Sample cover letter for library assistant position with no experience

You need a library assistant cover letter that gets you noticed like J.K. Rowling. Without it, the HR director will skip you and move on to the 90+ other cover letters on her desk. How can you prove you’ve got a sixth sense for knowing “that book—you know, the red one that’s this thick and 1990-ish?”

Bad news—you can’t do it by saying you’re a “hard-working and efficient” library assistant with “very strong computer skills.” That’s as compelling as shampoo instructions. To turn heads, you’ve got to know what the library wants and needs before you write a single word.

This guide will show you:

  • A library assistant cover letter better than 9 out of 10 others.
  • How to write a cover letter for library assistants that lands 10x more interviews.
  • Why the right 2–3 moments from your past can get you hired.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

Create your cover letter now

Library Assistant  cover letter example

Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.

Considering a different career? See:

  • Librarian Cover Letter Sample
  • Academic Cover Letter Sample
  • Admissions Counselor Cover Letter Sample
  • Education Cover Letter Sample
  • Cover Letter for College Student
  • Recent Graduate Cover Letter Sample
  • Research Assistant Cover Letter Sample
  • Research Associate Cover Letter Sample
  • Editorial Assistant Cover Letter Sample
  • Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Sample
  • Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Sample
  • Judicial Clerkship Cover Letter Sample
  • Tutor Cover Letter Sample
  • Entry-Level Cover Letter Sample
  • Best Cover Letter Examples for All Professions

This library assistant cover letter template works like Dewey Decimal:

Library Assistant Cover Letter Sample

Your Name

Library Assistant

Mailing Address

Phone Number

Email Address

LinkedIn

Date

HR Director’s Name

Title

Library Name

Mailing Address

Dear [HR Director Name],

I’m writing to apply to the school library assistant position at Wender High School. I’ve toured your library, and I’m impressed with the time and effort you’ve put into creating a useful and comfortable space for your students.

I found the job ad on the school’s website, and I’m particularly excited about the role requirements you list. You need a library assistant skilled in DPLA, teaching students how to use digital tools, and tools like Weava and Bookshare. Here’s how I fit:

  • DPLA. Used DPLA system system daily for 2 years.
  • Digital tools. Trained 250+ students in use of tools like Citlighter and Skybrary.
  • Efficiency. Commended by librarian at MSAD 47 for book return speed.

[HR Director Name], I look forward to talking to you about how my customer service skills and deep patience can help with Wender High’s mission to create a dynamic and supportive learning community.

Best regards,

[Your Name], Library Assistant

[Phone Number]

[Email]

A cover letter for library assistant jobs like that could get you in at the Library of Congress.

The best cover letter in the world will fail without a matching resume. See our guide: Librarian Resume Example

Now, here’s how to write library assistant cover letters that work:

1. Use the Right Library Assistant Cover Letter Template

“Yeah I just filed it where I felt like it.” That’s a librarian’s worst nightmare. Don’t make her see it in your future with a sloppy cover letter layout. Your cover letter font, margins, and line-spacing should tell her you pay attention to detail. Use the trusted 3-paragraph format to show professionalism.

Use this template:

Sample Library Assistant Cover Letter—Checklist

  • your contact info
  • the school or library’s info
  • Dear [HR Director Name],
  • first paragraph: stand out
  • second paragraph: prove key skills the library asked for
  • third paragraph: reference the future
  • best regards, name, title

Make your cover letter heading the same as your resume heading. Why? Because it’s a great way to show HR both documents are part of a set.

Left-align your letter. See our guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide

2. Start Your Library Assistant Cover Letter Right

“We read your cover letter and we said, ‘She’s perfect!’” Can your library assistant cover letter get a reaction like that? It can if you know enough about the job before you write it. Start by getting the HR Director’s attention with her name. Then add a fact that stops her in her tracks.

See these assistant librarian cover letter examples:

Library Assistant Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]

Right Example

Jill Barnes

Library Assistant

3466 Jefferson Street

Chesapeake, VA 23323

757-576-7412

linkedin.com/in/jillzbarnes

3/13/20

Ebony Dearborn

HR Director

Wender High School

1587 Allison Avenue

Chesapeake, VA 23320

Dear Ms. Dearborn,

I’m writing to apply to the school library assistant position at Wender High School. I’ve toured your library, and I’m impressed with the time and effort you’ve put into creating a useful and comfortable space for your students.

That cover letter sample for library assistant jobs works because it’s personal. The heartfelt compliment will get the reader on your side.

But this library assistant cover letter example is on hold:

Wrong Example

Dear Head Librarian,

I’m a skilled library assistant with two years of experience working in school libraries. I’m proficient in social media and have excellent organizational and communication abilities. I’ve handled duties such as returning books to library shelves, assisting students with research, and updating the library’s website.

Nope.

That fails because it’s just a rehash of your resume. We don’t need a skills list here. We need a little passion and humanity.

