What does a library technical assistant do?
Library technical assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real library technical assistant resumes:
- Manage paperwork associate with HVAC procedures.
- Check in and out books, journals, DVDS, etc.
- Operate, maintain and troubleshoot computer equipment as required.
- Search OCLC [library record database] as well as Internet for hard to find records.
- Upgrade to full level, OCLC and RLIN bibliographic records for monographs that lack usable subject and/or classification numbers.
- Perform elementary descriptive cataloging using automate bibliographic database.
- Perform elementary descriptive cataloging using automate bibliographic database.
Library technical assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Library Technical Assistants are proficient in Library Materials, Circulation Desk, and Library Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Library Technical Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Materials, 15%
Signed in/out inmates for use of law/general library, assisted with checking in/out library materials and shelving/ repairing library materials.
- Circulation Desk, 7%
Provided customer service at circulation desk.
- Library Services, 7%
Supported program of library services under direction of Library Director.
- Library Equipment, 4%
Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment including computers, and photocopiers.
- Check-In, 4%
Assisted patrons with check-in and check-out and with locating materials at a specific branch or within the King County Library System.
- Cataloging, 3%
Performed elementary descriptive cataloging using automated bibliographic database.
Common skills that a library technical assistant uses to do their job include "library materials," "circulation desk," and "library services." You can find details on the most important library technical assistant responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a library technical assistant to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what library technical assistants do because "library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources." Additionally, a library technical assistant resume shows how library technical assistants use communication skills: "displayed customer service skills while answering phones and direct communication with base commanders results: high degree of customer satisfaction"
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform library technical assistant duties is detail oriented. Library technical assistants 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 technical assistants also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "create documentations detailing various library procedures. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of library technical assistants is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday library technical 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: "exhibited top-notch customer service, interpersonal, and multitasking skills. "
Listening skills. While "listening skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to library technical assistant responsibilities. Much of what a library technical assistant does relies on this skill, seeing as "library technicians and assistants need to listen to patrons to help them with research topics or with finding materials." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of library technical assistants: "communicated and cooperated with security, professional and ancillary staff members to facilitate library access and library programs. "
The three companies that hire the most library technical assistants are:
- My Florida Regional Mls6 library technical assistants jobs
- Florida Department of Transportation3 library technical assistants jobs
- Friends School of Baltimore2 library technical assistants jobs
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Compare different library technical assistants
Library technical assistant vs. Shelver
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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a library technical assistant are more likely to require skills like "library services," "library equipment," "check-in," and "cataloging." On the other hand, a job as a shelver requires skills like "book displays," "customer service," "shelve books," and "book drop." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Shelvers tend to reach lower levels of education than library technical assistants. In fact, shelvers are 6.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Library technical assistant vs. Page
Each career also uses different skills, according to real library technical assistant resumes. While library technical assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "check-in," "cataloging," "oclc," and "student assistants," pages use skills like "library shelves," "decimal system," "shelve books," and "legislative session."
On average, pages earn a lower salary than library technical assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, pages earn the most pay in the media industry with an average salary of $27,082. Whereas library technical assistants have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $31,875.pages earn lower levels of education than library technical assistants in general. They're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for library technical assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace
Research and Student Success Librarian, Marshall University
Library technical assistant vs. Circulation clerk
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, library technical assistants are more likely to have skills like "check-in," "cataloging," "student assistants," and "serials." But a circulation clerk is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "patron accounts," "issue library cards," and "interlibrary loan."
When it comes to education, circulation clerks tend to earn similar degree levels compared to library technical assistants. In fact, they're 3.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Library technical assistant vs. Assistant librarian
Types of library technical assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
