What does a Library Assistant do?
Library assistants are usually the first point of contact for patrons visiting the library. Providing good customer service is a key part of the role. A library assistant assists librarians and library directors maintain the efficiency of the library by assisting with the clerical duties. These duties vary from receiving payments for fines, issuing library cards to updating existing registrations. Library assistants usually work at desks or computer terminals inside libraries in academic settings or a city's public library.
Most library assistants have a high school diploma or an equivalent. Library assistants who wish to eventually become librarians will need to receive both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in library science. Generally, successful librarian assistants possess exceptional interpersonal, verbal and communication skills.
- Assist library visitors in finding what they need, in print and online
- Checking materials in and out and catalog new items
- Accurately shelve books when patrons return them and help process new material
- Actively shelve returned items and arrange the repair of damaged materials
- Organize IT access and solving user problems
- Manage counter, phone, and email enquiries
- Ensure copyright license agreements are followed
- Shelving and maintaining the outreach collection
- Previous in a clerical experience a plus
- Basic computer literacy
- Outstanding organizational skills
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail and good problem-solving ability
- Great written and verbal communication
- Ability to push and pull objects weighing 60-80 pounds on wheels
- Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds or less
- Working knowledge of library methods and procedures
Library Assistant Salaries near United Kingdom
Average Base Pay
Library Assistant Career Path
Learn how to become a Library Assistant, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Library Assistant Insights
Duke University“The pay is abysmal for library assistants (it is better but not great for librarians and archivists).”
University of Portland“I enjoyed the people I worked with and everyone was really laid back most of the time.”
Texas A&M University“It was minimum wage so it didn't really pay for rent but it does pay for groceries and gas.”
VitalAire“Some managers give us terrible work and there is no proper guide line for exployee.”
Los Angeles County“I have met many great people that have worked in the library which made the job really enjoyable.”
Art Center College“This job could be a good fit for you if you enjoy working in a quiet environment.”
Worksmart Design“Working in such a great environment is just an added bonus to this great job.”
Utah Valley University“I was very stressed when I had this job because I was a student worker and I was taking classes at the same time.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Library Assistant
When working as a Library Assistant, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Teaching Experience, Interpersonal and Communication, Microsoft Office Software, Excellent Customer Service and Writing.
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The most common qualifications to become a Library Assistant is a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.
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I’ve been at my org 7yrs. There is a pattern of me inheriting the work of higher level fired employees without a raise. I’m in research w/ an Ops background. They fired our Ops Director ($140k) and gave me some of those duties but said I’m not eligible for a pay raise due to my “emotional intelligence” and that I need to produce more research for a raise. I make ~$80k. Ops is a mess, I have more experience in it than the Director did, and that lane of work is taking most of my time. Advice?