What does a library circulation assistant do?
Library circulation assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real library circulation assistant resumes:
- Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
- Check books and CDs in and out; put books and CDs back on shelves
- Develop library collection materials for young adults including award-winning non-fiction and fiction titles.
Library circulation assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Library Circulation Assistants are proficient in Library Materials, Circulation Desk, and Library Circulation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Library Circulation Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Materials, 15%
Interacted with international graduate students and assist them in accessing library resources -Accountable for circulating library materials and shelf maintenance
- Circulation Desk, 12%
Perform Circulation Desk and library opening and closing procedures.
- Library Circulation, 9%
Average Hours Per Week: 20Employed as a general testing library circulation assistant.
- Customer Service, 7%
Delivered quality customer service to patrons by assisting with checkout procedures, managing accounts, and requesting/locating materials.
- Library Equipment, 5%
Check out books, DVDs, CDs and any other library equipment.
- Library Patrons, 5%
Provided basic reference assistance for library patrons.
Common skills that a library circulation assistant uses to do their job include "library materials," "circulation desk," and "library circulation." You can find details on the most important library circulation assistant responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a library circulation assistant to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources." Additionally, a library circulation assistant resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "responded to inquiries and assisted library users with accessing information and communications technology and other library resources. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform library circulation assistant duties is detail oriented. Library circulation assistants 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 circulation assistants also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assist all patrons with library issues, workflows computer systems and cash management of fines, with strong attention to detail. "
Interpersonal skills. library circulation assistants are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to library circulation assistant responsibilities, because "library technicians and assistants need to work with library patrons, librarians, teachers, or researchers." A library circulation assistant resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "provide customer service skills & qualifications organize items utilize various types of media excellent communication and interpersonal skills customer service experience"
The three companies that hire the most library circulation assistants are:
- Franklin Pierce University2 library circulation assistants jobs
- The Brearley School
1 library circulation assistants jobs
- Pacific Companies1 library circulation assistants jobs
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Compare different library circulation assistants
Library circulation assistant vs. Shelver
The main responsibilities and duties of an assistant librarian are to help librarians in acquiring, preparing, and organizing materials. Assistant librarians help in checking in and out as well as in the circulation of library materials. They execute transaction activities and patron registration. It is their job to process new books, make reservations on requested books, and maintain circulation records. They weed the collection of obsolete and worn-out materials whenever necessary. It is also part of their job to greet and attend to the needs of library users.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, library circulation assistant responsibilities require skills like "library circulation," "library equipment," "library services," and "interlibrary loan." Meanwhile a typical shelver has skills in areas such as "book displays," "book carts," "numerical order," and "alphabetical order." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, shelvers reach similar levels of education than library circulation assistants. Shelvers are 3.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Library circulation assistant vs. Page
A library aide is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of libraries. Typical duties include assisting customers in finding books, shelving books according to categories, and updating and maintaining customer profiles. In addition, you will assist customers in accessing the internet, keeping a record of books that have been borrowed and returned, and coordinating the repair of books that have been damaged. You will also be responsible for handling inquiries from customers via telephone or email and assisting with reading sessions and library events.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real library circulation assistant resumes. While library circulation assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "library circulation," "customer service," "interlibrary loan," and "library policies," pages use skills like "library shelves," "decimal system," "legislative session," and "committee hearings."
On average, pages earn a lower salary than library circulation assistants. 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 circulation assistants have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $29,727.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Pages tend to reach similar levels of education than library circulation assistants. In fact, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Library circulation assistant vs. Assistant librarian
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from library circulation assistant resumes include skills like "library circulation," "customer service," "library procedures," and "collection maintenance," whereas an assistant librarian is more likely to list skills in "reference services," "collection development," "cataloging," and "library operations. "
Assistant librarians earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $61,470. Comparatively, library circulation assistants have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $29,727.assistant librarians typically earn higher educational levels compared to library circulation assistants. Specifically, they're 6.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Library circulation assistant vs. Library aide
Types of library circulation assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
