COVER LETTERS

For Librarians

COMMUNICATING YOUR VALUE TO EMPLOYERS

What are Cover Letters?

Cover letters, also known as letters of interest, are the letters you will send to introduce

yourself to potential employers. These letters often make a difference in whether or not

you are considered for a position. Remember, since your job search letters will be seen as a

sample of your written communication skills, you must proofread your letters carefully for

spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. You should have your letter reviewed and

edited by a trusted colleague or career development professional.

What’s Inside the Guide?

Basic structure of how to compose a cover letter and examples

More Resources and Help

Books on cover letters are available in libraries!

Open Cover Letters.com – a site founded by a librarian that has example letters

http://opencoverletters.com/

Special thank you to Tara Iagulli and the

University of Texas School of Information Career Development Center

Cover Letters~Letters of Interest

Cover letters accompany résumés and serve as your personal introduction. Letters are an opportunity to

highlight your strengths and tell your story in the most positive light to potential employers. Your goal is

to convince the employer that you have all of the skills needed for their particular position plus extra

qualities that will make you a strong addition to their team.

A cover letter should:

- Be tailored to the posting for which you are applying

- Catch the reader's attention & motivate him to want to know more (review résumé)

- Move the reader to take action (schedule an interview)

Advantage of Connections

Letters provide the freedom to make connections between experiences that are simply not possible in

the context of a résumé. Your letter provides the platform for you to highlight the strengths that emerge

from your diverse experiences (time management, creativity, leadership, etc.) Think about what the

employer wants and use your cover letter as a “connector” between those desired skills and your

talents/experiences. Research the employer and “match” the language they use in the job description.

Demonstrate to the employer that you possess the skills they seek.

Format

How long should the letter be?

A cover letter is often one page and 3-5 paragraphs single-spaced. For some positions, namely academic

libraries and archives, it may be necessary to have two full pages to properly address the requirements in

the job description. Typically, requirements must be addressed in either the résumé or cover letter for you

to score an interview.

Structure

I. Introduce & Connect

Catch the reader’s attention. What makes you uniquely qualified? Why should I keep reading? Intrigue

the reader with something special about yourself or a compelling reason why you want this position.

Establish a connection to the company by tying together your interests to their needs. Express your

interest in the organization and why you are interested in this particular kind of work. Emphasize your

knowledge about the organization and your familiarity with the industry.

Think of this business letter like any academic paper you have written where you developed a thesis and

supported it. Create a self-thesis that asserts your value up front and then support this self-thesis throughout

the rest of your letter with the evidence from your experiences.

Self-thesis example: “My technical acuity, project management skills and experience in a top-tier

research library will allow me to design effective user interfaces as your UX Librarian.”

Introduce yourself (university, degree, major/focus, graduation date). State the position for which you are

applying and how you learned of the position (if it is interesting). Mention informal connections if any

exist. If someone has referred you, include that person's name at the beginning of your introduction.

II. Sell

Use a job description to match your skills to the required qualifications and emphasize the relevant

experience, qualities, and skills that make you a valuable asset to the employer.

In the “selling” paragraphs your goal is to support any assertions you made in your self-thesis with

concrete evidence from your experiences. It is often best to organize the paragraphs by the most

valuable skill sets to position (since your résumé has already accounted for your history).

Weave your varied experiences throughout the paragraphs to show how you have developed the “wanted

skills” in multiple environments both through work experiences and coursework.

III. Close the Deal

Draft a concluding statement about your qualifications as a candidate (i.e., restate your thesis). Tell the

reader that you would like to further address your qualifications in an interview; be confident and assertive

in your desire to be considered as a serious candidate. If applying for a position in another city and you

plan to be in their area in the near future, include the dates and make it sound easy for the reader to meet

with you. Express your appreciation for their consideration and how you can best be reached (email,

phone, & availability).

Cover Letter Examples

Reviewing cover letters in isolation is futile as their strength can only be determined in conjunction with

the job description the letter addresses. The following section contains actual job postings and the cover

letters (identifying information modified) that were successful in scoring interviews. The job postings are

first with the corresponding letters directly after; all examples have corresponding numbers.

