What does a library services assistant do?
A Library assistant or circulation assistant is responsible for doing administrative tasks inside a library. They serve as an apprentice of the Librarian who serves the students or other clients in finding a book or material they need. They do daily checking of in and out books, maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the different sections by putting the materials in their necessary places. Also, they do research references depending on the need of their head.
Library services assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real library services assistant resumes:
- 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.
Library services assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Library Services Assistants are proficient in Library Services, Library Policies, and Interlibrary Loan. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Library Services Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Services, 15%
Instructed patrons on how to use library services, reference sources, card catalog, microfilm reader and photocopier.
- Library Policies, 8%
Provided assistance to library users and visitors Applied library policies for closing and opening the facility
- Interlibrary Loan, 6%
Ordered, received, cataloged, and processed library materials * Edited and maintained bibliographic database, including Interlibrary Loans
- Library Patrons, 6%
Provided administrative support and customer service to library patrons as well as faculty, university wide.
- Customer Service, 6%
Increased direct customer service and technical assistance in university commons.
- Library System, 5%
Resigned when the library system as a result of the municipalities broke away from the City of Memphis/Shelby County Library System.
"library services," "library policies," and "interlibrary loan" are among the most common skills that library services assistants use at work. You can find even more library services assistant responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a library services assistant to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources." Additionally, a library services assistant resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "acted as the communication link for students who have used library resources to the dean and assistant deans of blagg-huey libraries. "
Detail oriented. Many library services assistant 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 services assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways library services assistant responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "shelve books on all floors of the building by the detail specific dewey decimal system. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of library services assistants is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday library services assistant duties, as "library technicians and assistants need to work with library patrons, librarians, teachers, or researchers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed exceptional customer service and interpersonal communication skills. "
The three companies that hire the most library services assistants are:
- Fort Bend County3 library services assistants jobs
- Yale University2 library services assistants jobs
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center1 library services assistants jobs
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Compare different library services assistants
Library services assistant vs. Page
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 services assistants and page. For instance, library services assistant responsibilities require skills such as "library policies," "interlibrary loan," "customer service," and "readers advisory." Whereas a page is skilled in "library shelves," "decimal system," "shelve books," and "legislative session." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Pages tend to make the most money working in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $27,082. In contrast, library services assistants make the biggest average salary, $34,153, in the education industry.pages tend to reach lower levels of education than library services assistants. In fact, pages are 7.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Library services assistant vs. Shelver
Each career also uses different skills, according to real library services assistant resumes. While library services assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "library services," "library policies," "interlibrary loan," and "readers advisory," shelvers use skills like "book displays," "shelve books," "library books," and "cds."
Shelvers earn lower levels of education than library services assistants in general. They're 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for library services assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace
Research and Student Success Librarian, Marshall University
Library services assistant vs. Circulation clerk
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, library services assistants are more likely to have skills like "readers advisory," "cataloging," "reference services," and "collection development." But a circulation clerk is more likely to have skills like "patron accounts," "issue library cards," "computer system," and "customer accounts."
Most circulation clerks achieve a similar degree level compared to library services assistants. For example, they're 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Library services assistant vs. Assistant librarian
Types of library services assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
