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Job outlook for library services assistants in the United States
Library services assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected library services assistant job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -6,400 new jobs for library services assistants are projected over the next decade.
Library services assistant salaries have increased 14% for library services assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 38,955 library services assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 57,450 active library services assistant job openings in the US.
The average library services assistant salary is $34,232.
Are library services assistant jobs in demand?
Library services assistant job and salary trends over time
Library services assistant jobs over time
Library services assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 38,955 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 41,978 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 42,648 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 44,167 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 46,734 | 0.01% |
Average library services assistant salary over time
Library services assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,232 | $16.46 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $32,754 | $15.75 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $31,575 | $15.18 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $30,752 | $14.78 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $30,049 | $14.45 | +3.0% |
Library services assistant jobs by state
Most common states for library services assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 175 | 25% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 448 | 14% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 105 | 14% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 723 | 13% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 731 | 10% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 548 | 10% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 193 | 10% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 137 | 10% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 619 | 9% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 353 | 9% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 90 | 9% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 82 | 9% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 76 | 9% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 67 | 9% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 54 | 9% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 460 | 8% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 279 | 8% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 147 | 8% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 81 | 8% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 49 | 8% |
Most common cities for library services assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst | 1 | 3% | $53,683 |
| 2 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $29,781 |
| 3 | Columbus | 1 | 1% | $27,754 |
Library Services Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of library services assistant experts
University of Central Missouri
Texas Woman's University
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Texas Woman's University
Marshall University
The University of Iowa
University of Central Missouri
What general advice would you give to a Library Services Assistant?
Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA: We recommend that our graduate students get a job in a library prior to graduating if possible, or get to know the librarians in the area in which you want to work by volunteering, doing service projects, or internships. That will help with the transition into a library career and build a local network. As graduates begin a career as a librarian, take some time to learn how things work in the library by getting to know your collection, your patrons and the needs of the community. You may have a lot of ideas as you get started, but not enough time to do them all. Write these ideas down, as well as some action steps and resources for accomplishing them. Revisit these ideas as you can.
What Library Services Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA: Librarians have a core set of values that will stand the test of time, but it is also helpful to have new skills related to social media marketing, change management, digital literacy and the mental habits for learning to adapt with an evolving digital information landscape. Collaboration (within the library and outside of the library) is also an important skill for librarians to have.
What will help Library Services Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jenna Kammer Ph.D., MLS, MA: The MLS degree is the number one best way to maximize your salary potential when starting a new library career. As library jobs can be competitive, build a resume of evidence which shows your skills and passion for library work, as well as curating a list of excellent references who can help you to land that job.
Kerol Harrod
Lecturer, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s UniversityTexas Woman's University
Computer And Information Sciences
What will help Library Services Assistants increase their earning potential?
Kerol Harrod: Master the skills of the entry-level job you are given in the beginning to get the job you want in the end. Offer to assist with projects that will help you learn the skills you need for success, and always be on the lookout for continuing education opportunities like in-house trainings, conferences, and webinars. If you show an interest in going above and beyond, then you will improve your knowledge and skills, which in turn improves your chances for advancement in the field.
What general advice would you give to a Library Services Assistant?
Kerol Harrod: 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.
What Library Services Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kerol Harrod: Knowing how to navigate AI and the types of issues that arise therefrom (copyright, plagiarism, AI hallucinations, etc.) will become more important as the technology progresses. Generally keeping abreast of new technologies and ways to access information is also key to providing good service to library patrons. Understanding the basics of community librarianship, evidence-based practice, marketing, and community outreach will be crucial to libraries and librarians looking to maintain relevance in an increasingly connected world.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Library Services Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Andrew Wertheimer Ph.D.: Most libraries are in the public sector, so I imagine the job situation will depend greatly on bailouts for states and local governments. The Trump administration and Senate forced states to reply to COVID-19 issues without giving them funding, so local and state governments had to freeze hiring in most places for all civil service positions. Now that we have a new administration which sees the value of education and libraries and local government, I expect jobs to slowly recover. I think the pandemic certainly increased the need for graduates with strong technology skills. Of course, there also is strength for those who can market their ICT skills in other workplaces too. I imagine health informatics will continue to be a growth field.
What technical skills for a Library Services Assistant stand out to employers?
Andrew Wertheimer Ph.D.: Libraries and archives look for a variety of skills. It would be hard to specify which ones since different workplaces need different skills. The reason they hire our graduates is that they have this wide range of skills as well as soft-skills to provide service to users and communities in an ethical and legal way. If I had to name a few areas though I would say health informatics, digital archives, digital libraries, online instruction, as well as data science. Again, different employers have different technical needs. Our employers keep telling us that they also need the strong foundations plus soft skills.
What's a good job out of college for Library Services Assistants?
Andrew Wertheimer Ph.D.: To become a librarian or archivist one needs a Master's of Library and Information Science (MLS) so it is a big investment after getting a BA/BS. Each person is going to have their own definition of what is a good job. I advise my students to think about what is important to them. Some will go for the highest paying job, and others will be more excited about the potential for promotion, but I would have to say that our graduates also want to see a learning environment in an organization that really serves their community. I would say that most libraries and archives are great places to work since they are all about helping communities with collections and services.