Posting Example #1 – School Librarian/Media Specialist

Qualifications and duties include:

1. Work closely with faculty and students to develop and integrate information, technology, learning

resources, and research skills into the curriculum

2. Partner with Technology Director to integrate Media Literacy Standards throughout the curriculum

3. Provide training in media technologies

4. Maintain and oversee the library and ensure a space that is engaging, inviting and encourages a love of

reading

5. Supervise parent volunteers

6. Teaches best practice in research tools, critical analysis of sources, citation, and ethical use of materials

7. Maintain and advance the library’s collections, including digital information sources and databases;

evaluate, weed, and donate books from the collection

8. Oversee the library circulation services, databases, budget, and facility

9. Coordinate with teachers the use and scheduling of materials for classroom instruction

Requirements:

Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited university required;

experience in a K-8 library preferred.

Letter Example #1 – School Librarian/Media Specialist

1125 Rio Grande

Austin, TX 78701

March 19, 2010

Selective Private School

4600 Bee Cave Road

Austin, TX 78746

Dear Selection Committee:

I am passionate about educating children and have been teaching at a small private school for the past two

years. I was excited to learn that Selective Private School will be looking for a Librarian/Media Specialist

since this is the opportunity I have been waiting for since I completed my Masters of Science in

Information Studies at the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. During my graduate studies, one of my

most memorable courses, “Electronic Resources for Children and Youth,” was taught by a private school

elementary librarian, Ms. Smith, who stressed the importance of teaching information literacy in order to

provide students with the tools they need to become critical thinkers. The topic of information literacy

resonated with me and I see the librarian as the catalyst for literacy efforts in schools.

As an elementary teacher with a library science educational background, I am already actively engaged in

supporting my own curriculum so the transition to supporting your faculty would be virtually seamless for

me. I have also become the go-to person for book ideas among the primary teachers at my current school.

This has reinvigorated my interest in collaboration and working with faculty members and students to

create an integrated curriculum and teach best practices. Additionally, maintaining a web page for my

classroom to communicate my ideas and intentions to students, parents, and colleagues has honed my

aptitude for technical endeavors and written expression. My previous role as a volunteer coordinator for a

non-profit here in Austin taught me how to capitalize on a person’s interest to create investment and

commitment, which has been invaluable in my interactions with parent volunteers at my school and will

likewise be at Selective.

Knowing that I intended to provide literature-based instruction for my students, my first task as a new

teacher was to set up my classroom library. I modeled this library on the reading nook that I have in my

own home. I was striving for just the right blend of cozy and inviting with organized and accessible. Based

on how frequently books are flying off the shelves in my room, I think I succeeded.

Thank you for considering my application. Selective School’s commitment to academic excellence is well

known and I would be delighted to be a part of a community of educators who pride themselves on

celebrating each child as an individual.

Sincerely,

Top iSchool Talent

Posting Example #2 – Corporate Librarian

Ravens, Inc. is seeking a high-energy, creative Technology Librarian to establish best-in-class systems and

processes and manage documentation and information resources. The librarian is responsible for

managing a technology library of books, journals, and periodicals and coordinating all internal websites

(blogs, wikis, etc.) used for technical discussions. You will work to improve these sites and promote their

adoption and use throughout the company.

The Technology Librarian should have an MLS degree from an ALA-accredited program; minor in

computer science or similar field is a big plus.

Energy, drive, and outgoing personality are high on the list of requirements. This position requires

excellent communication skills; the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment; and knowledge

of library operations and Microsoft applications. Experience with digitization projects, web-authoring

tools, and adaptive technology is a plus. The successful candidate will have demonstrated knowledge of

current and emerging trends, issues and best practices in digital library initiatives and projects, and the

technologies used to support those initiatives.

Ravens, Inc. is recognized worldwide as a leading supplier of signal processing components for audio and

energy applications. Founded in 1984 with headquarters in Portland, Maine, Ravens, Inc. is fabless, and

has more than 1,000 patents that are key to our more than 700 products serving more than 3,000 end

customers globally.

