What does a library media assistant do?
Library media assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real library media assistant resumes:
- Assist with video recording and cataloging of activities on an IBM.
- Perform original cataloging and copy cataloging.
- Develop system to streamline classroom media requests resulting in more efficient distribution of materials.
- Engage in moderate weeding projects of the fiction, biography, and nonfiction collections.
- Assess and discard non-fiction collections as assigned.
Library media assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Library Media Assistants are proficient in Library Materials, Media, and Library Books. They’re also known for soft skills such as Technology skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Library Media Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Materials, 14%
Created in-warehouse orders in addition to direct manufacturer orders for miscellaneous library materials.
- Media, 14%
Operated specialized computer system for circulating media center materials, Horizon and Polaris Information Portals.
- Library Books, 6%
Assist students in the acquisition, distribution and collection of library books, resource materials and textbooks.
- Instructional Materials, 6%
Created purchase requisitions of instructional materials and facilitate purchasing process for school site (school budget is site-based).
- Circulation Desk, 5%
Provided students with reference and technological services in addition to working the circulation desk.
- Library Equipment, 5%
Operated standard library equipment such as audio-visual equipment, photocopiers, microfiche machines, cash registers and networked library computers.
Most library media assistants use their skills in "library materials," "media," and "library books" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential library media assistant responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling library media assistant duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "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." According to a library media assistant resume, here's how library media assistants can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "supply detailed daily statistics in refstats database for print and electronic reference services provided. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of library media assistants is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday library media assistant duties, as "library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "communicated with colleagues and library patrons on-site and thought communication systems (email, phone and fax). "
Interpersonal skills. library media assistant responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "library technicians and assistants need to work with library patrons, librarians, teachers, or researchers." This resume example shows what library media assistants do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "demonstrated quality customer service, interpersonal skills, commitment, reliability, attention to details, and problem-solving. "
The three companies that hire the most library media assistants are:
- WKYU1 library media assistants jobs
- Salem-Keizer Public Schools1 library media assistants jobs
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Compare different library media assistants
Library media 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between library media assistants and shelver. For instance, library media assistant responsibilities require skills such as "media," "instructional materials," "library equipment," and "bulletin boards." Whereas a shelver is skilled in "book displays," "customer service," "shelve books," and "library patrons." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Shelvers tend to reach lower levels of education than library media assistants. In fact, shelvers are 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Library media assistant vs. Page
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, library media assistant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "media," "instructional materials," "bulletin boards," and "research projects." Meanwhile, a page has duties that require skills in areas such as "library patrons," "library shelves," "decimal system," and "shelve books." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Pages earn a lower average salary than library media assistants. But pages earn the highest pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $27,082. Additionally, library media assistants earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $32,940 annually.pages earn lower levels of education than library media assistants in general. They're 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Library media assistant vs. Circulation clerk
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 media assistant resumes include skills like "media," "instructional materials," "bulletin boards," and "research projects," whereas a circulation clerk is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "patron accounts," "library patrons," and "issue library cards. "
Circulation clerks typically earn similar educational levels compared to library media assistants. Specifically, they're 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Library media assistant vs. Assistant librarian
Even though a few skill sets overlap between library media assistants and assistant librarians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a library media assistant might have more use for skills like "media," "instructional materials," "bulletin boards," and "audio visual equipment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of assistant librarians require skills like "reference services," "library patrons," "library system," and "front desk. "
In general, assistant librarians earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $61,470. The highest-paying industry for a library media assistant is the education industry.In general, assistant librarians hold similar degree levels compared to library media assistants. Assistant librarians are 4.3% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of library media assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
