Welcome to the Illinois Library Job Board
Looking to advance your career? Find the latest library job openings from across the State of Illinois and surrounding areas right here. Use the filters below to search for available positions. Illinois Heartland Library System does not collect candidate resumes for outside organizations, but we do post open positions on our website to connect organizations with potential candidates.
Looking for Positions at IHLS?

Thank you for your interest in working for IHLS, named a 2022 Top Workplace by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. To find positions at IHLS when using a desktop computer, press ctrl + f (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system) or command + f (on a Mac) on the keyboard. Then, search “Illinois Heartland Library System” in the search box. If there are no positions listed for IHLS, consider sending us a resume and cover letter by emailing to jobs@illinoisheartland.org.
Job Posters
Open Library Jobs
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Champaign County Historical Archives Manager
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: The Urbana Free Library
Job Description: Now accepting applications for a full-time Archives Manager. Do you want to work where you can enrich the lives of the people in your community? The Urbana Free Library seeks a service-oriented, self-motivated individual to manage the Champaign County Historical Archives (CCHA). Duties include managing all aspects of the Archives and supervising Archives staff and volunteers. The CCHA is a department of the Library that maintains a research-level collection on the history and genealogy of Champaign County and its residents. The CCHA has diverse and outstanding collections, including over one million photographs; 25,000 books and journals; 500 maps; 250 oral histories; newspapers, newsletters, directories, and yearbooks. The Urbana Free Library has been serving the community for over 145 years – providing access to diverse resources and programs to encourage learning and enhance lives. If you are a friendly, energetic, and collaborative leader who would enjoy working in a community-centered environment, the Library invites you to apply.
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Youth Services Librarian
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Rantoul Public Library
Job Description: The Rantoul Public Library seeks a full-time Youth Services Librarian.
Responsibilities
Plan, promote, and implement activities for children and teens.
Manage the library’s children and young adult collections.
Work with the public at circulation/reference desk approximately 13 hours a week.
Work with and help to supervise staff, volunteers, and community service workers.
Communicate with local schools and other organizations that serve children.
Assist Library Director in managing library operations.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in Library science preferred. At minimum, must have college degree or equivalent experience working with children.
Must be comfortable working with people of all ages, especially young people and their caregivers.
Must have familiarity with children’s books and other media.
Must be comfortable working with computers and other technology.
Experience working with children.
Library experience preferred.
Ability to speak Spanish as well as English preferred.
Pay & Benefits
Pays $23 an hour.
Paid time off.
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Holly Thompson, Library Director, at
Rantoul Public Library
106 W. Flessner Ave.
Rantoul, IL 61866
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Library Director
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Forsyth Public Library
Job Description: Under the direction of the Forsyth Village Board and the Village Administrator, the Library Director oversees library operations to effectively serve the public. Responsibilities include hiring, supervising, evaluating and providing leadership to seven full and part-time staff; collection development; assisting in budget preparation; planning and facilitating library programming; filling out required reports to the state, system, or other agencies; and other tasks related to the growth and success of the library.
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Cataloger
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Hertzberg New Method
Job Description: This position requires a thorough knowledge of cataloging, classification procedures, and bibliographic resources.
Candidates will be required to possess a working knowledge of cataloging standards to include AACR2, Dewey, LCSH, MARC formats, as well as being familiar with RDA.
Duties will consist primarily of general cataloging work, dealing with a variety of materials, formats and subjects. Cataloging of digital resources and unique materials will be important aspects of the position.
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Librarian (History & Languages)
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: St. Louis Public Library
Job Description: Are you fascinated by real-life tales of travel, exploration, and adventure? Do you find yourself wanting to engage in conversations about the contributions of famous historical figures and the significance of events throughout the ages? Would you like to share your interest in different landscapes, languages, and lifestyles with others and develop dynamic, informative, and unique programs for a wide audience? We may have a position for you!
Central Library is looking for a full-time History and Languages Librarian. The Library values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings and how this positively impacts our services and customer base. We seek people who align with these values to join our team.
Our ideal candidate is someone who is creative, patient, and committed to providing excellent customer service. We are looking for someone enthusiastic about connecting individuals to the Library and passionate about working with the public.
