Library Assistants, Clerical
SOC: 43-4121.00

Description:

Compile records, sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
108,800 employed

Projected (2024):
114,700 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:

  • Access Services Assistant
  • Acquisitions Assistant
  • Administrative Library Assistant
  • Assistant Librarian
  • Bibliographic Services Specialist
  • Book Sorter
  • Bookmobile Driver
  • Braille and Talking Books Clerk
  • Catalog Library Assistant
  • Cataloging Assistant
  • Circulation Assistant
  • Circulation Clerk
  • Circulation Librarian
  • Circulation Manager
  • Circulation Representative
  • Circulation Supervisor
  • Clerk
  • Film Library Clerk
  • Film or Tape Librarian
  • Interlibrary Loan Specialist
  • Librarian
  • Librarian Assistant
  • Library Aide
  • Library Assistant
  • Library Associate
  • Library Circulation Assistant
  • Library Circulation Clerk
  • Library Clerical Assistant
  • Library Clerk
  • Library Customer Service Clerk
  • Library Media Assistant
  • Library Page
  • Library Paraprofessional
  • Library Serials Assistant
  • Library Services Assistant
  • Library Specialist
  • Library Technical Assistant
  • Library Technician
  • Media Assistant
  • Media Clerk
  • Medical Library Assistant
  • Microfilm Clerk
  • Music Library Assistant
  • Page
  • Periodicals Clerk
  • Periodicals Library Assistant
  • Public Services Assistant
  • Reference Assistant
  • Reference Library Assistant
  • Registration Clerk
  • Talking Books Library Clerk
  • Technical Assistant
  • Technical Services Assistant

    • Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

    Experience:

    Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

    Education:

    These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

    Job Training:

    Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

    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
  • Technology Design
  • Programming
  • Operation Monitoring
  • 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
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Geography
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Foreign Language
  • Fine Arts
  • History and Archeology
  • Philosophy and Theology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Communications and Media
  • Transportation

    • Tasks:

  • Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
  • Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software.
  • Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
  • Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
  • Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.
  • Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines.
  • Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
  • Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used.
  • Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials.
  • Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons.
  • Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.
  • Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials.
  • Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books.
  • Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors.
  • Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers.
  • Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.
  • Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers.
  • Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests.
  • Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts.
  • Place books in mailing containers, affix address labels, and secure containers with straps for mailing to blind library patrons.
  • Assist in the preparation of book displays.
  • Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual (AV) equipment.
  • Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.
  • Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees.
  • Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment.
  • Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-dated items.
  • Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.
  • Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash.
  • Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair.
  • Acquire books, pamphlets, periodicals, audio-visual materials, and other library supplies by checking prices, figuring costs, and preparing appropriate order forms and facilitating the ordering process by providing such information to others.
  • Prepare library statistics reports.
  • Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues.

    • Tools & Technology:

  • 10-key calculators
  • Barcode scanners
  • Bookmobiles
  • Braile embossers
  • Cash registers
  • Delivery vans
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Film projectors
  • Handheld calculators
  • Laminating machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Laser printers
  • Magnifiers
  • Mail opening equipment
  • Microfiche printers
  • Microfiche readers
  • Microfilm printers
  • Microfilm readers
  • Multi function printers
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Multimedia projectors
  • Personal readers
  • Photocopying equipment
  • Scanners
  • Thermal book binders
  • Typewriters
  • Video teleconferencing systems
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software
  • Automated circulation systems
  • C++
  • Cataloging software
  • Database software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft Word
  • Online Computer Library Center OCLC
  • Online Computer Library Center OCLC databases
  • Recordkeeping software
  • ResourceMate Plus
  • Video retrieval systems
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software
  • WorldCat

    • office and administrative support

    industry stats

    SOC: 43-0000

    Total Employed: 21,846,420

    Average Annual Salary: $36,330