Letter Example #2 – Corporate Librarian

Annabel Lee

1616 Guadalupe Street – Austin, TX 78704

alee@thesea.com – 512.555.5555

Via Electronic Submission

Ravens, Inc.

Human Resources

7777 Chillingstown Lane

Portland, ME 14101

May 14, 2010

Dear Ms. Edgar and Selection Committee:

RE: Requisition ID: 0013, Corporate Librarian

As an innovative, technically skilled, and service-oriented information professional, I am excited by the

possibility of joining your team as a Corporate Librarian at Ravens, Inc. I have just completed my Masters

of Science of Information Studies from the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin (an

ALA-accredited institution). In my graduate studies, I focused on understanding and serving library users,

digital libraries, and emerging trends in new technologies. In addition to my academic credentials, I bring

enthusiasm, creativity, technological fearlessness, and four years of relevant experience.

As the current “face” of the iSchool, I welcome all visitors, faculty, students, and their questions with a

smile and an answer; my positive nature and high-energy approach is characteristic of the way that I

engage with people and challenges. Having worked in both traditional libraries as well as the fast-paced

intellectual property environment, I understand the importance of providing easy access to organized

resources and effective utilization of complex information systems. I have made working with Web 2.0

technologies, databases, and digital libraries an integral part of my graduate studies, and I am prepared to

confidently assess, optimize, and manage their use and implementation. Several of my collaborative

projects have given me the opportunity to create practical web applications, develop wikis, and create

online instructional materials, all in an effort to implement tools that connect users with the information

that they need to be successful.

I know that merely creating the tools or having the technology library is not enough; employees need to

understand how to use these tools and that these systems and resources are available in the first place.

Training, support, and advocacy are necessary roles that any librarian must be prepared to take on, and I

am ready to address these challenges with vigor.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. My experience and background make me an ideal

candidate for the Corporate Librarian position, and I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I

can become an integral part of your team at Ravens, Inc.

Best Regards,

Annabel Lee

Posting Example #3 – Marketing Research Analyst

Job Description:

Global law firm, has a unique and exciting opportunity available for an

experienced Marketing Research Analyst. Under the supervision of the Research and

Intelligence Manager and as a member of the wider Research Department, the incumbent

works closely with our Marketing Department and senior management to conduct research and analysis of

companies, industries, markets, and competitors and deliver meaningful insights in concise and compelling

ways. The position requires independent thinking, attention to detail, strong oral and written

communication skills, and effective management of time in a fast‐ paced environment. The ideal candidate

will also have the ability to work well in a virtual collaborative environment and on a flexible work

schedule.

Responsibilities include:

 Research, analyze, synthesize, and distill complex facts and data into meaningful and

actionable intelligence, and create comprehensive, analytical reports of research findings

for various business development and marketing purposes;

 Analyze prospective and current clients, and forecast potential legal developments and

business opportunities to determine if the firm’s capabilities match well with potential legal needs;

 Synthesize research findings to create company profiles, industry overviews and

biographical summaries for client meetings, pitches, RFPs, etc.;

 Create alerts and newsletters to monitor business development opportunities;

 Coordinate and collaborate with members of a virtual team on large scale projects;

 Monitor clients, industries, competitor law firms, and global economic, political and

regulatory events using subscription databases, newsfeeds, Websites, journals, etc.

 Build trust and respect with Marketing staff, attorneys and other research staff;

 Perform other duties as required

The successful candidate will have:

 MLS or equivalent required; JD preferred

 2‐ 3 years of law firm or professional services experience;

 Proven analytical abilities to review information and evaluate its reliability, completeness, relevance, and

importance to the assignment;

 Proficiency in searching and extracting information from databases such as Monitor Suite, Capital IQ,

OneSource (Avention), Bloomberg Terminal, Bloomberg Law, Lexis.com, Westlaw, etc.;

 Demonstrated proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat;

 Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;

 Strong time management skills and ability to multi‐ task;

 Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a virtual team

environment, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, complete detailed work accurately

and with minimal supervision

Letter Example #3 – Marketing Research Analyst

Dear Ms. Smith:

As an information professional in the legal field, I am intrigued by your Marketing Research Analyst

position. My strong interpersonal skills and years of experience in information analysis, data evaluation and

research synthesis indicate that I would be an excellent candidate.