In this role, you will:
Provide in-depth reference and readers’ advisory assistance for customers via face-to-face, email, and telephone interactions.
Create and present dynamic Library programs.
Collaborate with colleagues throughout the system and at local cultural institutions on projects, programs, and committees.
Maintain and promote the Library’s robust collection of circulating and reference materials, serials, and more, including weeding and evaluating those collections.
Oversee passport services at Central Library and serve as Government Documents Coordinator for the Library.
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Director
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Nippersink Public Library District
Job Description: Trustees of the Nippersink Public Library District (NPLD) in Richmond, Illinois, are looking for an innovative, community-focused new Director. The Library serves 11,083 people living in Richmond, Spring Grove, and the surrounding areas. A $815,000 budget supports 12 staff members and robust programming for preschoolers and seniors. The next Director will work to improve offerings by targeting different age groups and events scheduled for a variety of times. Filling a key vacancy will allow the chosen leader to have an almost immediate impact on the team they lead and the services the Library provides.
The Library building is well-maintained with the most recent project modernizing the elevators expected to conclude by the end of the year. The Board recently commissioned a facilities assessment to guide future projects. The Library has the strong financial foundation necessary to accomplish these goals through planning and prudent execution. A needed strategic plan will similarly guide services and will be a priority for the incoming Director. Other goals will likely include expanded programming, further community outreach, and establishing point-of-need services.
The Library is led by a 7 member, elected Board of Trustees with a long, productive tradition of working hand-in-glove with the Director. Minimum qualifications for the position include a Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program, with 5 years of related work and 3 years of supervisory experience. The successful candidate must possess the discipline to manage competing priorities, the emotional intelligence to support the team, and the ability to build relationships with community organizations and their leaders. They must provide the proper setting for the recruitment, evaluation, and development of staff that mirrors the community. Top-notch communication skills are also required.
NPLD is located in the northeast corner of McHenry County, along the Wisconsin border, with the building located in the historic City of Richmond. The beautiful Chain O’Lakes State Park is nearby offering unique opportunities for library partnerships as well as fun activities for family, and friends. The McHenry County Conservation District offers plenty of trails, dog parks and assorted outdoor winter activities. The surrounding area is culturally active with live theater, music, and art galleries.
This is a full-time, exempt position with a minimum annual salary of $81,000, with some flexibility for professional achievements. The Library also offers a generous benefits package including paid holidays; vacation, and sick days; medical, dental and life insurance; and participation in the much sought-after Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
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Library Director
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Atwood-Hammond Public Library District
Job Description: The position is responsible for all aspects of administration of the Library, including budgeting, collection development and management; programming and public relations; supervision of a 4 member staff and custodial services. The Director is responsible to a 7 member elected Board of Trustees. Job Description is available by request.
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Programming Specialist
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: The Urbana Free Library
Job Description: The Programming Specialist functions as a member of a team that participates in youth outreach and programming; provides excellent service to patrons; and carries out other duties as assigned. The Programming Specialist focuses on developing and executing excellent youth programs that can be taken into the community and fostering strong relationships with the community and partner organizations. The Programming Specialist reports to the Programming & Outreach Manager.
The Ideal Candidate:
Demonstrates substantial knowledge of outreach to specialized groups, such as teens, children, ESL students, parents, recreational readers, and non-library users.
Develops and implements new and existing programs, outreach events, and partnerships for a diverse community using an awareness of popular culture and personal knowledge of current affairs and local events.
Demonstrates bilingual skills (English and Spanish, French, or Chinese).
Has excellent organizational, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.
Excellent communication skills (written and public speaking)
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Library Director
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Arcola Public Library
Job Description: Duties include:
Preparing and completing reports and records, including budget
Supervising and scheduling library staff, including delegating duties and responsibilities
Maintaining standards and implementing procedures for circulation
Customer account maintenance and outreach
Programming activities for all ages
Selecting materials, including books and periodicals
Fulfilling interlibrary loans
Communicating upcoming events and announcements with community via social media and website
Salary:
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
IMRF contributions for full-time
Benefits include paid vacation and paid holidays
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Operations Manager
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Illinois Heartland Library System - Champaign Hub
Job Description: Do you have great customer service skills, delivery and supervisory experience, and understand the importance of serving our member libraries efficiently and effectively? If so, then we have a position for you!
