Posts Tagged ‘libraries’

How To Get A Job As A Library Assistant Or A Library Technician

If you love all types of literature, are detail-oriented, have good people skills, and enjoy working as part of a team, you may be interested in working as a Library Assistant of a Library Technician.

Both Library Assistants and Library Technicians work in public school libraries, businesses, and college and university libraries.  They usually work in relatively clean quiet surroundings, but there is considerable lifting, carrying, and bending involved in both jobs.  There are also long hours spent sitting.  Eye strain and back problems are not uncommon.  Both Library Assistants and Library Technicians may work full or part time.

Library Assistants have less responsibility than Technicians.  They need at least a high school diploma or GED.  Additional education, though not necessary, is an advantage.  High school subjects that are of use in this career are; English, math, foreign languages, history, geography, and science.  Any specialized knowledge is an asset.  Volunteer experience, within any library, is also an asset.  Computer skills are essential.  Most training of Library Assistants is done on the job.

Library Assistants work with all types of educational and entertaining materials such as books, magazines, newspapers, videos photographs, microfiche, DVDs and CDs.  They usually start off with jobs such as shelving of books, checking materials in and out of the library, answering general inquiries, ans assisting with events such as story time.  Duties will increase with experience.  In smaller libraries, Library Assistants may have greater responsibilities.

The need for Library Assistants continues to grow.  With additional training, Library Assistants can advance to become Library Technicians.

Library Technicians require at least a college certificate or even a college associates’ degree.  Employers prefer those with more education than just a high school diploma, although some Technicians may have started the job with only a  diploma.  For those who are serious about their career, it would be wise to get all the education you can.

College associates’ degrees that are useful should be career related.  A good choice would be a liberal arts degree which would include some training in cataloging and library systems.  Library Technicians must be familiar with databases, the automated library systems, used in modern libraries, and the proper care, storage, and repair of all materials.  Excellent computer skills are essential for this position.

The duties of Library Technicians include assisting the librarian as required, arranging and maintaining materials, hande loan requests from other libraries, helping users, cataloging and coding materials, and supervising support staff.  Library Technicians may also manage bookmobiles.

Many Library Technicians obtain further education, and advance to become librarians.