ABSTRACT Authorities in China have been actively involved in the high-quality development of libraries, with an emphasis on supporting and extending National Reading. Providing appropriate and successful reading services requires well-prepared reading service librarians, empowered to design and deliver services that make reading enjoyable and accessible for all. Based on competency theory and empowerment theory, this study analyses the competency features of empowered reading service librarians and constructs a competency model based on those features. Through literature analysis and Behavioural Event Interview, a preliminary competency model comprising 16 discriminative competencies and 20 benchmark competencies was constructed, subsequently refined through 4 rounds of expert consultation using the Delphi method and resulting in a model with 11 discriminative competency features and 6 benchmark competency features. A questionnaire survey of reading service librarians and library users was undertaken to extract common factors and develop an iceberg model. The iceberg model comprises 4 dimensions: knowledge, skills, self-concept, and motivation, with 11 discriminative competency traits and 6 benchmark competency traits. The model extends our understanding of the important competencies underpinning the work of reading service librarians and can support developments in their professional education, performance evaluation, recruitment, and selection.