Library technicians and assistants essential career information:
- 2012 median pay: $30,660
- 2012, number of jobs: 100,230
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 10 percent
- Entry level education requirements: Varies
Library technicians and assistants; what they do:
People who have a love of books as well as excellent communication, troubleshooting, organizational, technological and people skills may be interested in a library technician career or a library assistant career.
Library technicians and assistants work with librarians to help them do their job more efficiently. They help patrons locate different forms of reference materials, library catalogues, audiovisual equipment, and other library resources.
Library technicians and library assistants do a multitude of tasks including, but not limited to, renewing and circulating books, organizing and processing library materials, distributing library cards, and assisting in special projects. However, library technicians have more areas of responsibility than library assistants.
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Library technicians and assistants job titles:
- Braille-and-talking Books Clerks
- Bookmobile Library Technicians
- Bookmobile Library Assistants
- Library Associate
- Library Specialist
- Assistant Librarian
- Library Clerk
- Library Technical Assistant
- Acquisitions Technician
Library Technicians and Assistants Education, Certification and License Requirements
Library technicians and assistants have different levels of education ranging from college degrees to high school diplomas. Most institutions prefer some kind of a post-secondary certification and even certain teaching requirements, especially if a candidate is applying for a position such as a school library technician.
Some schools provide an Associate degree in Library Technology, an Associate in Library Technician degree or a library technician certificate. However, smaller libraries may hire someone, such as a school library assistant, with only a high school education.
Library technicians and assistants programs cover subjects such as:
- Foundation of libraries and information services
- Technical services and collection management
- Multi-media for libraries
- Introduction to public services
- Library information systems
- Archival management
- Computer maintenance and security for libraries
- Internship in media services
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Career Advancement Opportunities
Additional responsibilities and experience in different sections of the library can advance library technician and assistant levels to supervisory positions. However, if technicians desire to become librarians, they will need to complete a master’s degree in library science.
Library Technicians and Assistants Job Outlook
Forecast: 9 percent employment growth for library technicians and a 9 percent employment growth for library assistants from 2010 to 2020. Government and educational budgetary restrictions have encouraged cost cutting through replacing librarians with library technicians and library assistants. The use of electronic databases and systems has made it easy for library technicians and assistants to perform tasks typically given to librarians.
Library Technicians and Assistants Salary
- 2012 median annual wage: $30,660
- 2012, workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $69,490
- 2012, workers at the 25th percentile annual wage: $43,720
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Library Technicians and Assistants Major Employers
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Junior colleges, state, local and private
- Local government institutions
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
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