My time as a business valuation analyst required comfort with extensive knowledge gathering ranging from

site evaluations of companies, to reviewing financial information and business plans, to investigating

competitor advantages. Mining the tricky divide between qualitative and quantitative analysis was essential

as independent valuation depends on forecasting returns on known assets and risks--assessing intrinsic and

hypothetical value, all of which can change at any time.

Trend analysis was also part of my role as a librarian co-op at IBM Austin. Inventors and business

development leaders sought up-to-the-minute information from reputable resources and required

continual refreshing of the library’s holdings.

My current position affords me the opportunity to continue honing my research skills as I work closely

with all levels of the state's judiciary in monitoring and improving data sets required by state statute. I

respond to information queries from judges, clerks, legislators, the media, and members of the public in

relation to this complex, fluctuating data. My 10 years of experience in editing and publishing provide a

unique perspective as to the delicate balance required when producing detailed, fact-driven information,

such as the annual Statistical Report for the Texas Judiciary, which reaches a large and varied audience. I

excel at drilling down to details while also being able to keep a keen perspective on the big picture, a skill

set I think you need in this Research Analyst position. I would be happy to provide more specific examples

of how I manage these two ends of the data spectrum in an interview.

I would appreciate the opportunity to expand on my experience and my enthusiasm for legal and business

analytics at Global Law Firm. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best Regards,

Experienced Librarian

Posting Example #4 – Instructional and Electronic Services Librarian

Description: Instructional and Electronic Services Librarian

Ten-month, tenure track, Assistant Professor.

Coordinate with other librarians and classroom faculty to encourage, develop, facilitate, and assess

integration of library/information literacy initiatives within both the general education program and the

majors.

Provide extensive instruction of patrons in the use of library resources within the context of an

undergraduate liberal arts college. Provide general reference assistance (10-15 hours each week including

one evening).

Assist in maintaining the library's web site, including remote database and resource access.

= Candidate must possess up-to-date knowledge of, and experience with, computer technology and its

application in an academic setting.

= Participate occasionally in the college's interdisciplinary, values-oriented general education program.

= Position liaisons with the creative arts faculty regarding service needs and resources.

= ALA approved M.L.S. or equivalent degree required.

Letter Example #4 – Instructional and Electronic Services Librarian

MANDY LIBRARIAN

6000 Duval Street Apt. 102 * Austin, TX 78751 * (561) 444-5666 * mandylibrarian@gmail.com

www.mandylibrarian.com

October 28, 2011

Dear Mrs. Gill:

I hope to apply my passion for creating information literacy programs as your Instructional and Electronic

Services Librarian at Pharmacy College. I will complete my Master of Science in Information Studies from

the University of Texas at Austin (ALA-accredited) this spring. With two years of instruction and

reference experience in academic libraries, strong technical skills, and a proven commitment to lead groups

and foster communities that achieve goals, I believe you will find me to a good fit for your team.

As a Teach for America fellow for two years, I was heavily steeped in the best practices for curriculum

development and instructional delivery. This experience has translated directly to my ability and desire to

lead library instruction sessions. Working within the Information and Research Services department at UT

Austin’s main library, I have taught Introduction to the UT Libraries classes and have assisted with our

EndNote for Macs class. I will continue to teach these classes during the spring and start a Zotero class as

well. I am currently coordinating with a colleague to design, develop and facilitate a class on Mendeley, a

bibliographic citation tool. Additionally, I have created curriculum for and have given introductory tours to

the library. During these tours, I orient patrons to the library and instruct them on library resources. I feel

comfortable presenting in front of a class or group and I’m adept at reframing explanations, incorporating

new educational technology, as well as adapting to technical glitches. Given Pharmacy College’s focus on

library instruction, I could use my skills to teach library instruction sessions and create course guides.

