย 

Childrenโ€™s and young adult library collections,ย with emphasis on literature and materials for ages birth to 18.ย 

Print and onlineย professional review resourcesย usedย for selecting and evaluating youth materials.ย 

Library collection classification and selection tools and techniques.ย ย 

Principles of office organization, collection management, and basic supervisory practices.ย 

Online electronic databases and current technologies for the purpose of statistics reports, library procedures and promoting library resources and programs for children.ย 

Developmental stages and reading interest levels of children andย young adults.ย 

Skillย to:ย 

Efficiently and effectively interact with the public,ย staffย and internalย customers to provide exemplary library service.ย 

Apply knowledge of cataloging standards in a shared automated library system.ย 

Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with co-workers and the public.ย 

Ability to present programs and materials to the public, both internally and externally.ย 

Skill in the operation and use of hardware and peripherals plus standard office software which includes databases and presentation programs, along with standard Microsoft and G-Suite products.ย 

Analyze problems and recommend practical solutions.ย 

Participate in grant writing toย assistย with program funding and to supplement library needs.ย 

Perform basic duties in other areas of the library or outreach locations as needed.ย 

Ability to:ย 

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.ย 

Supervise, train, and direct paraprofessional, technical, clerical, and volunteerย 

staff in the processing and handling ofย library materialsย 

Makeย appropriate changesย to catalog records to adequately reflect age levels,ย  subject headings and placement in collection.ย ย 

Interact with patrons and staff tactfully, respectfully, and professionallyย at all times.ย 

Perform library functions via the Integrated Library System.ย 

Establish andย maintainย cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.ย 

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values โ€“ Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.ย 

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner thatย accomplishesย the Divisionโ€™s mission and treats team members with dignity,ย courtesyย and respect.ย 

Experience and Training Guidelines:ย 

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels arerequiredย at the higher levels.ย Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.ย Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:ย 

Experience:ย 

One (1) year of experience in the field of children's literature and/or early childhood education, preferably in a public library setting isย required.ย 

Education/Training:ย 

Aย Master's degree in Library Scienceย (MLS) or aย Master's degree in Library and Information Scienceย (MLIS) from an ALA accredited college/university isย required.ย ย 

Training or education that includes an emphasis on childhood or early childhood service is preferred.ย 

License or Certificate:ย 

A valid Texas Driverโ€™s License, the ability toย attainย a valid Texas Driverโ€™s License within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver isย required. ย 

Special Requirements:ย 

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:ย 

With or without accommodation, the โ€œXโ€ย indicatesย the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:ย 

___ Sedentary โ€“ lifting of no more than 10 poundsย 

___ Light โ€“ lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 poundsย 

_X_ Mediumย โ€“ lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 poundsย 

___ Heavy โ€“ lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 poundsย 

___ Very Heavy โ€“ team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 poundsย 

Physical Demand Codes:ย ย Theย following describesย whether or notย the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:ย 

Codes for how often:ย 

Nย  = Noย 

E = Extensive (100 โ€“ 70% of the time)ย 

M = Moderate (60 โ€“ 30% of the time)ย 

I = Infrequent (20 โ€“ 10% of the time)ย 

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)ย 

Code / Taskย 

_I_ย  Standingย 

_E_ Sittingย 

_I_ย  Walkingย 

_A_ Liftingย 

_I_ย  Carryingย 

_I_ย  Pushing/Pullingย 

_N_ Overheadย Workย 

_E_ Fineย Dexterityย 

ย ย A_ Kneelingย 

_A_ Crouchingย 

ย ย A_ Crawlingย 

_A_ Bendingย 

_Aย ย  Twistingย 

_A_ Climbingย 

_A_ Balancingย 

_E_ Visionย 

_E_ Hearingย 

_E_ Talkingย 

___ Other:ย ย _____________________ย