Job Outlook for:
Library Technicians and Assistants
SOC: 43-4121 OOH: U140
| Library Technicians and Assistants Quick Stats |
|
| Total Jobs in 2016 | 203,500 |
| Expected Growth | 9% (As fast as average) |
| New Jobs To Be Added from 2016 to 2026 |
18,800 |
| Median Pay | $25,000 to $34,999 |
- Job Outlook for Library Technicians and Assistants
- Pay for Library Technicians and Assistants
- What do Library Technicians and Assistants do all day
- The work environment
- How to become one
Employment Outlook for Library Technicians and Assistants
Overall employment of library technicians and assistants is projected to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Communities are increasingly turning to libraries for a variety of services and activities. Therefore, there will be a continuous need for library technicians and assistants to help patrons find information and operate the libraries on a day-to-day basis. Parents value the learning opportunities that libraries present for children because libraries are able to provide children with information they often cannot access from home. In addition, the increased availability of electronic information is also expected to increase the demand for research and special libraries, where patrons will need help sorting through the large amount of digital information.
However, budget constraints may limit the growth of library technicians and assistants in local government and education services.
Job Prospects
Candidates who can adapt to rapidly changing technology will have better prospects as a library technician or assistant.
Typical Pay for Library Technicians and Assistants
The median hourly wage for library assistants, clerical was $12.12 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.76, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $19.49.
The median hourly wage for library technicians was $15.81 in May 2016. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.46, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.43.
In May 2016, the median hourly wages for library assistants, clerical in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | $13.86 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 13.12 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 11.79 |
| Other information services | 10.64 |
In May 2016, the median hourly wages for library technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | $18.68 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 15.66 |
| Other information services | 15.26 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 14.71 |
About 2 out of 3 library technicians worked part time in 2016, and about one half of library assistants worked part time in 2016. Library technicians and assistants in school libraries work during regular school hours. Those in public or college libraries often work weekends, evenings, and some holidays. In corporate libraries, library technicians and assistants work normal business hours but may be asked to work overtime.
What Library Technicians and Assistants Do All Day
Library technicians and assistants help librarians with all aspects of running a library. They assist patrons, organize library materials and information, and perform clerical and administrative tasks.
Duties
Library technicians and assistants typically do the following:
- Loan library materials to patrons and collect returned materials
- Sort and reshelve returned books, periodicals, and other materials
- Catalogue and maintain library materials
- Handle interlibrary loans
- Register new patrons and issue library cards
- Answer routine reference questions from patrons
- Teach patrons how to use library resources
- Maintain computer databases used to locate library materials
- Perform routine clerical tasks such as answering phones and organizing files
- Help plan and participate in special programs, such as used-book sales, story times, or outreach programs
A librarian usually supervises library technicians and assistants. Library technicians and assistants usually help patrons find information and organize library materials. However, library technicians typically have more responsibilities than library assistants, such as administering library programs and overseeing lower level staff.
Library technicians and assistants in smaller libraries have a broader range of duties. In larger libraries, they tend to specialize in a particular area, such as user services or technical services. Technicians and assistants specializing in user services assist library patrons with locating resources and information. Those specializing in technical services research, acquire, catalog, and process materials to be added to the library’s collections.
The following are examples of types of library technicians and assistants:
Academic library technicians and assistants help students, faculties, and staff in colleges and universities access resources and information related to coursework or research projects. Some teach students how to access and use library resources. They may work at service desks for reserve materials, special collections, or computer labs.
Public library technicians and assistants work in community libraries to serve members of the public. They help patrons find books to read for pleasure, assist patrons with their research, or teach patrons how to access the library’s resources. Some technicians in public libraries may help plan programs for users, such as story time for children, book clubs for teens or adults, or other educational or recreational activities.
School library technicians and assistants show students how to find and use library resources, maintain textbook collections, and help teachers develop curriculum materials.
Special library technicians and assistants work in libraries in government agencies, corporations, museums, law firms, and medical centers. They assist users, search library resources, compile bibliographies, and provide information on subjects of interest to the organization.
Work Environment for Library Technicians and Assistants
Library assistants, clerical held about 104,300 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of library assistants, clerical were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 59% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 15 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 12 |
| Other information services | 8 |
Library technicians held about 99,200 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of library technicians were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 53% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 17 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 16 |
| Other information services | 6 |
Library technicians and assistants generally work indoors. They spend much of their time at public service desks or at computer terminals. Some spend time in the library stacks reshelving books, a task that may require bending or stretching to reach the shelves.
Work Schedules
About 2 out of 3 library technicians worked part time in 2016, and about one half of library assistants worked part time in 2016.
Library technicians and assistants in school libraries work during regular school hours. Those in public or college libraries often work weekends, evenings, and some holidays. In corporate libraries, library technicians and assistants work normal business hours but may be asked to work overtime.
How To Become a Library Technician or Assistant
Library technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate. A high school degree combined with short-term on-the-job training is typically required to become a library assistant.
Education
Most libraries prefer to hire library technicians who have a postsecondary certificate. Certificate programs in library technology include coursework in acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, reference, and automated library systems. The American Library Association has a list of certificate programs available by state.
Most library assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Training
Library assistants usually receive some short-term on-the-job training to learn about libraries and library resources.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Library technicians and assistants need to listen to and understand patrons’ needs, answer questions clearly, and teach patrons how to use library resources.
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. Cataloging and processing library materials also requires attention to detail.
Interpersonal skills. Library technicians and assistants provide customer service to library patrons and work with librarians, teachers, or researchers.
Technology skills. Library technicians and assistants use computers to help patrons research topics. They also use technology to maintain the library’s database of collections.
Advancement
Library technicians and assistants can advance as they assume additional responsibilities in other areas of the library. Some may become supervisors and oversee daily library operations. To become a librarian, technicians and assistants need to earn a master’s degree in library science.
"Library Technicians and Assistants" SOC: 43-4121 OOH Code: U140