What does a library associate do?
Library associates are professionals who perform a variety of library tasks to assist librarians and library patrons in a library setting. These associates are required to provide circulation and administrative assistance to their librarians while answering questions and issuing library cards to their patrons. They must maintain various databases as well as help organize special events and outreach programs for the community. Library associates must also track down overdue books or materials and send out overdue notices by using the library's electronic circulation system.
Library associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real library associate resumes:
- Collect data, compile bibliographies, manage current contents and perform copy cataloging functions.
- Participate in TLA focus group that evaluate OCLC's WebJunction portal for public access usage.
- Assist guest of the facility in proficient and timely manner and troubleshoot guest with computer problems during their visit.
- Acquire research materials for faculty and graduate students from other institutions via OCLC -ILL subsystem and various mail format request systems.
- Recruit & supervise teen and adult community volunteers.
- Perform original and copy cataloging of materials acquire by the library.
- Collect data, compile bibliographies, manage current contents and perform copy cataloging functions.
- Organize and alphabetize returns on books, DVDS, CDS and magazines to be put back on the shelves.
- Develop popular Japanese animate film/book club for teens.
- Used the ILS system to check out and return items for patrons.
- Perform full range of circulation functions from routine to more complex task using (ILS).
- Return DVDs to shelves and maintain proper alphabetical organization.
- Assess and discard non-fiction collections as assigned.
Library associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Library Associates are proficient in Library Materials, Library Services, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Library Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Materials, 12%
Demonstrated computer literacy and overall knowledge of library resources by logging, cataloging and checking in and out various library materials.
- Library Services, 8%
Assisted the implementation, coordination, and delivery of library services support and provided related front-line customer service to library patrons.
- Customer Service, 7%
Performed standard principles and practices of Public Library Customer Service and circulation duties using Millennium and Sierra Circulation Systems.
- Library Resources, 5%
Helped patrons find and use library resources such as reference materials, audiovisual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources.
- Interlibrary Loan, 4%
Developed and initiated adult programming, answered reference questions and managed interlibrary loan in addition to working the circulation desk.
- Library Patrons, 4%
Assisted an average of 30 library patrons daily in researching information and answering reference questions by interpreting and analyzing information requests.
"library materials," "library services," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that library associates use at work. You can find even more library associate responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a library associate to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources." Library associates often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "promoted to salary professional position with highly-refined customer service and communication skills. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform library associate duties is detail oriented. Library associates responsibilities require that "library technicians and assistants must pay close attention to ensure that library materials and information are organized correctly and according to the library’s organizational system." Library associates also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "oriented library customers on services, policies, and procedures of the library system. "
Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for library associates to perform their duties. For an example of how library associate responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "library technicians and assistants need to work with library patrons, librarians, teachers, or researchers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a library associate: "utilized organizational and interpersonal communication skills to provide reference assistance to library patrons. ".
The three companies that hire the most library associates are:
- Daniel Boone Regional Library
4 library associates jobs
- City of Rapid City3 library associates jobs
- Library Systems & Services2 library associates jobs
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Compare different library associates
Library associate vs. Shelver
An acquisitions assistant helps the acquisition team in performing different administrative tasks. They conduct detailed research to plan and keep the acquisition process running smoothly. Besides categorizing and storing goods and materials and placing orders to the vendor, acquisitions assistants also prepare and keep payments and purchase records and receipts for reference. They receive the requested orders, evaluate the goods and other items, and return all damaged materials to the vendors. Moreover, these professionals maintain magazine records, book records, and other journal records in the library.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, library associate responsibilities require skills like "library services," "interlibrary loan," "reference services," and "community outreach." Meanwhile a typical shelver has skills in areas such as "shelve books," "book drop," "cds," and "book carts." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, shelvers reach lower levels of education than library associates. Shelvers are 8.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Library associate vs. Page
Each career also uses different skills, according to real library associate resumes. While library associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "interlibrary loan," "reference services," and "community outreach," pages use skills like "library shelves," "decimal system," "shelve books," and "legislative session."
On average, pages earn a lower salary than library associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, pages earn the most pay in the media industry with an average salary of $27,082. Whereas library associates have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $34,370.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Pages tend to reach lower levels of education than library associates. In fact, they're 8.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for library associates in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace
Research and Student Success Librarian, Marshall University
Library associate vs. Circulation clerk
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a library associate is likely to be skilled in "reference services," "community outreach," "collection development," and "collection maintenance," while a typical circulation clerk is skilled in "patron accounts," "issue library cards," "computer system," and "customer accounts."
Most circulation clerks achieve a lower degree level compared to library associates. For example, they're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Library associate vs. Acquisitions assistant
Even though a few skill sets overlap between library associates and acquisitions assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a library associate might have more use for skills like "library services," "customer service," "library resources," and "interlibrary loan." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of acquisitions assistants require skills like "hr," "data entry," "background checks," and "interview process. "
In general, acquisitions assistants hold similar degree levels compared to library associates. Acquisitions assistants are 4.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of library associate
Updated January 8, 2025