Though I enjoy working with groups, the one-on-one problem solving that occurs during reference is

always a fun and rewarding part of librarianship. I provide online and in-person reference assistance to

students, staff, faculty, and the general public daily. I regularly answer ready reference as well as in depth

research questions and am skilled in using our numerous databases including ARTstor and Oxford

Reference. I often teach undergraduate students how to use the library resources as we search together

and feel that reference is an extension of literacy and instruction initiatives. I was especially excited to

learn about Pharmacy College’s Outreach Librarian Program, and its ability to extend information about

library services to those students who do not come to the library and may need it the most. I have also

taken on the initiative to train staff members in the UT Libraries community on current reference topics.

At our last Reference Showcase, I co-presented about using Web of Science and Publish or Perish to

create citation reports. Additionally, I have presented on the effect of Resource Description and Access

(RDA) on reference services at a Research and Information Services staff meeting.

I enjoy problem solving and learning new technologies that can be used for instruction, reference, and

promoting resources. I have taught myself how to update pages using Drupal and how to create Web

pages by modifying the HTML and CSS. Additionally, I have created and maintained blogs using

Wordpress. I have helped promote the Hearts of Texas fundraising campaign for the UT Libraries by

maintaining the Hearts of Texas Website and by creating a blog, which allows all staff members to update

and immediately populate information within the main Web page. I also use Camtasia Studio to create

tutorial videos and have trained a colleague on the software. I develop QR codes to promote the videos

and allow users to access them at the point of need. I could utilize these skills by adding to the two

tutorials, which are listed on the Pharmacy College Library Website. As a co-director of the ALA/TLA

Student Chapter, I use Web 2.0 technologies including blogs, Facebook, e-mail LISTSERVs, and Twitter

to advertise our events. As a teacher, I regularly integrated new technology into my classroom including

document cameras and promethean boards. In the spring, I will create a Content Management System for

an elementary school library as the culminating project for my degree. My Web page,

www.mandylibrarian.com has samples of my work and evidence of my Website building skills if you are

interested in seeing more.

I enjoy acting as a liaison between different groups and committing to professional service. This summer,

I worked with the seven other student group leaders at the UT Austin School of Information to propose

and initiate the first annual Student Welcome Week for our 85 incoming students. By coordinating with

each of the seven student groups, we were able to collaboratively hold events leading up to the first day of

classes. I plan to increase my role in the American Library Association and have just been appointed to a

committee in the International Relations Round Table. I also plan to continue my service by presenting

research. I have currently presented at the School of Information Technology Showcase and at the

Sunshine State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Conference.

I look forward to hearing from you. Should you have any questions regarding my skills or qualifications,

please feel free to call me at 561-444-5666 or e-mail me at mandylibrarian@gmail.com. I will be in

Virginia for the winter holidays and could easily come down to meet in person. Thank you.

Regards,

Mandy D. Librarian

Posting Example #5 – Public Services Librarian (special collection)

Martin-Caruana Memorial Library invites applications and nominations for the position of Public Services

Librarian for the Portswood Research Collection (PRC). The library seeks to build its professional staff by

recruiting talented, energetic librarians interested in shaping the future of Vanmetre. The PRC Public

Services Librarian will combine a strong service-orientation with an interest in collection development,

outreach, and reference to ensure that PRC maintains and builds upon the high level of patron service for

which it is renowned.

Position Description

The Public Services Librarian will help coordinate all aspects of PRC reference services, including reading

room management, outreach, and instruction; serve as a member of the PRC collection development team

with special responsibilities for print and ephemera; develop reference expertise in Portswood studies

including the arts, humanities, and sciences; supervise stacks maintenance; serve as a liaison to Technical

Services and Web Services; and other duties as assigned. Supervises student workers as needed. Includes

some weekend duty. Reports to the Head of the Portswood Research Collection.

Qualifications

Requirements:

= ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or equivalent; or, an advanced degree with comparable professional-level

work experience in a state-focused Special Collections library;

= ability to work independently and as part of a team;

= attention to detail;

= excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills;

= ability to work collegially and constructively with others.

