Library Technicians

Career Description: Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books; remove or repair damaged books; register patrons; check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who operate bookmobiles or light trucks that pull trailers to specific locations on a predetermined schedule and assist with providing services in mobile libraries.

Industry: Education, Training, and Library

Other Job Titles for Library Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
• Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
• Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
• Answer routine reference inquiries, and refer patrons needing further assistance to librarians.
• Guide patrons in finding and using library resources, including reference materials, audiovisual equipment, computers, and electronic resources.
• Train other staff, volunteers or student assistants, and schedule and supervise their work.
• Sort books, publications, and other items according to procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.
• Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
• Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
• Process interlibrary loans for patrons.
• Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
• Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.
• Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.
• Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.
• Collect fines, and respond to complaints about fines.
• Issue identification cards to borrowers.
• Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.
• Review subject matter of materials to be classified, and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.
• Send out notices about lost or overdue books.
• Prepare order slips for materials to be acquired, checking prices and figuring costs.
• Design, customize, and maintain databases, web pages, and local area networks.
• Operate and maintain audiovisual equipment such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders.
• File catalog cards according to system used.
• Prepare volumes for binding.
• Conduct children's programs and other specialized programs such as library tours.
• Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.
• Repair damaged books.
• Collaborate with archivists to arrange for the safe storage of historical records and documents.
• Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.
• Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.
• Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities, to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Perform administrative duties such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
• Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required.
• Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
• Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
• Write instructional articles on designated subjects.

Emerging Tasks

• Answer routine reference inquiries, made in person or by telephone, and refer patrons needing further assistance to librarians.
• Catalogue and sort books and other print and nonprint materials according to procedure, and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Check for damaged library materials (e.g. books, audiovisual equipment) and provide replacements or make repairs.
• Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.
• Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.
• Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audiovisual equipment, computers and other electronic resources, and provide technical assistance when needed.
• Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audiovisual equipment.
• Order all print and nonprint material for library, prepare order slips, check prices, figure costs, and make invoice payments.
• Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs (e.g., library tours).
• Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
• Review and evaluate materials using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audiovisual, and electronic resources.
• Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as how to search for information using computerized databases.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• answer customer or public inquiries
• assist patrons in finding materials
• collect fees
• compile bibliographies of specialized materials
• conduct training for personnel
• design decorative displays
• design library displays
• develop or maintain databases
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• drive automobile, van, or light truck
• examine documents for completeness, accuracy, or conformance to standards
• index information resources
• maintain records, reports, or files
• operate audio-visual equipment
• order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
• organize reference materials
• resolve customer or public complaints
• sort books, publications, or other items
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use relational database software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work with public in selecting books or materials
• work with public in using reference tools or finding materials
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• organize reference materials
• provide information about facilities
• resolve customer or public complaints
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use knowledge of multi-media technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work with public in selecting books or materials
• work with public in using reference tools or finding materials
• write research or project grant proposals
• use motivational techniques in education
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use teaching techniques
• write research or project grant proposals
• write technical health or medical documents

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$13.31
• Average annual wage (2007) - $27,680.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 8.48%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 10,278
• Employment (2006): 121,256

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