As our Operations Manager, you will oversee the distribution of library materials by supervising the sorting process and managing 7 delivery routes that cover approximately 1,500 miles daily. Also, you will play a critical role in providing leadership to the operations team and are responsible for ensuring that facility and vehicle maintenance/repairs are completed.
Here’s what else you will be doing:
• Enforce a culture of safety and accountability
• Possess a solutions driven mindset
• Demonstrate proactive communication
• Effectively oversee and manage preventative maintenance on delivery vans
• Focus on training and development of the team
• Plan work assignments and equipment allocations to meet transportation and operation goals
• Manage operations to ensure that it is being performed properly and efficiently
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Head of Access Services
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Northern Illinois University Libraries
Job Description: The Head of Access Services generally oversees the Circulation Services, Information Delivery Services (which includes Billing), and Reserves units, which together, represent 3 of the 4 major public services units that patrons interact with on a regular basis. These units control the flow of materials to and from our library/our patrons, as well as to/from other libraries / their patrons. This position is critical for monitoring and directing operational accuracy and efficiency. This position also provides key data and reports necessary to inform collection decisions and strategic initiatives and for use in annual reports for the university, for ACRL, for CARLI, etc.
Departmental Administration, Tools, and Services
Leads by example and plays a key role in maintaining excellent patron service, including covering service points and performing daily operational tasks within units as needed.
Serves as an Alma Fulfillment administrator.
Gathers, analyzes, interprets, and reports statistical and qualitative information about departmental services.
Serves as a key contact to other units within the library, on campus, and to CARLI, OCLC, and other institutions/agencies on all matters related to the primary functions of the department.
Has or acquires working knowledge of resources used in the department including the ILS, interlibrary loan management / document delivery systems, consortially-used systems, library catalogs, databases, library electronic resources, and Internet resources. In collaboration with key staff, may instruct internal or external stakeholders on the use of such resources.
Has or acquires familiarity with copyright issues in academic libraries in relation to interlibrary loan and e-Reserves.
Serves as the key liaison and facilitates communication between the User Services department and other departments within the Libraries, as well as with NIU’s patron community. Handles faculty patrons’ User Services-related concerns, problems, and correspondence.
Communicates with all patrons regarding the approval of replacement books. Authorizes appropriate replacement items and facilitates replacement process.
Personnel Management and Supervision
Establishes departmental and supervisees’ goals, objectives, and key performance indicators.
In collaboration with the Associate Dean and key staff, writes, reviews, interprets, and/or updates policies and procedures for all units of the department (Billing, Circulation, IDS/Mailroom, Reserves, and Stacks Maintenance) as necessary. Promotes patron satisfaction through communication and education about departmental policies, procedures, and services.
Hires, trains, and supervises 2 FTE employees including interviewing, hiring, time reporting, performance evaluations, training, and daily work operations.
Proposes, monitors, and manages the department’s student employee budget in collaboration with the Associate Dean and LOAs.
Promotes staff development.
Perform Other Duties as Assigned
Assumes other duties, participates in special projects, and serves on committees in the library and across the university as needed or assigned.
Northern Illinois University (NIU) strives to improve outcomes for all students by identifying and removing barriers that disproportionately hinder the academic achievement and student experience of historically and currently underserved populations. Applicants of diverse and marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a commitment to developing core competencies for working with and serving diverse populations. The University Libraries at NIU recognizes and affirms the essential dignity of all people by honoring and celebrating diversity, fostering inclusion, and actively working toward equity and social justice for students, faculty, staff, and members of our broader community. We support NIU’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and strive to build an anti-racist organization which acknowledges that libraries have engaged in the oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as other traditionally marginalized populations, and endeavors to dismantle systems of oppression that uphold white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and ableism. For more information, visit the University Libraries' Commitment to Diversity and Anti-Racism (http://go.niu.edu/ULdiversity).