Ling Hwey Jeng
Professor and the Director of School of Library and Information StudiesTexas Woman's University
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Library Services Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Ling Hwey Jeng: The biggest revelation, since the beginning of the pandemic, is that librarians provide services and contribute to the local community with or without the physical building of libraries. This is evident in communities across the country and all over the world. As soon as many cities went into lock-down in March 2020, librarians promptly took on the role of second responders by actively joining the crisis response efforts. These include, for example, producing PPE's using their 3D printers, expanding virtual library services for residents stuck at home, providing instructional supports for K-12 virtual learning, and enhancing wi-fi services to those without broadband connectivity at home.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Library Services Assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Ling Hwey Jeng: Librarians use information and communication technologies to facilitate positive changes in the community. The pandemic has heightened the devastating effects of the digital divide in many communities and the systemic racial, social, and economic inequities, especially among residents in underrepresented areas. For more than a century, librarians have been at the forefront of using technology to improve their own work in the libraries. The pandemic makes it clear that librarians are in the best position to take advantage of both information and communication technologies in community building. Technologies that are needed include not only those used to build systems such as library systems but also technologies that lead to solutions to individual problems and improve the quality of life of the community, such as broadband technology and personal devices.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Library Services Assistants?
Ling Hwey Jeng: A thriving community is one with (a) an employable workforce that allows all residents who want to work, can work, and earn livable wages, (b) healthy families where all residents have accessible and affordable healthcare, and (c) informed citizenship achieved through a full range of opportunities from early childhood literacy, to K-12 education, to higher education, to career development and retraining, to information services to seniors. Librarians play a significant role at each and every stage of lifelong learning for all residents. The need for librarians' knowledge and skills will continue even, and especially, during economic hardship.
What experience really stands out on Library Services Assistant resumes?
Kacy Lovelace: While it might seem like an obvious answer, make sure that you have experience working in a library (or information center)! Student experience, such as graduate assistantships, internships, and practicums, are invaluable because they let you experience the day-to-day operations of a library department and, to an extent, the library as a whole.
This experience shows prospective employees that you are familiar with library operations and probably enjoy working in a library. If you don't have library experience, start looking for it now! Check with your advisor, campus libraries, or local public libraries for volunteer or entry-level positions to gain you the necessary hands-on library experience.
Additionally, connect the experience that you do have to library and information science. Do you have experience with academic writing or editing experience? Show how these experiences are beneficial to positions that you apply for in library science.
What Library Services Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kacy Lovelace: 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 technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Library Services Assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace: Jobs in the library and information science constitute a mix of public-facing employment and those that are not. But if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it's that our communication methods and, more specifically, that we have various ways to communicate are more important than ever. Platforms like Microsoft Office (Teams), Google Drive, Skype for Business, and SharePoint allow us to continue sharing and collaborating. Possessing a strong knowledge base about the communication tools that you are using makes you a better collaborator and makes you better at your job.
Lindsay Mattock
Associate Director, Associate ProfessorThe University of Iowa
School of Library and Information Science
What experience really stands out on Library Services Assistant resumes?
Lindsay Mattock: For students in Library Science, building a set of practical experiences to complement course work is critical. I always encourage students to consider listing service-learning experiences from their coursework alongside internships, practicum, volunteer positions, and professional posts. Staying active in professional organizations is another way to gain valuable experience and network with professionals in the field.
How do you envision technology impacting Library Services Assistants in the next 5 years?
Lindsay Mattock: LIS is already a technologically-engaged field. So much of the professional practice relies on working with digital platforms, providing access to digital resources, and teaching patrons how to use these tools. It is essential to keep in mind that technology is always changing, but that skills translate across platforms. Many position advertisements request experience with specific software, but this doesn't mean that you need to learn a new tool to land the position. Professionals in the field are looking for candidates that can learn on the job, work with unfamiliar technologies, and apply core LIS theories in practice.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Library Services Assistants?
Lindsay Mattock: While the pandemic has exposed inequities in our profession and in the communities that we serve, I think that many libraries and collecting institutions have found opportunities to engage with people in new ways. I've talked to many professionals who have had opportunities to keep people employed and hire new folks to help build digital collections. At the same time, patrons cannot visit libraries, archives, and museums. The misinformation surrounding coronavirus (and the election) have only emphasized the importance of information literacy in society, creating additional opportunities to advocate for libraries in our communities and schools. I encourage students to reflect on their experiences during the pandemic and develop better services, collections, and programs that will equitably engage everyone in our communities. I do not doubt that future employers will want to know how your professional practice and perspective on the field have been affected by the events of 2020.
Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Program CoordinatorUniversity of Central Missouri
Library Science and Information Services (LIS) Program
What type of skills will young Library Services Assistants need?
Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.: 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.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Library Services Assistants to find work opportunities?
Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.: Librarians are needed in all 50 states, in nearly every K-12 school, every university, and every community has a library. Bigger cities have more frequent opportunities, but there are regular openings for librarian jobs in every state, even in very small towns. I have received emails from library board directors of small towns begging for applicants.
How do you envision technology impacting Library Services Assistants in the next 5 years?
Dr. Rene Burress Ph.D.: Technology has already had a major impact on the field and will continue to have one. Librarians have to stay up-to-date on their technical knowledge. They must attend conferences where they learn about new technologies, read journals, and professional literature about technology and use/purchase it for their libraries on a regular basis.