1

Library Trainee Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Library Trainee information

See Missouri salary details

$23.9K

$40.8K

$59.6K

How much do library trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for library trainee in Missouri is $40,832.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31,000.00 and $47,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Library Trainee, you need organizational skills, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of library systems, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with library cataloging software, circulation systems, and digital databases is often required. Strong communication, customer service orientation, and a willingness to learn are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities are essential for providing effective support to library staff and patrons, ensuring efficient library operations and a positive user experience.

What are Library Trainees?

Library trainees are entry-level staff members who work in libraries to gain practical experience and develop foundational skills in library and information services. They often assist with daily tasks such as shelving books, cataloguing materials, helping patrons find resources, and supporting library programs. Library trainees typically work under the supervision of experienced librarians and may be enrolled in or considering formal library science education. The position helps individuals decide if they wish to pursue a career in librarianship and provides valuable hands-on training.

What are some common challenges faced by Library Trainees during their initial months, and how can they be overcome?

Library Trainees often encounter challenges such as mastering new cataloging systems, adapting to varied patron needs, and balancing multiple tasks like shelving, circulation, and reference assistance. It's common to feel overwhelmed by the breadth of information and the pace of library operations at first. To overcome these challenges, trainees should actively seek mentorship from experienced staff, utilize available training resources, and regularly communicate with their supervisors. Participating in team meetings and asking questions can also help build confidence and proficiency in daily responsibilities.

What is the difference between Library Trainee vs Library Assistant?

AspectLibrary TraineeLibrary Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions may prefer relevant courseworkHigh school diploma; some roles may require additional certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentTraining setting, often supervised, learning on the jobPublic or academic library, performing routine tasks
Employer & Industry UsageInternship or entry-level training program within librariesFull-time or part-time staff in libraries, assisting with daily operations
Search & Comparison IntentLearning role, entry-level position, training opportunityOperational support, routine library tasks

The main difference is that a Library Trainee is typically an entry-level position focused on training and gaining experience, often within a structured program. A Library Assistant is a more permanent role responsible for routine library tasks, requiring less training but more experience. Both roles are essential in library operations, but they differ in responsibilities and career progression opportunities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Library jobs in Missouri? The most popular types of Library jobs in Missouri are:
What are popular job titles related to Library Trainee jobs in Missouri? For Library Trainee jobs in Missouri, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Research Support Librarian - Bernard Becker Library

Washington University

Saint Louis, MO โ€ข On-site

$53K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
This Research Support Librarian position is part of Becker Medical Library's team supporting researchers and authors at WashU Medicine with the complex and ever-changing research publishing and funding landscapes. This position will help faculty, staff and trainees understand and comply with funder public and open access mandates, navigate traditional and open access publishing options, and utilize required grant application and reporting tools from the National Library of Medicine. This position may also assist others on the team providing research impact assessment education and services and broader scholarly communication activities as needed. This is a full-time, exempt position, with a hybrid work schedule option, reporting to the Associate Director for Research Services.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Assist faculty, staff and trainees with NIH Public Access Policy awareness and compliance through the development and ongoing maintenance of web-based support materials, educational sessions to varied audiences on campus, and customized consultation services.
  • Provide education and support on the use of NCBI's My Bibliography and the NIH Manuscript Submission System.
  • Support awareness and compliance with public and open access policies from other funders beyond the NIH as needed.
  • Maintain effective communication with other groups on campus, including the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, to synergize compliance support efforts across the School of Medicine.
  • Provide information, education and support on traditional and open access publishing options.
  • Consult with faculty, staff and trainees on publishing policies, practices and issues to ensure library offerings and services are meeting the needs of research teams on campus.
  • Support the administration of open access publishing agreements.
  • Stay abreast of developments and trends related to publishing, public access, and grant compliance.
  • Work with others on the Becker Medical Library Research Services team as needed to collect and analyze data using various sources and bibliometric methods to report the impact of faculty and institutional publishing and research.
  • Collaborate on broader scholarly communication activities as needed.
  • Participate in library and university committees/projects as relevant.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
  • Normal office environment.
  • Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations.

Physical Effort
  • Typically sitting at a desk or a table.

Equipment
  • Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
No specific work experience is required for this position.
Skills:
Library Programming, Supervision
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
  • Experience in libraries and/or academic settings.
  • Familiarity with funder public and open access mandates.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of bibliographic and citation databases.
  • Proficiency with Excel or other spreadsheet/reporting platforms.

Preferred Qualifications
Education:
M.S. - Master of Science - Library Science
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Library Management, Library Services, Oral Communications, Written Communication
Grade
G11
Salary Range
$53,100.00 - $90,600.00 / Annually
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
  • Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
  • Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
  • Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
  • WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness
  • Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family
  • We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
  • WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.