Library Assistants, Clerical
Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
Also known as: Access Services Assistant, Acquisitions Assistant, Administrative Library Assistant, Book Sorter, Bookmobile Driver, Braille and Talking Books Clerk, Catalog Library Assistant, Cataloging Assistant, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)
What You'd Do
- Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
- Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software.
- Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
- Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
- Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.
- Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines.
- Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
- Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used.
- Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials.
- Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons.
- Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials.
- Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books.
- Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers.
- Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers.
- Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests.
- Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts.
- Assist in the preparation of book displays.
- Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.
- Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.
- Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
Related Careers
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.