Library Technician
A Library Technician plays a crucial role in the daily operations of libraries, assisting librarians with various tasks that include purchasing materials, organizing resources, and directly helping patrons. They are responsible for maintaining library databases, reshelving books, issuing library cards, and may even organize community outreach programs or fundraising events. The specific duties of a library technician can vary significantly based on the size and type of library, with those in smaller libraries taking on a broader range of responsibilities compared to their counterparts in larger institutions who typically specialize in certain areas.
These professionals work in diverse environments, such as public, school, and specialty libraries, as well as in mobile services like bookmobiles that cater to those with limited access. Essential skills for a library technician include strong organizational abilities, good communication skills, and a passion for reading, which enhances their interaction with patrons and aids in book recommendations. While some positions may only require a high school diploma, many library technicians hold post-secondary certificates or degrees in library sciences. Overall, this career can be rewarding for those who enjoy contributing to their community and supporting individuals in their quest for information and resources.
Library Technician
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Education & Training
Interests: Reading, customer service, communicating with others, organizing information
Earnings (Yearly Median): $42,570 per year $20.46 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -6%
Entry-Level Education Post-secondary certificate
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Short-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Library technicians are responsible for the daily maintenance of a library. Their responsibilities include assisting librarians in purchasing materials for the library, reshelving books, creating displays, and assisting patrons. Technicians are also responsible for library organization, both physically and in the computer database, as well as issuing library cards to new patrons. Sometimes, library technicians plan community outreach programs or fundraising events, such as book sales.
The range of responsibilities assigned to a library technician depends on the type of library in which the technician works. Technicians in smaller libraries fulfill a wide variety of duties, while those in larger libraries tend to specialize in one area of work.
Work Environment. In addition to public libraries, library technicians may work in school libraries (elementary, secondary, or university), specialty libraries (legal or medical), or even bookmobiles with service to nursing homes and schools. Except for the latter, most library technicians work in a quiet, indoor environment.
Occupation Interest. An ideal library technician is extremely organized and physically fit enough to spend a lot of time shelving books. Technicians must also have good communication skills for working with patrons. A love of reading enhances a library technician’s ability to recommend books to patrons and select new books to purchase for the library’s collection.
Though most library technicians work for state and local governments and thereby serve all members of the local community, school library technicians, in particular, must be adept at meeting the needs of young students. For example, a familiarity with research practices or, for younger students, an understanding of childhood development and learning would be helpful on the job. Library technicians must also be well-versed in computer technology.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Library technicians in a small library will spend a large part of their day on the computer, maintaining the library database, helping patrons find books and information, shelving books, organizing library resources, and, perhaps, planning outreach programs. Small libraries often play a large role in their communities and may offer a number of after-school programs for children as well as higher-education classes for adults.
At larger libraries, library technicians are able to focus on a much smaller range of responsibilities. They might work in one particular area of the library, such as the archives, where they would be responsible for assisting librarians in organizing materials and answering questions about the library’s archival resources. Larger libraries also have the resources to provide a variety of specialized services; for example, technicians might assist patrons with visual impairment to find audiobooks or books written in Braille. The New York Public Library, which is one of the largest libraries in the country, provides a range of services for immigrants, those experiencing homeless, and the incarcerated. Technicians work with volunteers to organize and implement New York’s vast constellation of outreach programs.
Some library technicians work in specialty libraries for corporations, government agencies, law firms, or medical centers and hospitals. Library technicians at a law firm, for example, are expected to exhibit some level of expertise in that field.
Library technicians are often responsible for their library’s bookmobile programs. Bookmobiles travel to bring reading materials to patrons with mobility issues, such as the elderly, the ill, the incarcerated, and others who cannot travel to the library themselves.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Library technicians, who are often supervised by librarians, work at desks or in offices within a library. Their time is divided between working at a computer and the often physically demanding work of shelving and reshelving books.
Human Environment. Library technicians interact with patrons and students. If library technicians are working with young children in a school library, they will be more active participants in their environment and might even devise and lead fun activities and programs. Library technicians at a university library, on the other hand, would likely spend their time assisting college-aged students in conducting research. Library technicians also work with other libraries and library technicians to oversee interlibrary loans.
Technological Environment. It is important for library technicians to be trained in computer technologies. They are responsible for managing vast databases of information and, in some cases, helping patrons conduct research and perform other tasks on the computer. Library technicians should have basic knowledge of word processing programs and also be adept at Internet research.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Some small libraries will hire library technicians with only a high school diploma, but many require some form of higher education. Still, aspiring library technicians can study to improve their computer skills in high school, which will make it easier for them to learn on the job.
Postsecondary. Some library technicians hold an associate’s degree or a certificate. Students in library technician programs take courses in media technology, information research methods, cataloging, and management. Many community colleges offer both certificate programs and associate’s degrees in library sciences.
Related Occupations
− Health Information Technician
− Receptionist & Information Clerk
Bibliography
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, 25-4031 Library Technicians." Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes254031.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Library Technicians and Assistants." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/library-technicians-and-assistants.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.