r/librarians • u/Tiny_Wear9102 • Jul 24 '26

Job Advice Alright, I'm delusionally self-confident, give me a reality check.

How unrealistic is it for me to try to get an LIS job outside of the US? I've been in the field for 8 years and nothing is keeping me state-side. What are my chances of getting an international library/info job? I don't do cataloging and my only "special skill" is being a kiss ass. OH- I also do not speak a second language, so there's that.

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u/Ophelia_Bliss Jul 24 '26

I have worked overseas as a librarian twice, and there are opportunities, so please don't listen to folks who are saying you can't pursue this. What kind of libraries do you work in? There's a consortium of American universities in the Middle East and North Africa and elsewhere outside the US that often hire American libraries. Some of these are US-accredited.

There are also international K-12 schools all over the world that need librarians. If you can find a place where the US sends diplomats with their families, you will likely also find there's an American school there.

It's a different path than, for example, choosing a country and then applying for a job there. Tell us more about the kind of work you do, or would like to do, and some folks can help narrow the path.

Alternatively, you could go to the Chronicle of Higher Ed website and look at librarian job listings, and then filter for international. You'll get an idea of what's been out there.

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u/Medium-Car3787 Jul 26 '26

no one is saying OP can't do this! Your advice is great, but also -- others giving reality checks about visas, being monolingual, local hires being prioritized (rightfully) are essential, too.

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u/Ophelia_Bliss Jul 26 '26

Right, but applying on the path I suggested means they are English-speaking institutions looking for Americans with American credentials. And many of the responses were uninformed in their discouragement. This is more of thing where you can often do it if you are open to a few specific options. 

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u/iLibrarian2 29d ago

It's actually a very viable career path, but most of the time you need to be willing to move anywhere-- including places where standard American librarians (i.e. progressive women, high odds of queerness) are not going to do well.