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What does a library clerk do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

Library clerks help librarians by primarily doing sorting, shelving, updating database and files, and cataloging several library materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, and multimedia resources. They check books and other resources in and out of the library assist in the procurement of library supplies, work with audio-visual equipment most of the time. In addition, other job responsibilities include setting up book displays, repairing damaged books, sending out overdue notices, and helping visitors find what they look for.

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Library clerk responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real library clerk resumes:

  • Issue out DVDs, CD's, and newspapers to library customers.
  • Check in and out library merchandise including: books, audio recordings, magazines, and DVDs.
  • Perform copy cataloging, subject analysis and assignment of classification numbers.
  • Perform regular cataloging of new acquisitions, maintaining accurate data building for microfilm, microfiche, periodicals, and academic collections.
  • Collate, and burned documents to CDs for time-sensitive shipment.
  • Shelve music books, music scores, CDs, vinyl record albums, and audiobooks.
  • Stay up-to-date on adult best-sellers and widely read areas of adult fiction and non-fiction.
  • Develop library collection materials for young adults including award-winning non-fiction and fiction titles.
  • Assess and discard non-fiction collections as assigned.

Library clerk skills and personality traits

We calculated that 19% of Library Clerks are proficient in Library Materials, Customer Service, and Circulation Desk. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Library Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Library Materials, 19%

    Preformed specialized task in organizing archival material and Music Library material Reason for leaving: Moving to Southern California

  • Customer Service, 12%

    Provided customer service, opened and maintained memberships and assisted library staff with material circulation, organization, and maintenance.

  • Circulation Desk, 7%

    Develop customer interaction and promotional skills via telephone service and/or e-mail service on circulation desk.

  • Library Patrons, 4%

    Provided technical support and instruction to library patrons using electronic resources and reference tools.

  • Word Processing, 3%

    Perform routine typing and word processing, power point, excel, and operate office machines.

  • Office Equipment, 3%

    Use office equipment including fax machine, cash register, typewriter, copy machine, and scanner.

Most library clerks use their skills in "library materials," "customer service," and "circulation desk" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential library clerk responsibilities here:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a library clerk to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what library clerks do because "library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources." Additionally, a library clerk resume shows how library clerks use communication skills: "coordinate with patrons on a one-to-one basis: enhancing customer service and communication skills. "

Detail oriented. Many library clerk duties rely on detail oriented. "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.," so a library clerk will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways library clerk responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "entered materials into new computer system, with detail accuracy, processed new books, assisted children's librarian. "

Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for library clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how library clerk 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 clerk: "provide customer service skills & qualifications organize items utilize various types of media excellent communication and interpersonal skills customer service experience".

All library clerk skills

The three companies that hire the most library clerks are:

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Compare different library clerks

Library clerk vs. Acquisitions assistant

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.

The annual salary of acquisitions assistants is $2,082 higher than the average salary of library clerks.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both library clerk and acquisitions assistant positions are skilled in library materials, library system, and dvds.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, library clerk responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "circulation desk," "library patrons," and "word processing." Meanwhile a typical acquisitions assistant has skills in areas such as "hr," "data entry," "background checks," and "interview process." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

The education levels that acquisitions assistants earn slightly differ from library clerks. In particular, acquisitions assistants are 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a library clerk. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Library clerk vs. Reference assistant

A product assistant assists the marketing manager in executing and formulating plans for assigned products designed to achieve company sales, profit objectives, and units. Their major responsibilities are to assist in the package and product development of new and existing products and to determine their selling features. They advertise programs in conjunction with media agencies, prepare budgets for the assigned brands, and conduct periodic store checks and submit observations. Also, they assist in the development of specific strategies and execute action plans for the brands.

On average, reference assistants earn a $2,401 lower salary than library clerks a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both library clerks and reference assistants have skills such as "library materials," "circulation desk," and "library patrons. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real library clerk resumes. While library clerk responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "front desk," "dewey decimal system," and "clerical tasks," reference assistants use skills like "interlibrary loan," "reference services," "reference assistance," and "reference librarians."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Reference assistants tend to reach higher levels of education than library clerks. In fact, they're 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Library clerk vs. Product assistant

Public Services Assistants will not necessarily need a degree for this career choice, yet a high school diploma or GED will be absolutely necessary. Paying out at around $43K per year, this position will require skills in communication, reading, writing, listening, and hearing, as well as basic telephone, computer, and perhaps even copier operations for receiving information. The tasks involved in this career will include answering customer inquiries and passing them to other departments, selling products, taking orders, and arranging for customer services.

An average product assistant eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of library clerks. The difference in salaries amounts to product assistants earning a $61,384 higher average salary than library clerks.library clerks and product assistants both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "front desk," and "computer system," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, library clerks are more likely to have skills like "library materials," "circulation desk," "library patrons," and "word processing." But a product assistant is more likely to have skills like "data entry," "product assistance," "product development," and "market research."

When it comes to education, product assistants tend to earn similar degree levels compared to library clerks. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Library clerk vs. Public services assistant

Public services assistants average a higher salary than the annual salary of library clerks. The difference is about $4,830 per year.While their salaries may vary, library clerks and public services assistants both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "circulation desk," and "library patrons. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between library clerks and public services assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a library clerk might have more use for skills like "library materials," "office equipment," "library collection," and "clerical tasks." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of public services assistants require skills like "community outreach," "medicaid," "service desk," and "telephone inquiries. "

Public services assistants enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $37,333. For comparison, library clerks earn the highest salary in the finance industry.public services assistants reach similar levels of education compared to library clerks, in general. The difference is that they're 3.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of library clerk

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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