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Library assistant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Kacy Lovelace,

Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical library assistant skills. We ranked the top skills for library assistants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.5% of library assistant resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a library assistant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 library assistant skills for your resume and career

1. 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 library assistants use customer service:

Managed Federal Work studies to carry out required administrative task through direct supervision to ensure high customer service satisfaction.
Provided friendly and informative customer service by addressing patrons needs and completing transactions in a fast and efficient manner

2. Library Materials

Here's how library assistants use library materials:

Retrieved, researched, and circulated library materials to patrons -Scanned and electronically categorized journal articles; arranged and maintained collection shelves
Assisted patrons with reference questions, locating materials, accessing information from library databases, shelved library materials.

3. 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 library assistants use circulation desk:

Managed circulation desk which entailed the processing of incoming mail, check out/in reading material and equipment and facilitated student orientations.
Worked circulation desk assisting patrons with borrowing material, managed library materials, assisted with library projects.

4. Library Patrons

Here's how library assistants use library patrons:

Shelved and organized books and other media * Provided assistance and directions to library patrons * Maintained library appearance and cleanliness
Organized reading material by placing reserved items in designated area for library patrons to claim and removed outdated items.

5. 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 library assistants use library services:

Provided library services including issuing library cards, answering reference questions, checking in/out and sorting library resources through specialized software.
Provide and perform a variety of clerical and customer/client service responsibilities associated with the delivery and operation of library services.

6. Library Resources

Here's how library assistants use library resources:

Planned multiple community outreach events that included students and members of community to increase awareness of library resources and services.
Assisted patrons by answering questions, locating documents, and printing/scanning documents in order to maximize library resources efficiently.

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7. Front Desk

Here's how library assistants use front desk:

Front desk customer service* Organizing reading material* Computer work* Database specialist* File keeping* Microfilm machine operator
Job Description Front Desk Assistant Library maintenance

8. Interlibrary Loan

Here's how library assistants use interlibrary loan:

Develop and successfully execute annual departmental goals for InterLibrary Loan.
Assisted in the InterLibrary Loan Department and paged books.

9. Library Cards

Here's how library assistants use library cards:

Emphasized organization skills by filing magazines.-Showed creativity and initiation of new ideas in creating new library cards.
Collect and process information for library cards using Microsoft database.

10. Library System

Here's how library assistants use library system:

Trained new library employees on circulation tasks, the DynixAutomated Library System and general library procedures.
Managed circulation data base Assisted patrons with research Ordered materials through inter-library system Processed new library materials

11. Library Equipment

Here's how library assistants use library equipment:

Provided technical assistance with library equipment including fax machine and copier.
Assist patron with mechanical operations of library equipment.

12. Computer Software

Here's how library assistants use computer software:

Operate computer terminal and auxiliary equipment in routine duties; update new information using computer software.
Enter and update new student records on computers while processing new materials including books, audiovisual materials, and computer software.

13. Library Policies

Here's how library assistants use library policies:

Maintained accuracy of customer account records by updating and maintaining the customer database in accordance with library policies.
Communicated and familiarized patrons with library policies and procedures; assisted with circulation services.

14. Word Processing

Here's how library assistants use word processing:

Required extensive use of several word processing and database programs across different platforms.
Prepared finding aids using word processing and database management software.

15. Computer System

Here's how library assistants use computer system:

Input of patrons demographics and set up account in computer systems and updated necessary changes when patrons library identification card expired.
Provided computer assistance to patrons utilizing library's computer system for searching of book collections.

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What skills help Library Assistants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What library assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kacy Lovelace

Research and Student Success Librarian, Marshall University

Consider skills that directly apply to the job that you want in the future. Get creative with this! Improve your communication skills, cross-cultural understanding by working abroad. The hospitality industry offers many opportunities for improving these valuable skills while also teaching listening skills, time management skills, and collaboration skills. If working abroad is not an option, take a language immersion course (online or in-person) and increase your ability to communicate with patrons and colleagues and your attractiveness to potential employers.

What type of skills will young library assistants need?

Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.

Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, University of Central Missouri

Our graduates need to be completely digital literate when they enter the workforce. Librarians are technology leaders and should be ready to assist and train their patrons on all types of technology for people of all technical skill levels.

Do you want to know more?

List of library assistant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a library assistant resume and required skills for a library assistant to have include:

Customer Service
Library Materials
Circulation Desk
Library Patrons
Library Services
Library Resources
Front Desk
Interlibrary Loan
Library Cards
Library System
Library Equipment
Computer Software
Library Policies
Word Processing
Computer System
Office Equipment
DVDs

PowerPoint
Dewey Decimal System
Library Books
Library Collection
Troubleshoot
Library Programs
Shelve Books
Reference Materials
Library Operations
Collection Development
Check Books
Computer Lab
Library Catalog
Reference Services
OCLC
Public Library
AV

Professional Assistance
Computer Programs
Library Database
Electronic Resources
Student Assistants
Overdue Notices
Routine Inquiries
Overdue Materials
Research Projects
Circulation System
Audiovisual Materials
Book Displays
Technical Assistance
Reference Desk
Millennium
Research Materials

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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