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Assistant librarian skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical assistant librarian skills. We ranked the top skills for assistant librarians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.4% of assistant librarian resumes contained library materials as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an assistant librarian needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 assistant librarian skills for your resume and career

1. Library Materials

Here's how assistant librarians use library materials:
  • Maintained an updated inventory of library materials and audio-visual equipment such as print and non-print materials.
  • Reported to Library Supervisor with responsibility to provide library material and information services to patrons.

2. Reference Services

A reference service іѕ an іntеgrаl раrt of any lіbrаrу, the аіm of whісh іѕ tо educate users on hоw tо uѕе reference mаtеrіаlѕ to hеlр thеm gеt factual іnfоrmаtіоn іn the best роѕѕіblе way аnd аt the right tіmе. Thе rеfеrrаl ѕеrvісе hаndlеѕ rеԛuеѕtѕ аnd аѕѕіѕtѕ uѕеrѕ fіnd, ассеѕѕ, аnd uѕе thе rеԛuіrеd information to mееt thеіr nееdѕ.

Here's how assistant librarians use reference services:
  • Assisted the dedicated English librarian in selection, ordering, cataloging of collection and provided general humanities reference services.
  • Conduct database searching and perform comprehensive reference services emphasized by a strong patron-centered orientation.

3. Library Services

Library Services are those resources, products, and events provided and held by a library or a similar entity to an individual. Users of the library may make use of these tools, which often differ from one institution to the next but amongst which may be things like online information and phone services, literary and other classes, book clubs, referencing services, and a number of other things.

Here's how assistant librarians use library services:
  • Assisted students with library services including computer support services and library organization.
  • Demonstrated excellent customer service and knowledge of library services.

4. Circulation Desk

A circulation desk refers to a place in the library where one can check-in, borrow materials, pay fines, collect inquiries, and many more during library hours. It is usually located near the main entrance of each library.

Here's how assistant librarians use circulation desk:
  • Supervised library workers while operating circulation desk and assisting patrons with book selections.
  • Managed circulation desk operations by assisting library patrons with checkout.

5. Collection Development

Collection development is the systematic and economical creation and evaluation of a library's inventory to meet the information needs of library users in a timely and cost-effective manner, using local information resources as well as resources from other organizations. Its purpose is to aid the mission of the library and involves both selecting and deselecting library resources. The library collection also includes general information resources to assist in a learning environment in subjects not covered in the classroom.

Here's how assistant librarians use collection development:
  • Participated in collection development, collection maintenance, patron account management, collection displays and other marketing projects
  • Collaborated with Head Librarian in collection development activities for students and faculty.

6. Library Resources

Here's how assistant librarians use library resources:
  • Developed and maintained a cataloging system for staff use that provided optimal organization of library resources.
  • Managed social media for business library to promote library resources and engage community.

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7. Research Assistance

Research assistance means helping in private/academic research.

Here's how assistant librarians use research assistance:
  • Guided students with research assistancefor assigned projects; located and checked out books.
  • Provided information services and research assistance to patrons.

8. Interlibrary Loan

Here's how assistant librarians use interlibrary loan:
  • Managed budgets, and coordinated interlibrary loan program.
  • Provided assistance in interlibrary loan.

9. Library Patrons

Here's how assistant librarians use library patrons:
  • Provided customer assistance, information to library patrons regarding all general & reference materials.
  • Assisted library patrons in locating literary material in the University of Kansas Library system.

10. Library System

Here's how assistant librarians use library system:
  • Administered the library's integrated library system by performing upgrades and troubleshooting.
  • Utilize Destiny library system to maintain library patron records.

11. Cataloging

Here's how assistant librarians use cataloging:
  • Performed regular cataloging of new acquisitions, maintaining accurate data building for microfilm, microfiche, periodicals, and academic collections.
  • Performed elementary descriptive cataloging using automated bibliographic database* Provide customer service* Resolve routine problems in tech* Assist in acquisitions and processing

12. Front Desk

Here's how assistant librarians use front desk:
  • Provided front desk and customer service; organized and re-shelved materials
  • Assisted patrons at front desk with check out, answered questions and provided directions; shelved returned materials.

13. OCLC

Here's how assistant librarians use oclc:
  • Cataloged new book, reclassified, original updates using OCLC.
  • Conducted searches in OCLC Passport, Science Citation Index, First Search, and Webspirs, among others.

14. Library Operations

Here's how assistant librarians use library operations:
  • Performed circulation, technical processing/acquisitions, and daily library operations.
  • Support library operations through answering telephone calls and patron inquiries.

15. Electronic Resources

The term ‘electronic resources' refers to reading or visual materials stored in digital format, and they only get accessed electronically. Examples include e-books, e-journals and online databases.

Here's how assistant librarians use electronic resources:
  • Collated electronic resources with corresponding analog records to create a more efficient, streamlined catalog.
  • Compiled lists of books, periodicals, articles, audiovisual materials, and electronic resources on particular subjects and analyzed collections.
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Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MADr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Library Science (LIS), University of Central Missouri

Librarians have a core set of values that will stand the test of time, but it is also helpful to have new skills related to social media marketing, change management, digital literacy and the mental habits for learning to adapt with an evolving digital information landscape. Collaboration (within the library and outside of the library) is also an important skill for librarians to have.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about assistant librarian

List of assistant librarian skills to add to your resume

Assistant librarian skills

The most important skills for an assistant librarian resume and required skills for an assistant librarian to have include:

  • Library Materials
  • Reference Services
  • Library Services
  • Circulation Desk
  • Collection Development
  • Library Resources
  • Research Assistance
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Library Patrons
  • Library System
  • Cataloging
  • Front Desk
  • OCLC
  • Library Operations
  • Electronic Resources
  • Inter-Library Loans
  • Computer System
  • Library Cards
  • PowerPoint
  • Reference Desk
  • Reference Materials
  • Research Projects
  • University Libraries
  • Computer Software
  • Circulation Services
  • Dewey Decimal System
  • Library Website
  • Library Policies
  • Legal Research
  • Library Equipment
  • Library Collection
  • Research Materials
  • Library Books
  • Library Programs
  • Computer Programs
  • Shelve Books
  • Troubleshoot
  • Audiovisual Materials
  • Rare Books
  • Word Processing
  • DVDs
  • Computer Lab
  • Library Database
  • Professional Assistance
  • AV
  • Overdue Materials
  • Teen
  • Routine Inquiries
  • Public Library

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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