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Library paraprofessional skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Kacy Lovelace,

Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical library paraprofessional skills. We ranked the top skills for library paraprofessionals based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 44.7% of library paraprofessional resumes contained paraprofessional as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a library paraprofessional needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 library paraprofessional skills for your resume and career

1. Paraprofessional

Here's how library paraprofessionals use paraprofessional:

Migrated up the ranks, first as page, then circulation clerk and finally Young Adult Services library paraprofessional.
Support patrons with research projects as reference paraprofessional and answer general questions.

2. Library Resources

Here's how library paraprofessionals use library resources:

Trained and assisted students and faculty in the proper use of library resources.
Planned multiple community outreach events that included students and members of community to increase awareness of library resources and services.

3. AV

Here's how library paraprofessionals use av:

Assisted in the AV department when the media person wasn't there.
Assisted and trained students and staff with equipment use including PCs, Macs, and all AV equipment.

4. Library Books

Here's how library paraprofessionals use library books:

Check library books, materials, and textbooks in and out to students and staff.
Assisted library patron with departmental material such as locating library books and registration.

5. 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 paraprofessionals use circulation desk:

Managed all functions related to the circulation desk; coordinated and trained student aides.
Managed circulation desk which entailed the processing of incoming mail, check out/in reading material and equipment and facilitated student orientations.

6. Library Collection

Here's how library paraprofessionals use library collection:

Work with the Media Specialist to maintain the library collection and process new materials.
Assist in the selection of materials for purchase for the library collection.

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7. 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 paraprofessionals use library services:

Create brochures, signage, games, promotional displays, pamphlets, bookmarks and posters to promote library services and programs.
Assisted the implementation, coordination, and delivery of library services support and provided related front-line customer service to library patrons.

8. 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 paraprofessionals use collection development:

Carry out collection development (including new materials purchases and weeding) and other special projects such as policy making.
Assisted with collection development by selecting and ordering media according to the collection development plan.

9. Cataloging

Here's how library paraprofessionals use cataloging:

Entered data for Spectrum cataloging and circulation system.
Performed elementary descriptive cataloging using automated bibliographic database.

10. Audio-Visual Equipment

Here's how library paraprofessionals use audio-visual equipment:

Maintained and repaired or arranged for the repair of all audio-visual equipment.

11. 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 paraprofessionals use reference services:

Provide research assistance through reference services during scheduled times via e-mail, chat, and in person.
Provided reader's advisory and reference services to adults and children.

12. Library Database

Here's how library paraprofessionals use library database:

Assisted students and staff with school library database functions, primarily utilizing library-sorting system to locate specific works.
Complete various library projects such as searching for outdated material and updating library databases.

13. Interlibrary Loan

Here's how library paraprofessionals use interlibrary loan:

Provided training for interlibrary loan procedures, technologies and advances to staff, interns and patrons.
Prepared and maintained interlibrary loan reports, statistics, invoices, etc.

14. OCLC

Here's how library paraprofessionals use oclc:

Provided accurate bibliographic and descriptive cataloging into OCLC and Merlin.
Use OCLC to locate sources, verify holdings and order books and articles for the university patrons.

15. Administration Policies

Here's how library paraprofessionals use administration policies:

Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.

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What skills help Library Paraprofessionals find jobs?

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

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

Kacy Lovelace

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 paraprofessionals need?

Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.

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.

Do you want to know more?

List of library paraprofessional skills to add to your resume

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

Paraprofessional
Library Resources
AV
Library Books
Circulation Desk
Library Collection

Library Services
Collection Development
Cataloging
Audio-Visual Equipment
Reference Services
Library Database

Interlibrary Loan
OCLC
Administration Policies
Copy Machines
Library Equipment
Circulation Services

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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