Library Technician or Assistant
Library Technician or Assistant
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What Library Technicians and Assistants Do
Library technicians and assistants help librarians with all aspects of running a library. They assist patrons, organize library materials and information, and do clerical and administrative tasks.
Duties
Library technicians and assistants typically do the following:
- Loan library materials to patrons and collect returned materials
- Sort and reshelve returned books, periodicals, and other materials
- Catalogue and maintain library materials
- Handle interlibrary loans
- Register new patrons and issue library cards
- Answer routine reference questions from patrons
- Teach patrons how to use library resources
- Maintain computer databases used to locate library materials
- Perform routine clerical tasks such as answering phones and organizing files
- Help plan and participate in special programs, such as used-book sales, story times, or outreach programs
A librarian usually supervises library technicians and assistants. Both technicians and assistants help patrons find information and organize library materials. However, library technicians typically have more responsibilities than library assistants.
Library technicians and assistants in small libraries have a broad range of duties. In large libraries, they tend to specialize in a particular area, such as user services or technical services. Those specializing in user services assist library patrons with locating resources and information. Those specializing in technical services research, acquire, catalog, and process materials to be added to the library’s collections.
The following are examples of types of library technicians and assistants:
Academic library technicians and assistants help students, faculties, and staff in colleges and universities access resources and information related to coursework or research projects. Some teach students how to access and use library resources. They may work at service desks for reserve materials, special collections, or computer labs.
Public library technicians and assistants work in community libraries to serve members of the public. They help patrons find books to read for pleasure, assist patrons with their research, or teach patrons how to access the library’s resources. Some technicians in public libraries may help plan programs for users, such as story time for children or book clubs for teens or adults.
School library technicians and assistants show students how to find and use library resources, maintain textbook collections, and help teachers develop curriculum materials.
Special library technicians and assistants work in settings other than school or public libraries, including government agencies, corporations, museums, law firms, and medical centers. They assist users, search library resources, compile bibliographies, and provide information on subjects of interest to the organization.
Work Environment
Library assistants, clerical held about 82,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of library assistants, clerical were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 63% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 11 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 11 |
Library technicians held about 78,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of library technicians were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 53% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 17 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 16 |
| Junior colleges; state, local, and private | 3 |
Library technicians and assistants generally work indoors. They spend much of their time at public service desks or at computer terminals. They may spend time in the library stacks reshelving books, a task that may require bending or stretching to reach the shelves.
Work Schedules
Many library technicians and assistants work part time. Library technicians and assistants in school libraries work during school hours. Those in public or college libraries may work weekends, evenings, and some holidays. In special libraries, technicians and assistants typically work during normal business hours but may have to work evenings and weekends.
Getting Started
How to Become a Library Technician or Assistant
Library technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate. Library assistants typically need a high school diploma or its equivalent, combined with short-term on-the-job training.
Education
Library technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate in library technology, which may include coursework in acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, reference, and automated library systems. The American Library Association has information about certificate programs available by state.
Most library assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Training
Library assistants usually receive short-term on-the-job training to learn about libraries and library resources.
Advancement
Library technicians and assistants may advance to become supervisors and oversee daily library operations. To become a librarian, technicians and assistants need to earn a master’s degree in library science.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of library technicians and assistants is projected to decline 6 percent from 2022 to 2032.
Despite declining employment, about 25,700 openings for library technicians and assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Library use has decreased despite community efforts to rebrand libraries for a variety of services and activities. This decrease in use reduces the need for library workers to help patrons find information and to operate libraries. Additionally, budget constraints may limit the number of library technicians and assistants in local government and education services.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about library technicians and assistants careers, visit
For information about medical libraries, visit
For information about law libraries, visit
American Association of Law Libraries
For information about many different types of special libraries, visit
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Library assistants, clerical (PDF)
Library technicians (PDF)
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of library technicians and assistants.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Librarians and Library Media Specialists |
Librarians and library media specialists help people find information and conduct research for personal and professional use. |
Master's degree | $61,660 |
|
Medical Records Specialists |
Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $47,180 |
|
Receptionists |
Receptionists do tasks such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing information about their organization to the public. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $33,960 |
|
Teacher Assistants |
Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction. |
Some college, no degree | $30,920 |