But—what if you’re writing a library assistant cover letter with no experience?

Library Assistant Cover Letter Sample [Entry-Level]

A cover letter for library assistants with no experience can start with:

  • School achievements
  • Accomplishments from non-library assistant jobs
  • Something you like about the library
  • A referral from someone at the school or library

See these library assistant cover letter examples with no experience:

Right Example
  • A library can open up a child’s world. Working in your library would be...
  • Sharon Cunningham suggested I apply. She says my attention to detail...
  • My shift leader at Pizza Hut called my customer service skills exemplary. As an assistant librarian at Wender High School, my goal would be...
  • My article for the school paper on digital lending was...
  • I love how your library has embraced technology without leaving physical books behind. To me, the smell of books is the most exciting...

Top shelf.

Those cover letter openings beat, “I’m a library assistant...”

Pro Tip: You can save a lot of wasted interview time by putting salary requirements in your cover letter. Use Glassdoor to make sure you don’t bid too low or high.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Pick a resume template here.

Create the perfect resume

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

3. Connect Your Library Assistant Cover Letter to the Job

Let’s keep the momentum rolling. After your engaging first paragraph, restate the library’s top needs for an assistant. Your assistant librarian cover letter has to show you can deliver. How? By researching in the library’s website and their online job listing. Then, target your cover letter.

In your second paragraph, show:

  1. You know their library assistant job duties
  2. You’re qualified to cover them

See these library assistant cover letter examples:

Library Assistant Cover Letter Examples [Middle]

Right Example

I found the job ad on the school’s website, and I’m particularly excited about the role requirements you list. You need a library assistant skilled in DPLA, teaching students how to use digital tools, and tools like Weava and Bookshare. Here’s how I fit:

  • DPLA. Used DPLA system system daily for 2 years.
  • Digital tools. Trained 250+ students in use of tools like Citlighter and Skybrary.
  • Efficiency. Commended by librarian at MSAD 47 for book return speed.

Get ready for the interview.

But—

The next of our library assistant cover letter examples is misfiled:

Wrong Example

I’m highly skilled in all the latest digital lending technology. I’m adept at handling grade school and middle school student needs. I also specialize in assisting with research by utilizing digital catalog systems and updating students on all new library policies and procedures.

Look at that.

An all-purpose, no-frills library assistant. You’d be as good as any with that cover letter—except for the outstanding applicant from example #1. Without specifics, you could be anyone, including Ron Swanson. What does “all the latest technology” even mean? It’s vague.

Keep your letter readable. See our guide: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide

4. End Your Library Assistant Cover Letter Strong

You’re almost there! Don’t phone in the cover letter ending. To lock in the interview, come out and ask for it. But don’t just say, “Please interview me.” Give a reason for the HR Director to interview you. Finish with a confident and competent appeal.

See these examples:

Cover Letter Examples for Library Assistant [Ending]

Right Example

Ms. Dearborn, I look forward to talking to you about how my customer service skills and deep patience can help with Wender High’s mission to create a dynamic and supportive learning community.

Best regards,

Jill Barnes

Library Assistant

757-576-7412

Expert.

You teased a few more valuable library assistant skills. You also showed you know their mission statement. Hint—it’s in the “About” section of their website.

But the next of our library assistant cover letter samples is out on loan:

Wrong Example

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Pro Tip: Do you need a cover letter for library assistant jobs? Yes, because the HR Director doesn’t know who you are or why you want the job. You have to show her.

Key Takeaway

Here’s how to write a library assistant cover letter:

  • Use the right library assistant cover letter format. Add your New-York-Public Library-ready achievements.
  • Start your cover letter with the director’s name and a key fact.
  • Write a second paragraph with proof you’ve handled the job’s requirements before.
  • To end your cover letter, remind them of your skills and enthusiasm.

Not sure how to start your library assistant job cover letter? Want to write a cover letter for library assistant positions that makes the phone ring? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

How do you write a cover letter if you have no experience in that field?

How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience.
List your contact information..
Include the hiring manager's contact details..
Address the hiring manager by name..
Write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph..
Explain why you're the best fit for the role..
Describe your relevant skills..
Mention your top achievements..

How do I write a cover letter for a library assistant?

As a library assistant, I have a solid understanding of the daily operations of a library. My extensive experience working in various sizes of libraries combined with my friendly attitude and exceptional customer service skills make me a perfect candidate for the library assistant job at Johnson Public Library.

Do I need a cover letter if I have no experience?

This is likely the case if it's time to make a career switch, especially one that you didn't prepare for. Just like before, writing a cover letter might seem impossible, but it's actually the key to showing a hiring manager that you've got what it takes – even without hard experience on your resume.

What are the qualities of a good library assistant?

Skills.
Ability to communicate clearly with patrons, co-workers and supervisors..
Ability to follow library policies and procedures, especially as relate to issuing library cards, checking out items, collecting fines and fees, and processing new materials..
Ability to count change and handle money..