Immersed in the dusty stacks,
fingers running along book spines
in search of an elusive title,
a library technician spots their prey—
just the book they were looking for!
Library technicians and assistants
are on a quest to keep libraries up to date
and functional in our fast-paced,
information-driven world.
Library technicians
and clerical library assistants
help librarians with many
aspects of library operations.
They assist patrons,
organize library materials and resources,
and perform clerical and administrative tasks.
Academic library technicians and assistants
help students, faculty, and staff
in colleges and universities
access resources and information
related to their coursework and research.
Public library assistants work in
municipal libraries that serve their communities.
School library technicians
show students how to find and use resources,
maintain textbook collections,
and help develop curriculum materials.
There are also special libraries
held by government agencies, corporations,
museums, law firms, and medical centers,
which employ these workers.
Library technicians and assistants
typically work part time.
Though very similar to technicians’ work,
clerical library assistants focus more
on the administrative aspects
of library operations.
Most library technicians need to
earn a certificate in their field
or an associate’s degree.
Library assistants typically need
a high school diploma or equivalent,
and are usually trained on the job.