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How to Start a Cover Letter [+ Introduction & Opening Lines]
Writer’s block got you staring at your blank screen? It’s not as hard as you think to start a cover letter that will blow the hiring manager away—this guide shows you how.
Patience is your best friend and boredom is your enemy. Show the librarian you’re a saint with computer and people skills. Do it with a standout library assistant cover letter.
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:
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.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here.
Considering a different career? See:
This library assistant cover letter template works like Dewey Decimal:
Your Name
Library Assistant
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
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:
[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:
“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:
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
“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:
Right Example |
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Jill Barnes Library Assistant 3466 Jefferson Street Chesapeake, VA 23323 jillzbarnes@gmail.com 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 |
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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?
A cover letter for library assistants with no experience can start with:
See these library assistant cover letter examples with no experience:
Right Example |
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|
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.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
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:
See these library assistant cover letter examples:
Right Example |
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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:
|
Get ready for the interview.
But—
The next of our library assistant cover letter examples is misfiled:
Wrong Example |
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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
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:
Right Example |
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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 jillzbarnes@gmail.com 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 |
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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.
Here’s how to write a library assistant cover letter:
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!
Writer’s block got you staring at your blank screen? It’s not as hard as you think to start a cover letter that will blow the hiring manager away—this guide shows you how.
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