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Library technician skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Andrew Wertheimer Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical library technician skills. We ranked the top skills for library technicians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 5.6% of library technician resumes contained library services as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a library technician needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 library technician skills for your resume and career

1. Library Services

Library Services are those resources, products, and events provided and held by a library or a similar entity to an individual. Users of the library may make use of these tools, which often differ from one institution to the next but amongst which may be things like online information and phone services, literary and other classes, book clubs, referencing services, and a number of other things.

Here's how library technicians use library services:
  • Responded to customer inquiries and referred customers to appropriate library services while maintaining a professional manner.
  • Coordinated technical and circulation operations with other library services.

2. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how library technicians use data entry:
  • Specialized data entry into Library Catalog using MARC format, including editing, record retrieval and consolidation.
  • Completed data entry for initiated or reconciled request forms.

3. Circulation Desk

A circulation desk refers to a place in the library where one can check-in, borrow materials, pay fines, collect inquiries, and many more during library hours. It is usually located near the main entrance of each library.

Here's how library technicians use circulation desk:
  • Performed circulation desk duties to include assistance in finding reference materials, answered reference questions and registered new patrons.
  • Provided patron service at the circulation desk and organized various library programs and activities to include publicity.

4. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how library technicians use customer service:
  • Deliver exceptional customer service to both external and internal library patrons through use of technical and functional expertise in critical areas.
  • Provided customer service by registering new patrons, explaining policy and procedures, privileges and availability of services.

5. Library System

Here's how library technicians use library system:
  • Maintained bibliographic records using OCLC and Horizon Integrated Library System.
  • Chaired several other miscellaneous committees within the university library system.

6. Library Patrons

Here's how library technicians use library patrons:
  • Delivered professional yet personal guidance and assistance to library patrons via library resources including use of computers and electronic devices.
  • Circulate library media and aid library patrons in determining and locating appropriate print and electronic resources.

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7. Library Resources

Here's how library technicians use library resources:
  • Helped organize library resources and assisted users.
  • Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audiovisual equipment, computers and other electronic resources.

8. Word Processing

Here's how library technicians use word processing:
  • Performed clerical activities, i.e., dispatching, sorting and posting mail, filing, word processing, and photocopying.
  • Staffed an adult computer lab with 12 Internet access terminals and 2 word processing terminals.

9. Cataloging

Here's how library technicians use cataloging:
  • Provided routine copy cataloging of print and electronic resources using bibliographic tools such as Library of Congress classification and Subject Headings.
  • Performed original and copy cataloging of adult books, government documents and audio/visual materials using the Marion database.

10. Library Equipment

Here's how library technicians use library equipment:
  • Compiled maintenance and inventory reports of library equipment, utilizing proprietary software.
  • Maintained and troubleshot problems with library equipment including computers and photocopiers.

11. Library Operations

Here's how library technicians use library operations:
  • Maintained records and prepared reports relative to assigned library operations and/or programs.
  • Assisted in daily library operations, as well as special projects, and training of library employees.

12. OCLC

Here's how library technicians use oclc:
  • Utilized the on-line public access catalog and on-line databases such as DIALOG and OCLC FirstSearch to prepare subject bibliographies.
  • Modify existing Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) records and prepare books for shelf readiness.

13. Library Collection

Here's how library technicians use library collection:
  • Managed 11,000+ volume library collection, including collection development, materials acquisitions, resource management, and technical services.
  • Worked with Collection Development Specialist to select library collections based on curricular needs for schools without a librarian.

14. Library Cards

Here's how library technicians use library cards:
  • Research, circulate, renew and discharge books and other materials, enter and updated medical student's library cards.
  • Collected fines, issued library cards, answered phone and performed ready-reference services by phone and in person.

15. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how library technicians use troubleshoot:
  • Installed, configured, troubleshoot laser scanners, RFID readers and antennas, sensors, detectors, actuators, payment systems.
  • Process incoming mail, produce purchase orders for libraries and judges, troubleshoot with vendors and branch libraries.
top-skills

What skills help Library Technicians find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What technical skills for a library technician stand out to employers?

Andrew Wertheimer Ph.D.Andrew Wertheimer Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Library & Information Science Program, University of Hawai'i at Manoa

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.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about library technician

List of library technician skills to add to your resume

Library technician skills

The most important skills for a library technician resume and required skills for a library technician to have include:

  • Library Services
  • Data Entry
  • Circulation Desk
  • Customer Service
  • Library System
  • Library Patrons
  • Library Resources
  • Word Processing
  • Cataloging
  • Library Equipment
  • Library Operations
  • OCLC
  • Library Collection
  • Library Cards
  • Troubleshoot
  • Library Materials
  • Dewey Decimal System
  • Reference Materials
  • Library Policies
  • Student Assistants
  • Overdue Materials
  • Technical Service
  • Library Catalog
  • ILS
  • Collection Maintenance
  • Overdue Notices
  • Reference Services
  • Library Books
  • Library Procedures
  • Electronic Resources
  • Statistical Reports
  • PC
  • Front Desk
  • Library Programs
  • Voyager
  • Audiovisual Equipment
  • Shelve Books
  • Technical Assistance
  • Law Library
  • Collection Development
  • Marc
  • Reference Desk
  • Inter-Library Loans
  • Circulation System
  • University Libraries
  • Windows
  • DVDs
  • PowerPoint
  • Computer Lab
  • Public Library

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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