Preferred:

= ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or equivalent with a specialty in special collections or archives;

= work experience in a state-focused Special Collections library; experience using the cataloging and

collection development modules of an integrated library system, especially Ex Libris Voyager;

= experience with collection development, especially in a rare books or special collections setting;

= an understanding of archival arrangement and description;

= working experience in an ARL library;

= familiarity with CONTENTdm, Archon, DACS, EAD, and HTML; record of contributions to the

library or archival profession; scholarly or creative contributions to any aspect of Portswood arts,

humanities, or sciences;

= reading knowledge of French or Spanish.

Letter Example #5 – Public Services Librarian (special collection)

Delphina Brisko

1616 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78701 - 555-555-5555 – dbrisko@ischool.utexas.edu

June 9, 2010

Penney Raudales

Vanmetre University

Martin-Caruana Memorial Library

100 Main St.

Portswood, TX 78701

Dear Ms. Raudales:

Having previously lived in Portswood for ten years, I developed both an affinity for and deeper

understanding of the town’s rich cultural heritage and history. I recently completed my master’s in

Information Studies and the prospect of returning to serve a renowned private institution while also

contributing to the town of Portswood is exciting. My background in humanities, Spanish, and archives

makes me an ideal candidate for the Public Services Librarian position with the Portswood Research

Collection at Vanmetre University.

My passion for historical documents, experience with archives, and technical reference proficiency will

allow me to help facilitate research conducted by library users. I utilized ANCS+ and OpenCollection to

catalog archival objects with appropriate metadata while interning with the National Park Service and

volunteering at the Neville Feighan Research Center. This past year, I taught fellow graduate students how

to use HTML and CSS to build web pages as an IT Lab Teaching Assistant, and provided one-on-one

assistance to help students master technologies related to libraries and archives.

My graduate studies included courses in archives and library science, records management, rare books,

special collections, preservation, and organizing information using EAD, XML, and MARC. In one class, I

focused my final paper on ephemera in rare book libraries and special collections. As part of this position

includes special responsibilities within the Portswood Ephemera Collection, I feel especially prepared for

the preservation, reference services, and singular knowledge that these materials require. I am also an

enthusiastic leader and served as Vice President of my school’s chapter of the Society of American

Archivists in 2009, during which time I helped plan Archives Week events and led multiple outreach

activities.

I have already contributed to the profession by presenting a session on my digital archive project in

DSpace at the Society of Southwest Archivists convention this past April and producing a poster

presentation at the Society of American Archivists annual meeting in 2009. I would continue to develop

scholarship at Vanmetre.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Working at Vanmetre University’s Martin-Caruana Memorial

Library would be the perfect opportunity to use my knowledge of archives, humanities, history, and

technology to enhance patron services. I look forward to further discussing in person how I might use my

qualifications positively within the Portswood Research Collection.

Best regards,

Delphina Brisko

Letter Example #6 – Research University Librarian I - Librarian for First-Year Programs

Purpose

To support the development of information literacy skills for students in their first year at the University.

Essential Functions

Provides information literacy instruction through in-person or online sessions, research guides, tutorials,

assignments/exercises and consultations and collaborations with faculty and teaching assistants. Serves as

liaison to the School of Undergraduate Studies (UGS), to include coordinating library involvement with

the Signature Courses program and the Freshman Interest Group program. Coordinates library

involvement with other campus programs aimed at new students, including the Summer Orientation

program. Provides expert research assistance to UT Libraries users. Manages information literacy content

on the Web, including the Information Literacy Toolkit and How-to Guides for undergraduates. Works

closely with Teaching and Learning Services on departmental projects. Serves on Libraries and University

committees and working groups, including a Libraries-wide instruction learning community.

Marginal/Incidental functions

Other related functions as assigned.

