What does a library specialist do?
Library specialists are professionals who are responsible for assisting library patrons by performing a variety of tasks assigned by librarians. These specialists are required to perform duties such as telephone calls, responding to the questions of patrons, and assisting teachers and their students. They must help library patrons find resources that can include reference materials, electronic journals, and audiovisual equipment. Library specialists must also catalog and process other print and non-print materials while using a pushcart to re-shelve or deliver library books.
Library specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real library specialist resumes:
- Search, edit, and incorporate new OCLC catalog records into OPAC.
- Access and search OCLC for bibliographic records to copy catalog and process new materials.
- Derive original cataloging and edit existing cataloging records following local and national standards.
- Participate in group tasks as needed, including original and copy cataloging, inventory and staff development workshops
- Convert documents to HTML for submission to the on line library.
- Correct HTML, CSS, and Javascript relate programming errors on student websites.
- Input information into the voyager computer system to verify bibliographic information.
- Edit certain fields as necessary in Sirsi.
- Enter incoming items into AFPLS circulation software database, SIRSI.
- Verify and adjust existing MARC records to meet approval and/or customer specifications.
- Process new materials by verifying MARC record accuracy and preparing materials for circulation.
- Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.
Library specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Library Specialists are proficient in Library Materials, Library Services, and Library Resources. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Library Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Materials, 12%
Shifted library materials and assisted in organizing collection or projects.
- Library Services, 9%
Provided full service library services to the public in the field, including reference, tech support, and circulation services.
- Library Resources, 5%
Perform the duties of operating a high school library and teaching students to utilize library resources.
- Library Policies, 5%
Explain library policies and procedures to library users and make sure all policies and procedures are followed.
- University Libraries, 5%
Communicate with other university libraries to research and identify acquisitions.
- Electronic Resources, 4%
Answered patron reference questions regarding the library catalog and electronic resources via phone, email, and in-person.
Most library specialists use their skills in "library materials," "library services," and "library resources" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential library specialist responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a library specialist to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "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." Library specialists often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed detail-oriented physical preparation of library materials such as books and media. "
Communication skills. Many library specialist duties rely on communication skills. "library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources.," so a library specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways library specialist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "position required good grammar, spelling, communication and organizational skills, and excellent customer service skills. "
Interpersonal skills. library specialists are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to library specialist responsibilities, because "library technicians and assistants need to work with library patrons, librarians, teachers, or researchers." A library specialist resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "cited for excellence in interpersonal communications, teamwork, customer service, flexibility and reliability. "
The three companies that hire the most library specialists are:
- Arapahoe Libraries5 library specialists jobs
- University of South Carolina4 library specialists jobs
- Amazon2 library specialists jobs
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Compare different library specialists
Library specialist vs. Book shelver
A technician's helper primarily performs support tasks to assist technicians in carrying out various installations and repairs, learning technical skills along the way. They usually prepare and arrange tools and equipment, set-up and clean work areas, understand blueprints and schematics, troubleshoot issues, assemble materials, and fix and replace components under the technician's supervision. There are also times when they must coordinate with clients to identify their needs and preferences. Moreover, depending on their organization of employment, a technician's helper may also perform minimal clerical tasks such as handling calls, answering inquiries, or purchasing the necessary materials.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, library specialist responsibilities require skills like "library services," "library resources," "library policies," and "university libraries." Meanwhile a typical book shelver has skills in areas such as "front desk," "delivery carts," "computer system," and "lc." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Book shelvers tend to reach lower levels of education than library specialists. In fact, book shelvers are 14.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Library specialist vs. Technician's helper
Each career also uses different skills, according to real library specialist resumes. While library specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "library materials," "library services," "library resources," and "library policies," technician's helpers use skills like "hvac," "safety regulations," "facilitate repair," and "routine maintenance."
On average, technician's helpers earn a higher salary than library specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technician's helpers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $47,535. Whereas library specialists have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $34,768.technician's helpers earn lower levels of education than library specialists in general. They're 16.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for library specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace
Research and Student Success Librarian, Marshall University
Library specialist vs. Cataloging technician
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, library specialists are more likely to have skills like "library services," "library resources," "library policies," and "university libraries." But a cataloging technician is more likely to have skills like "database maintenance," "computer system," "biographies," and "aacr2."
When it comes to education, cataloging technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to library specialists. In fact, they're 4.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Library specialist vs. Circulation technician
Types of library specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
