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Library associate 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 associate skills. We ranked the top skills for library associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.1% of library associate resumes contained library materials as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a library associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 library associate skills for your resume and career

1. Library Materials

Here's how library associates use library materials:
  • Demonstrated computer literacy and overall knowledge of library resources by logging, cataloging and checking in and out various library materials.
  • Edited records in bibliographic database, screening new library materials and other duties related to collection development and management.

2. 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 associates use library services:
  • Assisted the implementation, coordination, and delivery of library services support and provided related front-line customer service to library patrons.
  • Design posters that highlight and build awareness of under-utilized library services and selections.

3. 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 associates use customer service:
  • Performed standard principles and practices of Public Library Customer Service and circulation duties using Millennium and Sierra Circulation Systems.
  • Provide exceptional customer service and demonstrate sound capacity to utilize library catalog as well as electronic resources.

4. Library Resources

Here's how library associates use library resources:
  • Helped patrons find and use library resources such as reference materials, audiovisual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources.
  • Assist a diverse population of patrons with research needs utilizing the library resources, computer database and/or Internet.

5. Interlibrary Loan

Here's how library associates use interlibrary loan:
  • Developed and initiated adult programming, answered reference questions and managed interlibrary loan in addition to working the circulation desk.
  • Coordinate with other libraries locally and regionally for Interlibrary Loans.

6. Library Patrons

Here's how library associates use library patrons:
  • Assisted an average of 30 library patrons daily in researching information and answering reference questions by interpreting and analyzing information requests.
  • Worked with Horizon Integrated Library System to provide circulation services to library patrons.

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7. Library System

Here's how library associates use library system:
  • Processed inter-library loan request utilizing Iliad and SIRSI integrated library systems.
  • Performed tasks in the SIRSI Unicorn integrated library system such as creating bibliographic and serial control records and performing copy cataloging.

8. 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 associates use circulation desk:
  • Worked in reference section and managed general circulation desk.
  • Maintained automated circulation system and the circulation desk.

9. 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 library associates use reference services:
  • Perform professional library activities such as reference services, collection maintenance, developing and conducting programs, routine cataloging.
  • Provided reference services and research assistance.

10. Community Outreach

Here's how library associates use community outreach:
  • Participate in community outreach with local businesses and residents.
  • Reference duties, some Circulation duties, weekly Story Times for children, community outreach

11. 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 library associates use collection development:
  • Contribute to collection development and document delivery activities & services.
  • Assisted in collection development activities.

12. Library Programs

Here's how library associates use library programs:
  • Managed teams responsible for government documents received via the Federal Depository Library Program.
  • Utilize social media for library programs and community engagement.

13. Dewey Decimal System

Here's how library associates use dewey decimal system:
  • Transferred the church library from alphabetical system to Dewey Decimal system, using standard library software
  • Followed Dewey Decimal System shelving guidelines and ensured books were in proper location

14. Collection Maintenance

Here's how library associates use collection maintenance:
  • Support librarians on collection maintenance through weeding, shelving, and verifying inventory
  • Assisted in overseeing collection maintenance (shelving, processing, weeding, materials circulation, shifting, and microforms filing/processing).

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 library associates use electronic resources:
  • Assist children and caregivers in obtaining materials and information from a variety of print and electronic resources.
  • Educate customers on database research tools and provide instruction on downloading electronic resources to mobile devices.
top-skills

What skills help Library Associates find jobs?

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

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

Kacy LovelaceKacy Lovelace LinkedIn profile

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 associates need?

Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

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.

List of library associate skills to add to your resume

Library associate skills

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

  • Library Materials
  • Library Services
  • Customer Service
  • Library Resources
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Library Patrons
  • Library System
  • Circulation Desk
  • Reference Services
  • Community Outreach
  • Collection Development
  • Library Programs
  • Dewey Decimal System
  • Collection Maintenance
  • Electronic Resources
  • Word Processing
  • Library Equipment
  • Library Cards
  • Public Library
  • Computer Software
  • Statistical Reports
  • Library Policies
  • OCLC
  • Library Collection
  • Library Catalog
  • Reference Desk
  • University Libraries
  • Cataloging
  • Research Assistance
  • Teen
  • Bulletin Boards
  • Advisory Services
  • Library Operations
  • Circulation System
  • Front Desk
  • Reference Materials
  • Reference Assistance
  • Book Displays
  • Fiction
  • Library Functions
  • DVDs
  • Library Database
  • Fine Arts
  • Community Organizations
  • Computer Usage
  • Student Assistants
  • Circulation Services
  • Troubleshoot
  • Community Events

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.

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