Library Technicians
SOC: 25-4031.00

Description:

Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
101,800 employed

Projected (2024):
107,100 employed

Projected growth (2014-2024)


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 2014-2024 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Alternate Titles:

  • Accessioner
  • Acquisitions Technician
  • Assistant Librarian
  • Audio-Visual Aide
  • Bibliographer
  • Book Shelver
  • Book Sorter
  • Bookmobile Driver
  • Catalog Librarian
  • Cataloging Library Technical Assistant
  • Cataloging Technician
  • Circulation Technician
  • Classifier
  • Director of Audio Visual Aids
  • Information Services Assistant
  • Interlibrary Loan Assistant (ILL)
  • Learning Resources Assistant
  • Librarian Assistant
  • Librarian Helper
  • Library Acquisitions Technician
  • Library Aide
  • Library Assistant
  • Library Associate
  • Library Cataloging Technician
  • Library Circulation Technician
  • Library Clerk
  • Library Information Technian
  • Library Media Specialist
  • Library Monitor
  • Library Page
  • Library Services Assistant
  • Library Specialist
  • Library Technical Assistant (LTA)
  • Library Technical Assistant, Cataloging (LTA, Cataloging)
  • Library Technical Assistant, Serials/Bindery (LTA, Serials/Bindery)
  • Library Technician
  • Media Center Assistant
  • Media Center Specialist
  • Mobile Library Assistant
  • Page Technician
  • Patron Services Specialist
  • Reference Assistant
  • Serials Assistant
  • Serials or Bindery Library Technical Assistant
  • Stack Attendant
  • Stacker
  • Textbook Associate

    • Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

    Experience:

    A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

    Education:

    Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

    Job Training:

    Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

    Required Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Instructing
  • Service Orientation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operations Analysis
  • Programming
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Time Management
  • Management of Financial Resources
  • Management of Material Resources
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    • Knowledge Used:

  • Administration and Management
  • Clerical
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mathematics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Geography
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Foreign Language
  • Fine Arts
  • History and Archeology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Communications and Media

    • Tasks:

  • Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
  • Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
  • Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
  • Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.
  • Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.
  • Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
  • Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
  • Process interlibrary loans for patrons.
  • Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
  • Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.
  • Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.
  • Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.
  • Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.
  • Issue identification cards to borrowers.
  • Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.
  • Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.
  • Send out notices about lost or overdue books.
  • Design, customize, and maintain databases, web pages, and local area networks.
  • Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders.
  • File catalog cards according to system used.
  • Prepare volumes for binding.
  • Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.
  • Collaborate with archivists to arrange for the safe storage of historical records and documents.
  • Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.
  • Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.
  • Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audio-visual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources and provide technical assistance when needed.
  • Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.
  • Catalogue and sort books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.
  • Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.
  • Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs.
  • Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.
  • Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours.
  • Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.

    • Tools & Technology:

  • Barcode scanners
  • Bookmobiles
  • Cash registers
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital video disk DVD players
  • Film projectors
  • Laptop computers
  • Microfiche readers
  • Microfilm printers
  • Microfilm readers
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Personal computers
  • Photocopying equipment
  • Scanners
  • Video cassette recorders VCR
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Database software
  • Dynix Digital Library
  • Email software
  • Ex Libris Group Aleph
  • Ex Libris Group Voyager
  • FileMaker Pro software
  • HandyFile Find and Replace Text Aid Kit
  • Inmagic TextWorks
  • Innovative Interfaces Millennium
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft Word
  • National Library of Medicine DOCLINE
  • National Library of Medicine Medline
  • Online Computer Library Center OCLC
  • SirsiDynix Symphony
  • Web browser software
  • WebClarity Software BookWhere
  • WorldCat

    • education training and library

    industry stats

    SOC: 25-0000

    Total Employed: 8,542,670

    Average Annual Salary: $53,000