Required qualifications

MLS from an ALA accredited graduate program. Experience planning and teaching library instruction

sessions to undergraduates. Experience creating library instruction materials such as tutorials, research

guides and assignments. Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the first-year experience and current

trends in information literacy instruction. Strong service orientation with a demonstrated commitment to

public and customer service. Experience providing reference service in an academic library. Evidence of

excellent communication, writing, public speaking, teaching, interpersonal and analytical skills. Proven

ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and work cooperatively and collaboratively in a fast-

paced, team-oriented and student-centered environment. Demonstrated willingness to respond to new

opportunities with initiative, creative energy and leadership. Equivalent combination of relevant education

and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience collaborating with faculty on information literacy initiatives. Experience liaising with an

academic department. Experience assessing student learning. Experience managing a program. Experience

mentoring people to teach.

Working conditions

May work around standard office conditions Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Use of manual

dexterity Work under stress, work as team member and work independently. Ability to work on multiple,

overlapping projects. Commitment to provide excellent customer service.

Letter Example #6 – University Librarian for First-Year Programs

February 3, 2015

Major Research University

Their Address

Dear Search Committee:

As a teaching librarian with an in depth knowledge of the Major Research University (MRU) library

system, I am the ideal candidate for the Librarian for First-Year Programs position. My background as a

service-focused manager of reference services and a departmental liaison will help me be a collaborative

asset to the university libraries, but it is my passion for information literacy in the first-year experience that

will allow me to excel in this position.

The Teaching and Learning Services Department requires a candidate well-versed in instruction and I have

over four years of teaching experience including a middle school environment and library instruction at

two universities. As an Assistant Professor at Georgia University (GU) I spend much of my time teaching,

planning, and assessing my sections of a for-credit information literacy course. In teaching this class, I

have gained a greater awareness of pedagogy and the practice of teaching information literacy, as well as

the constellation of knowledge and abilities that make an information literate student. I have also been

fortunate to be part of a highly collaborative department where we are currently working on incorporating

the new Framework for Information Literacy into our course learning outcomes. Last summer I attended

ACRL’s Immersion Teacher Track, which built upon the foundation laid by my previous experiences and

education and has made me a more effective and thoughtful teacher, in addition to extending my network

of instruction librarians. I will bring these knowledge assets to my work when collaborating with the

instruction and learning community and when interacting with faculty and students.

As a teacher with experience both in secondary and higher education, I have a special interest in freshmen.

I’ve seen the environment these students are coming from and I have taught students at all levels of the

undergraduate experience. Because of this, I have come to firmly believe that students need to be exposed

to information literacy topics in their first year of college or they develop habits and mindsets that are later

difficult to alter. At GU, I have had the opportunity to work with freshmen in my class and through my

work with the “Ignite” program for academically at-risk first-year students. One of my fondest memories

of instruction is teaching summer orientation sessions - the excitement those students feel to get started

with college is infectious, and is ripe to be channeled into something productive - like becoming more

information literate. Capitalizing on the relatively open attitudes of incoming freshmen is so important

and I would be excited to foster information literacy at your university.

In addition to my instruction work, I am responsible for co-coordinating our reference services and I

approach this management role with a service-minded mentality. Previously, library users had to schedule

appointments and wait to get reference help so our first act as reference coordinators was to transition our

faculty librarians back to on-desk reference shifts. We also worked with the Access Services Department to

revive the library’s Public Services Committee, which has allowed collaboration across departments and

resulted in better service for our users.

Additionally, we developed a new training program for our student workers where we leverage veteran

student knowledge by mentoring peer trainers and giving them opportunities to take on leadership roles.

Supervising students has given me even greater insight into the undergraduate development experience.

Though teaching and co-managing reference are the most important aspects of my current job, I also have

experience as a Liaison. At GU, I work with two other librarians to provide library services to the College

of Education and I am the sole liaison to the Department of Criminology. I am an outgoing person who

understands the importance of outreach so I have worked to establish relationships with faculty from

other departments, and would be excited to do the same as the Librarian for First-Year Programs at Major

Research University.

Major Research University Libraries will always feel like home to me; the experience I gained and

relationships I forged working at the Johnson Library shape my professional life. I would be proud to

become a part of and this world-class library system, and to work with a team that I know to be innovative

and user-focused, values that I internalized at MRU and have championed ever since. I hope to hear from

you soon.

Best,

Teaching Librarian Extraordinaire