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Special Collections Coordinator
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Northern Illinois University
Job Description: The staff member in this position serves as the Special Collections Coordinator for the Special Collections and Archives (SCA) Department with a primary focus on books and other published materials within the department. The Special Collections Coordinator is supervised by the Rare Books Librarian and works with other SCA full-time staff and student employees on a variety of special collections-related tasks and projects across the department. This includes books, periodicals, and other manuscript holdings in the Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) unit and the Regional History Center and University Archives (RHCUA) unit. This position has three primary areas of responsibility: Project Management and Personnel Supervision, Public and Administrative Services, and Collections Management.
Project Management and Personnel Supervision
* Develops collection processing plans, estimating work hours to complete.
* Assigns students to projects, tracks project progress, and provides regular updates to department associates.
* Hires, trains, and evaluates student workers to help with reference services (e.g., paging items, assisting researchers) and processing archival records, manuscripts, and print materials.
* Maintains a training and policy manual for student employees.
* Assesses collection backlog to identify and prioritize collection projects.
* Monitors the status of the student payroll budget and approves timesheets.
Public and Administrative Services
* Fulfills reference requests including answering letters, emails, and telephone inquiries pertaining to the department and its various collections.
* Assists in-person users during research sessions, group tours, class presentations, and other onsite activities.
* Coordinates with other department personnel on public programs, instruction, outreach, and promotional efforts.
* Coordinates with digitization unit to fulfill user requests.
* Compiles statistical information on productivity (including reference and digitization requests and material use statistics), project development, and inventory control. *Provides reports on the operations as needed.
Collections Management
* Ensures collections are in a usable and protected state by conducting regular reviews of condition, storage environment, and potential risks (e.g., fragility, infestations, water damage).
* Performs basic conservation treatments (e.g., creates protective enclosures) for items in disrepair or deteriorating condition. Identifies and isolates items in need of more extensive treatment such as those suffering from water damage, mold, or pests.
* Participates in Library and University-wide efforts to adopt preservation-minded digital formats and encoding practices to ensure the long-term retention of electronic records, including unique datasets and born-digital publications.
* Serves as a liaison to the cataloging unit and coordinates with faculty and staff from other library departments on matters pertaining to metadata, technology, collection use, and digitization projects.
* Processes items for cataloging and performs quality control checks on catalog records to ensure completeness and accuracy.
* Collaborates with the Rare Books Librarian and other SCA staff to acquire materials. Maintain collection case files, including bibliographic searching, evaluating, working with cataloging and with colleagues in the development office and Library Administration.
Perform Other Duties as Assigned
* Assists with special projects and initiatives related to the research, education, and service mission of the department, library, and university.
Northern Illinois University (NIU) strives to improve outcomes for all students by identifying and removing barriers that disproportionately hinder the academic achievement and student experience of historically and currently underserved populations. Applicants of diverse and marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a commitment to developing core competencies for working with and serving diverse populations. The University Libraries at NIU recognizes and affirms the essential dignity of all people by honoring and celebrating diversity, fostering inclusion, and actively working toward equity and social justice for students, faculty, staff, and members of our broader community. We support NIU’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and strive to build an anti-racist organization which acknowledges that libraries have engaged in the oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as other traditionally marginalized populations, and endeavors to dismantle systems of oppression that uphold white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and ableism. For more information, visit the University Libraries' Commitment to Diversity and Anti-Racism (http://go.niu.edu/ULdiversity).
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Teen Outreach Librarian
Employment Type: Full-time
Library/Organization Name: Joliet Public Library
Job Description: The Joliet Public Library is looking for a dynamic and innovative Teen Outreach Librarian to coordinate programming, community visits, and collection development at our newly renovated Ottawa Street location and in partnership with staff at our Black Road building. Joliet is an economically and ethnically diverse community of 150,000 residents encompassing four school districts, a mix of urban and suburban environments, and a large Spanish-speaking population. Ottawa Street’s Teen Hub features study rooms, gaming systems, and comfortable seating. This special space is open after-school to draw a mix of middle and high school students. The Library’s Teen Volunteer Corps provides local service opportunities while showing high school students all that we have to offer. Youth Services already has fabulous relationships with schools and community organizations allowing for a variety of ways to reach-out and impact the lives of Joliet teenagers.
The deadline to apply: September 21,2023