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Circulation librarian skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Kerol Harrod

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical circulation librarian skills. We ranked the top skills for circulation librarians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 31.3% of circulation librarian resumes contained circulation desk as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a circulation librarian needs to be successful in the workplace.

12 circulation librarian skills for your resume and career

1. 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 circulation librarians use circulation desk:

Managed inbound, serials, catalog, reference, circulation desk
Manage circulation desk, check materials in and out.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how circulation librarians use customer service:

Trained in Circulation customer service.
Operate all systems and office equipment in front area, providing customer service to patrons of the library.

3. Library Materials

Here's how circulation librarians use library materials:

Provide professional reference services by assisting patrons in location and use library materials.
Assist patrons in locating library material and using library technology.

4. Student Assistants

Here's how circulation librarians use student assistants:

Trained and supervised student assistants.
Supervised library technicians and student assistants.

5. Reference Desk

Here's how circulation librarians use reference desk:

Work regular shifts at the reference desk and teach library instruction classes.
Created and presented children's programs, summer reading program implementation, circulation/reference desk duties, program materials preparation

6. Library System

Here's how circulation librarians use library system:

Trained and served as resource for Online Library System.
Assisted with implementation of new integrated library system interface including technical support and user training/support for the integrated library system.

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7. Reference Materials

Here's how circulation librarians use reference materials:

Processed new materials, including books, AV materials, computer software, AV equipment, periodicals, and reference materials.
Organize collections of books, publications, documents, audio/visual aids, and other reference materials for convenient access.

8. 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 circulation librarians use collection development:

Participated in assigned collection development responsibilities.
Provided regular collection development recommendations.

9. Computer System

Here's how circulation librarians use computer system:

Checked and organized books, journals, thesis, and multimedia Assisted in research utilizing computer systems
Provide Competitive Intelligence for American Airlines Management on other Airlines and Travel Reservation Computer Systems.

10. Library Programs

Here's how circulation librarians use library programs:

Planned, organized, scheduled, implemented and publicized library programming and exhibits.
Prepared and presented library programs and supervised program presentation by subordinate staff.

11. Library Resources

Here's how circulation librarians use library resources:

Greeted and directed patrons to various library resources.
Performed traditional librarian duties, including checking-in/out of library resources, shelving, and cataloging new library acquisitions.

12. 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 circulation librarians use reference services:

Research consultation and reference services included conducting literature searches, gathering research data, and instruction on bibliographic management tools.
Provided in-person, telephone, and email reference services to library community * Conducted library and computer instruction sessions for patrons

What skills help Circulation Librarians find jobs?

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What circulation librarian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kerol Harrod

Lecturer, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University, Texas Woman's University

Knowing how to navigate AI and the types of issues that arise therefrom (copyright, plagiarism, AI hallucinations, etc.) will become more important as the technology progresses. Generally keeping abreast of new technologies and ways to access information is also key to providing good service to library patrons. Understanding the basics of community librarianship, evidence-based practice, marketing, and community outreach will be crucial to libraries and librarians looking to maintain relevance in an increasingly connected world.

Do you want to know more?

List of circulation librarian skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a circulation librarian resume and required skills for a circulation librarian to have include:

Circulation Desk
Customer Service
Library Materials
Student Assistants

Reference Desk
Library System
Reference Materials
Collection Development

Computer System
Library Programs
Library Resources
Reference Services

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

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Circulation Librarian Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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