Library technicians and assistants help librarians with all aspects of running a library. They assist patrons, organize library materials and information, and do clerical and administrative tasks.
Library technicians and assistants typically do the following:
A librarian usually supervises library technicians and assistants. Both technicians and assistants help patrons find information and organize library materials. However, library technicians typically have more responsibilities than library assistants.
Library technicians and assistants in small libraries have a broad range of duties. In large libraries, they tend to specialize in a particular area, such as user services or technical services. Those specializing in user services assist library patrons with locating resources and information. Those specializing in technical services research, acquire, catalog, and process materials to be added to the library’s collections.
The following are examples of types of library technicians and assistants:
Academic library technicians and assistants help students, faculties, and staff in colleges and universities access resources and information related to coursework or research projects. Some teach students how to access and use library resources. They may work at service desks for reserve materials, special collections, or computer labs.
Public library technicians and assistants work in community libraries to serve members of the public. They help patrons find books to read for pleasure, assist patrons with their research, or teach patrons how to access the library’s resources. Some technicians in public libraries may help plan programs for users, such as story time for children or book clubs for teens or adults.
School library technicians and assistants show students how to find and use library resources, maintain textbook collections, and help teachers develop curriculum materials.
Special library technicians and assistants work in settings other than school or public libraries, including government agencies, corporations, museums, law firms, and medical centers. They assist users, search library resources, compile bibliographies, and provide information on subjects of interest to the organization.
Library assistants, clerical held about 82,500 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of library assistants, clerical were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 63% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 12 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 11 |
| Other information services | 9 |
Library technicians held about 78,200 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of library technicians were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 52% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 19 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 16 |
| Junior colleges; state, local, and private | 3 |
Library technicians and assistants generally work indoors. They spend much of their time at public service desks or at computer terminals. They may spend time in the library stacks reshelving books, a task that may require bending or stretching to reach the shelves.
Many library technicians and assistants work part time. Library technicians and assistants in school libraries work during school hours. Those in public or college libraries may work weekends, evenings, and some holidays. In special libraries, technicians and assistants typically work during normal business hours but may have to work evenings and weekends.
Library technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate. Library assistants typically need a high school diploma or its equivalent, combined with short-term on-the-job training.
Library technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate in library technology, which may include coursework in acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, reference, and automated library systems. The American Library Association has information about certificate programs available by state.
Most library assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Library assistants usually receive short-term on-the-job training to learn about libraries and library resources.
Communication skills. Library technicians and assistants must be able to answer patrons’ questions clearly and explain use of library resources.
Detail oriented. Library technicians and assistants must pay close attention to ensure that library materials and information are organized correctly and according to the library’s organizational system.
Interpersonal skills. Library technicians and assistants need to work with library patrons, librarians, teachers, or researchers.
Listening skills. Library technicians and assistants need to listen to patrons to help them with research topics or with finding materials.
Library technicians and assistants may advance to become supervisors and oversee daily library operations. To become a librarian, technicians and assistants need to earn a master’s degree in library science.
Median hourly wages, May 2021
The median hourly wage for library assistants, clerical was $14.16 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.71, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $22.60.
The median hourly wage for library technicians was $17.78 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.24, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $28.49.
In May 2021, the median hourly wages for library assistants, clerical in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | $17.92 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 14.27 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 13.97 |
| Other information services | 13.92 |
In May 2021, the median hourly wages for library technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | $18.54 |
| Junior colleges; state, local, and private | 18.22 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 17.78 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 17.58 |
Many library technicians and assistants work part time. Library technicians and assistants in school libraries work during regular school hours. Those in public or college libraries may work weekends, evenings, and some holidays. In corporate libraries, library technicians and assistants work normal business hours but may have to work evenings and weekends.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Overall employment of library technicians and assistants is projected to decline 4 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Despite declining employment, about 24,000 openings for library technicians and assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Library use has decreased despite community efforts to rebrand libraries for a variety of services and activities. This decrease in use reduces the need for library workers to help patrons find information and to operate libraries. Additionally, budget constraints may limit the number of library technicians and assistants in local government and education services.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Library technicians and assistants |
— | 160,700 | 154,300 | -4 | -6,400 | — | |
Library technicians |
25-4031 | 78,200 | 74,900 | -4 | -3,300 | Get data | |
Library assistants, clerical |
43-4121 | 82,500 | 79,500 | -4 | -3,100 | Get data | |
For more information about library technicians and assistants careers, visit
For information about medical libraries, visit
For information about law libraries, visit
American Association of Law Libraries
For information about many different types of special libraries, visit
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Library assistants, clerical (PDF)
Library technicians (PDF)