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Occupation 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. Include 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.

View career video with one of the following: Additional videos and more information available on CareerOneStop.

State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2008
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$8.23	$10.55	$13.86	$17.77	$22.01
	Yearly	$17,100	$21,900	$28,800	$37,000	$45,800
Illinois	Hourly	$7.99	$9.73	$13.04	$16.53	$20.32
	Yearly	$16,600	$20,200	$27,100	$34,400	$42,300

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Illinois Wage Information

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Economic Information and Analysis Division

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Library Technicians.

Knowledge:

• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Skills:

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Abilities:

• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Library Technicians.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Library Technicians.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.
• Catalogue and sort books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure, and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Check for damaged library materials such as books, or audiovisual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs.
• Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.
• Collaborate with archivists to arrange for the safe storage of historical records and documents.
• Collect fines, and respond to complaints about fines.
• Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.
• Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.
• Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.
• Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.
• Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.
• Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
• Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.
• Design, customize, and maintain databases, web pages, and local area networks.
• Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
• File catalog cards according to system used.
• Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audiovisual equipment, computers and other electronic resources, and provide technical assistance when needed.
• Issue identification cards to borrowers.
• Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment including computers, photocopiers, and audiovisual equipment.
• Operate and maintain audiovisual equipment such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders.
• Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.
• Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.
• Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs such as library tours.
• Prepare volumes for binding.
• Process interlibrary loans for patrons.
• Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
• Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
• Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
• Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.
• 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.
• Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
• Train other staff, volunteers or student assistants, and schedule and supervise their work.
• Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

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

Source: Occupational Information Network: Library Technicians.

Tools and Technology

Library Technicians  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Bar code reader equipment - Barcode scanners
• Cargo trucks - Bookmobiles
• Cash registers - Cash registers
• Desktop computers - Desktop computers
• Microfiche or microfilm viewers - Microfiche readers, Microfilm readers

Technology:

• Data base user interface and query software - Database software, Ex Libris Group Aleph, FileMaker Pro software, Inmagic TextWorks, Microsoft Access
• Library software - Dynix Digital Library, Ex Libris Group Voyager, Innovative Interfaces Millennium, National Library of Medicine DOCLINE, Online Computer Library Center OCLC
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - HandyFile Find and Replace Text Aid Kit, Microsoft Word

Source: Occupational Information Network: Library Technicians.

Education and Training

Occupation: Library Technicians
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Postsecondary vocational award
Related Instructional Programs: Library Assistant/Technician

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://iwds.state.il.us/

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

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Web Resources

Librarians, Curators, and Archivists
Other Education, Training, and Library Occupations
Other Teachers and Instructors
Postsecondary Teachers
Primary, Secondary, and Special Education School Teachers

• Archivist, Society of American Archivists
• Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Curator, Princeton Review
• Librarian, Princeton Review
• Librarians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Librarians, California Occupational Guide
• Library Assistants, California Occupational Guide
• Library Assistants, Clerical, CareerZone
• Library Technicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Library Technicians, CareerZone
• Medical Librarian, Medical Library Association
• Museum Technicians and Conservators, Learn More Resource Center

• Agricultural Extension Agent, Future Farmers of America
• Agricultural Extension Specialist, Future Farmers of America
• Educational Diagnostician, The Council for Exceptional Children
• Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants, Job Futures
• Media Specialist, Princeton Review
• Paraeducators, The Council for Exceptional Children
• Special Education Technology Specialist, The Council for Exceptional Children
• Teacher Assistants, California Occupational Guide
• Teacher Assistants, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Teacher Assistants, CareerZone

• Instructional Coordinators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Instructional Coordinators, Learn More Resource Center
• Rehabilitation Teacher, Rehabilitation Teaching Recruitment Committee
• Teacher, Princeton Review
• Teachers, Trade and Technical, California Occupational Guide
• Teachers-Adult Literacy and Remedial and Self-Enrichment Education, Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Community College Instructors, California Occupational Guide
• Philosopher, Princeton Review
• Professor, Princeton Review
• Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), California Occupational Guide
• Teachers-Postsecondary, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• University Professors, Job Futures

• Adapted Physical Education Teacher, The Council for Exceptional Children
• Childcare Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Early Childhood Special Educator, The Council for Exceptional Children
• Education, WetFeet.com
• Elementary School Teacher, California Occupational Guide
• Instructors and Teachers of Persons with Disabilities, Job Futures
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education, California Occupational Guide
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education, Learn More Resource Center
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education, CareerZone
• Special Education Teachers, Elementary School, California Occupational Guide
• Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School, CareerZone
• Teachers, Secondary School, California Occupational Guide
• Teachers-Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Teachers-Special Education, Occupational Outlook Handbook