How To Become A Library Services Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a library services assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Kerol Harrod

A library services assistant is a paraprofessional who performs clerical duties in a library. They work under the supervision of a librarian or a library technician and keep the library organized and efficient while assisting patrons. They assist patrons in locating materials and checking them in and out at the circulation desk. Also, they assist customers with internet access and meet their technical needs. The library services assistant keeps inventory and restocks shelves when necessary. As the name implies, library services assistants work in libraries. Work is mostly part-time with a flexible schedule.

All you need to apply for the position is your high school diploma, or its equivalent, and a minimum of six months of experience. Customer service, problem-solving, communication, organization, computer, and interpersonal skills are very important to a library services assistant. The salary on average is $24,960, which is approximately $12 per hour.

What general advice would you give to a library services assistant?

Kerol Harrod

Lecturer, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University, Texas Woman's University

Much of what I would advise involves just sticking to the basics. Show up to work on time. Have a good attitude and a growth mindset. Don't complain about menial tasks, and always be looking to learn the skills of the next position above you. I started out as the transit driver in my library system, loading and unloading boxes of books that circulated among the different library branches. I worked my way up, and now I am teaching graduate students how to become librarians. Put in the time and do the work. Networking is a huge part of success, so it's important to maintain good connections with co-workers, former professors, and fellow librarians. Finally, consider establishing a mentorship with a successful, trusted colleague who has experience in the position you want to attain. Personal connections go a long way.

ScoreLibrary Services AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,232

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.77%

Asian 6.52%

Black or African American 9.98%

Hispanic or Latino 14.69%

Unknown 4.76%

White 63.30%

Gender

female 70.44%

male 29.56%

Age - 49

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

3.7

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a library services assistant

Explore library services assistant education requirements

Most common library services assistant degrees

Bachelor's

67.7 %

Associate

14.2 %

Master's

11.4 %

Start to develop specific library services assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Library Services	14.93%
Library Policies	8.15%
Interlibrary Loan	6.48%
Library Patrons	5.96%
Customer Service	5.76%

Complete relevant library services assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New library services assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a library services assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real library services assistant resumes.

Research library services assistant duties and responsibilities

Maintain student files by entering intake paperwork into database, while maintaining confidentiality through HIPAA and FERPA.
Evaluate and select database for serials management.
Contribute to the SCRC blog and create a digital library guide using LibGuides on SCRC research strategies: http: //researchguides.library.syr.edu/scrcresearchstrategies.
Return DVDs to shelves and maintain proper alphabetical organization.

Prepare your library services assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your library services assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a library services assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable library services assistant resume templates

Build a professional library services assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your library services assistant resume.

Apply for library services assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a library services assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do library services assistants rate their job?

-/5

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1 star

Library services assistant reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Pros

I'm an academic librarian, so helping students learn about information and research, teaching classes about same, and the intellectual aspect of working with information access around colleagues who are smart and kind. I've also been a teacher and a sales and marketing executive, but librarianship is by far my most rewarding career.

Cons

The pay. The stereotypes. The people who ask, "do they even still have libraries"?

A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019