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Reference Librarian Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Pittsburg State University

Library Aide

Pittsburg, KS · On-site

$15/hr

Provide reference and customer service duties in support of student success and faculty scholarly ... Librarian or the Dean of Library Services. * Collaborate with colleagues and customers in an ...

Pittsburg State University

Library Aide

Pittsburg, KS

$15/hr

Provide reference and customer service duties in support of student success and faculty scholarly ... Librarian or the Dean of Library Services. * Collaborate with colleagues and customers in an ...

City of Wichita, KS

Non-Fiction Selector

Wichita, KS · On-site

$50K - $90K/yr

Assists with evaluation and maintenance of adult nonfiction and adult reference collections at all library locations. * Provides excellent reader's advisory assistance to customers, both in person ...

New

City of Wichita

Non-Fiction Selector

Wichita, KS

$50K - $90K/yr

Assists with evaluation and maintenance of adult nonfiction and adult reference collections at all library locations. Provides excellent reader's advisory assistance to customers, both in person and ...

TeamHealth

Hospitalist job in Topeka KS

Topeka, KS

... reference library) - Free access to Medtigo for ACLS, BLS, and PALS recertification - No Non-Compete Clause: Allows full professional flexibility - Schedule-Based Time Off: No PTO accrual due to the ...

City of Wichita

Clerk I - Alford Branch

Wichita, KS · On-site

$14.86 - $36/hr

... library and community partner services and resources. Provide reader's advisory and reference assistance to all ages These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive Other related duties may be ...

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All JobsReference Librarian JobsReference Librarian Jobs in Kansas

Reference Librarian information

See Kansas salary details

$23.2K

$55.3K

$89.6K

How much do reference librarian jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for reference librarian in Kansas is $55,345.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,100.00 and $64,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are reference librarians?

Reference librarians are information professionals who assist library users in finding and accessing the resources they need. They help patrons with research, answer questions, provide guidance on using library catalogs and databases, and may offer instruction on information literacy. Reference librarians work in various settings, including public, academic, and special libraries, and play a key role in helping users navigate both print and electronic information sources.

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

To thrive as a Reference Librarian, you need a strong background in information science, research methods, and typically a Master's in Library Science (MLS). Familiarity with library management systems, online databases, and digital cataloging tools is essential. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and a customer-service mindset help you effectively assist diverse patrons. These skills ensure accurate information retrieval, positive user experiences, and the efficient management of library resources.

What is the difference between Reference Librarian vs Archivist?

AspectReference LibrarianArchivist
Required CredentialsMaster's degree in Library Science (MLS or MLIS)Bachelor's or Master's degree in History, Archival Studies, or related field; often MLS/MLIS preferred
Work EnvironmentPublic, academic, or special librariesArchives, museums, or historical repositories
Employer & IndustryLibraries, educational institutions, government agenciesHistorical societies, museums, government archives
Search & Comparison IntentAssisting library users with information retrievalPreserving and organizing historical records and documents

While both Reference Librarians and Archivists work with information and records, Reference Librarians primarily assist library visitors in finding resources within library collections, often in public or academic settings. Archivists focus on preserving, organizing, and managing historical records and documents, typically in archives or museums. Both roles require specialized education, but their work environments and primary functions differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by reference librarians and how can they be addressed?

Reference librarians often face challenges such as staying current with rapidly evolving information resources, managing multiple patron requests simultaneously, and assisting users with varying levels of research experience. To address these, many reference librarians participate in ongoing professional development, leverage digital tools to streamline research assistance, and collaborate closely with colleagues to share expertise. Building strong communication skills and maintaining a user-centered approach also help ensure that each patron receives effective, personalized support.

What Does a Reference Librarian Do?

The responsibilities of a reference librarian include offering reference services to library patrons, including both individuals and groups using reference sources provided by the library. Your job is to recommend, interpret, and evaluate these information sources, create research guides, and assist users with their academic and information searches. You help the library evaluate and develop their reference collection by selecting new sources and removing outdated materials. Other duties include staying updated on new library technology and emerging information, providing presentations on various reference topics, and creating displays promoting particular library collections and services.

More about Reference Librarian jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Reference Librarian jobs in Kansas? The most popular types of Reference Librarian jobs in Kansas are:
What are popular job titles related to Reference Librarian jobs in Kansas? For Reference Librarian jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Reference Librarian jobs in Kansas look for? The top searched job categories for Reference Librarian jobs in Kansas are:
What are popular job titles related to Reference Librarian jobs in KS? For Reference Librarian jobs in KS, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Reference Librarian jobs near you
Infographic showing various Reference Librarian job openings in Kansas as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Locum Tenens, 40% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,345 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Health Sciences Librarian

Kansas City University

Kansas City, KS • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Type:StaffJob Description:The Health Sciences Librarian / Library Manager provides leadership for library operations while delivering expert instruction, research support, and evidence-based practice education across the University. This role oversees day-to-day library services, supervises library personnel, and partners with faculty, students, and staff to advance teaching, learning, research, and scholarly activity on the Kansas City campus.
The Health Sciences Librarian / Library Manager position serves in a faculty appointment with responsibility for teaching medical informatics, information literacy, and evidence-based practice concepts. The position plays a key role in supporting reference and research, promoting effective use of health sciences information resources, and ensuring the Library's collections, services, and technologies align with institutional priorities.
Success in this role requires strong teaching and communication skills, expertise in biomedical information resources and evidence synthesis methodologies, effective personnel management, and a commitment to continuous improvement, service excellence, and academic collaboration.
The Health Sciences Librarian / Library Manager reports to the University Library Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead daily KC campus library operations and supervise library staff, including mentoring, performance management, workload coordination, and professional development activities
  • Deliver and assess instruction in medical informatics, information literacy, evidence-based practice, advanced literature searching, PICO question development, and critical appraisal of the biomedical literature
  • Integrate information literacy and research competencies into academic curricula through collaboration with faculty and academic programs using in-person, online, and hybrid instructional methods
  • Provide advanced reference, research, and consultation services to students, faculty, and staff, including support for evidence synthesis projects such as systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and other comprehensive literature reviews using established search methodologies and best practices
  • Support scholarly communication, research impact assessment, citation management, reproducibility, and responsible use of information resources
  • Contribute to library strategic planning, goal setting, assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives that support institutional priorities and accreditation requirements
  • Develop, implement, and improve library policies, procedures, workflows, and service models to enhance operational effectiveness and user experience
  • Manage the evaluation, selection, acquisition, and assessment of electronic resources, databases, educational technologies, and library collections to ensure alignment with teaching, learning, and research needs
  • Promote awareness and adoption of library resources, services, and technologies through outreach, training, and campus engagement activities
  • Represent the Library on institutional committees, professional organizations, and university initiatives while fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented environment

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Library Science, Information Science, or a related field required
  • Minimum two years of experience in a medical, health sciences, or academic library environment
  • Demonstrated expertise in biomedical and health sciences information resources, database searching, and evidence-based practice principles
  • Experience teaching information literacy, medical informatics, evidence-based medicine, or related topics in higher education or professional settings
  • Knowledge of integrated library systems, OCLC services, educational technologies, and online instructional platforms
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively across the institution

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting evidence synthesis projects, including systematic reviews and scoping reviews, preferred
  • Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) certification or eligibility preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer

KCU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.

Annual Security Report

KCU is committed to providing a safe campus for students, faculty, and staff. Our annual campus security report lists campus crimes and statistics for the campus and public areas around campus for the last three years, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU!

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