Library Assistants, Clerical: Job Description
Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
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What Tasks Do Library Assistants, Clerical Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of library assistants, clerical span:
- Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
- Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.
- Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
- Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
- Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
- Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.
- Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.
- Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.
What Library Assistants, Clerical Need to Know
Top library assistants, clerical draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Library Assistants, Clerical Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Access Services Assistant
- Acquisitions Assistant
- Administrative Library Assistant
- Book Sorter
- Bookmobile Driver
- Braille and Talking Books Clerk
- Catalog Library Assistant
- Cataloging Assistant
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 1,826,864 library assistants, clerical working in the United States today. Employment is projected to decline by -2.8% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Library Assistants, Clerical Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $26,509 |
| Hourly median | $12.75 |
| 10th percentile | $20,000 |
| 25th percentile | $22,127 |
| 75th percentile | $30,892 |
| 90th percentile | $35,274 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Library Assistants, Clerical Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $52,890 |
| California | $47,030 |
| Alaska | $46,470 |
| Washington | $45,980 |
| Nevada | $45,260 |
| Oregon | $40,090 |
| Massachusetts | $40,030 |
| Maryland | $39,910 |
| Wisconsin | $38,170 |
| New Jersey | $37,980 |
| Maine | $37,230 |
| Virginia | $37,120 |
| Arizona | $37,040 |
| New Hampshire | $37,010 |
| Minnesota | $37,010 |
| Connecticut | $36,900 |
| Wyoming | $36,210 |
| New York | $36,180 |
| Vermont | $36,040 |
| Delaware | $36,010 |
| Hawaii | $35,340 |
| Colorado | $35,090 |
| Rhode Island | $35,080 |
| Florida | $34,820 |
| Georgia | $33,890 |
| Michigan | $33,530 |
| Utah | $33,450 |
| New Mexico | $33,180 |
| Tennessee | $32,740 |
| Illinois | $32,360 |
| Montana | $32,270 |
| North Carolina | $32,260 |
| South Carolina | $31,740 |
| Ohio | $31,350 |
| Idaho | $30,200 |
| Oklahoma | $30,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,020 |
| Kansas | $29,840 |
| Missouri | $29,570 |
| Arkansas | $28,920 |
| Indiana | $28,820 |
| Texas | $28,750 |
| Iowa | $28,700 |
| Louisiana | $28,520 |
| North Dakota | $28,100 |
| Alabama | $27,300 |
| Nebraska | $26,960 |
| West Virginia | $26,300 |
| Kentucky | $25,530 |
| Mississippi | $22,240 |
| Puerto Rico | $20,650 |
Where Library Assistants, Clerical Earn the Most
Earnings for library assistants, clerical vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $45,985 | 19.4% | 1.17 |
| New England | $38,035 | 8.4% | 1.85 |
| Middle Atlantic | $35,034 | 19.2% | 1.31 |
| Rocky Mountains | $32,944 | 3.2% | 1.12 |
| Great Lakes | $32,552 | 19.4% | 1.39 |
| Southeast | $32,326 | 15.2% | 0.69 |
| Southwest | $31,821 | 6.2% | 0.67 |
| Plains States | $31,475 | 8.9% | 1.42 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $62,430 | 1,670 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $60,740 | 860 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | CA | $53,040 | 80 |
| Visalia, CA | CA | $51,570 | 80 |
| Bellingham, WA | WA | $50,440 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $49,280 | 830 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $49,090 | 1,060 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | WA | $49,020 | 150 |
Which Industries Hire Library Assistants, Clerical
Most library assistants, clerical are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Services | 21,090 | $36,880 |
| Information | 7,760 | $33,900 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 160 | $37,490 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 130 | $31,480 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 120 | $58,390 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 110 | $45,020 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 80 | $45,920 |
Below are examples of industries where library assistants, clerical work:
Software Library Assistants, Clerical Use
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: C++ (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of library assistants, clerical is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Education and Training
Typical library assistants, clerical positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Management Analysts (Supplemental)
- Document Management Specialists (Primary-Short)
- Social Science Research Assistants (Supplemental)
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary (Supplemental)
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (Supplemental)
- Archivists (Supplemental)
- Curators (Supplemental)
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (Supplemental)
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 43-4121.00 (Library Assistants, Clerical).
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