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Technical services librarian skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Kerol Harrod,
Andrew Wertheimer Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical technical services librarian skills. We ranked the top skills for technical services librarians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.0% of technical services librarian resumes contained library services as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a technical services librarian needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 technical services librarian 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 technical services librarians use library services:
  • Provided nationwide access to library services and publications via a specialized integrated library system.
  • Improved patron redirection efficiency by creating a comprehensive database of library services.

2. Collection Development

Collection development is the systematic and economical creation and evaluation of a library's inventory to meet the information needs of library users in a timely and cost-effective manner, using local information resources as well as resources from other organizations. Its purpose is to aid the mission of the library and involves both selecting and deselecting library resources. The library collection also includes general information resources to assist in a learning environment in subjects not covered in the classroom.

Here's how technical services librarians use collection development:
  • Interacted with firm libraries nationwide to effectively accomplish cataloging and collection development functions in all firm offices.
  • Shared in general reference, instruction, and collection development functions with other library professionals.

3. Library Resources

Here's how technical services librarians use library resources:
  • Cataloged information, programmed and maintained a rudimentary search engine for querying library resources.
  • Designed training materials and conducted training sessions on using library resources.

4. Technical Service

Technical service is work provided by a business involving the scientific application of machines, processes, and systems. Examples include plumbing, providing IT support to customers, and managing data facilities for companies. These services require strong knowledge in science and technology which can be acquired through formal and informal education.

Here's how technical services librarians use technical service:
  • Collaborated with the Technical Services Manager on special projects including the continuing implementation of new integrated library system modules in EOS.
  • Performed supervisory and responsible technical library work managing and directing Technical Services and Processing Department in the County Library Department.

5. Library Materials

Here's how technical services librarians use library materials:
  • Maintained library collection, located information, processed library materials and assisted patrons with routine inquiries.
  • Maintained inventory records and notified students lost or overdue library materials.

6. Emerging Technologies

Here's how technical services librarians use emerging technologies:
  • Attended conferences and workshops to stay abreast with the emerging technologies.
  • Played active role on various committees pertaining to development of emerging technologies.

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7. Serials

Here's how technical services librarians use serials:
  • Cataloged new books and serials in MARC using copy and original cataloging methods on Horizon SirsiDynix database.
  • Developed, organized, cataloged and maintained library's serials collection.

8. Electronic Resources

The term ‘electronic resources' refers to reading or visual materials stored in digital format, and they only get accessed electronically. Examples include e-books, e-journals and online databases.

Here's how technical services librarians use electronic resources:
  • Use the library catalog system and other electronic resources to locate and place materials on reserve for customers.
  • Researched in-depth information requests using various print/electronic resources and provided ready reference service to the auditing staff.

9. OCLC

Here's how technical services librarians use oclc:
  • Managed CAP Unit; supervised staff members; formulated budget; supervised cataloging of items added to collection via OCLC system.
  • Utilized Lexis/Nexis, Dialog, OCLC, the Internet, and many other bibliographic databases.

10. Technical Manuals

Technical Manuals are informative pieces of writing, often including diagrams and images, which educate the person who is using it and assist them in learning how to control, build, fix, or otherwise handle the product or products which it speaks of. A technical manual is also known more commonly as a user manual and it typically comes with most products, especially items such as furniture, electronics, appliances, software, machinery, and even medication and medical devices.

Here's how technical services librarians use technical manuals:
  • Maintained files on Technical Manual Deficiency Reports and updated the Common Problem Reporting database.
  • Maintain and manages drawings, technical manuals in repair, overhaul, and modernization of commercial and naval vessels.

11. Library System

Here's how technical services librarians use library system:
  • Consolidated library records in a new integrated library system, necessitating re-cataloging thousands of records.
  • Follow established guidelines of library system.

12. Reference Services

A reference service іѕ an іntеgrаl раrt of any lіbrаrу, the аіm of whісh іѕ tо educate users on hоw tо uѕе reference mаtеrіаlѕ to hеlр thеm gеt factual іnfоrmаtіоn іn the best роѕѕіblе way аnd аt the right tіmе. Thе rеfеrrаl ѕеrvісе hаndlеѕ rеԛuеѕtѕ аnd аѕѕіѕtѕ uѕеrѕ fіnd, ассеѕѕ, аnd uѕе thе rеԛuіrеd information to mееt thеіr nееdѕ.

Here's how technical services librarians use reference services:
  • Provided reference service to all attorneys in the areas of Tax, Bankruptcy, Trusts & Estates and Securities.
  • Provided reference services in person, by phone, email, and online chat.

13. Cataloging

Here's how technical services librarians use cataloging:
  • Supervised several student assistants in special cataloging and indexing projects.
  • Perform data updates in cataloging, acquisitions and circulation modules.

14. CSS

Here's how technical services librarians use css:
  • Designed and created a new library website using the content management system WordPress via CSS and HTML encoding.

15. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how technical services librarians use dod:
  • Handled Classified Materials according to DOD directives.
top-skills

What skills help Technical Services Librarians find jobs?

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

What technical services librarian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kerol Harrod

Lecturer, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University, Texas Woman's University

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 technical skills for a technical services librarian 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.

List of technical services librarian skills to add to your resume

Technical services librarian skills

The most important skills for a technical services librarian resume and required skills for a technical services librarian to have include:

  • Library Services
  • Collection Development
  • Library Resources
  • Technical Service
  • Library Materials
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Serials
  • Electronic Resources
  • OCLC
  • Technical Manuals
  • Library System
  • Reference Services
  • Cataloging
  • CSS
  • DOD
  • Windows
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • HTML
  • Technical Publications
  • Libguides
  • Technical Library
  • RDA
  • Library Collection
  • Research Services
  • Library Website
  • Literature Searches
  • ILS
  • Technical Data
  • Research Assistance
  • Community Organizations
  • Library Policies
  • Library Patrons
  • Research
  • Marc
  • Library Equipment
  • Library Catalog
  • Technical Orders
  • Reference Desk
  • Public Library
  • Library Database
  • Front Desk
  • Teen
  • Student Assistants
  • Circulation Desk

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.

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