Library Assistant Job Description

Today, most of the books are available online and we have online libraries as well; hence, the traditional method of borrowing and reading books from the libraries is not much in trend these days. Most of the people read books of any language and any type with a simple search in these online libraries. However, there are some people who love to read books which are available in the printed format. For people who are fond of reading books in the printed format do not get the same satisfaction and visual pleasure from the online books as they get from the printed books. Searching and reading books online is easier; just enter the name of the book and click 'search' in any search bar. You will get the book you are looking for at your sight. But when you visit a library to find the same book, you may spend hours sorting the piles of books in the library. To reduce your time, effort and inconvenience finding a book in the library, big libraries and even smaller ones employ library assistants or library technicians. He is the one who is responsible for organization of information in library. If you want to know more about a library assistant job description, read below.

For resume help, see our Library Assistant Resume

Duties and Responsibilities of Library Assistants

Sort and stack books depending upon their publication, authors, type and various other attributes and maintain a record of the same in computerized database for easy access
Maintain membership log book in the library and collect details from the patrons such as name, address, phone number, age, etc., and issue I-cards to them
Record details of books borrowed and returned by the members and call them in case books are not returned on time
Collect membership fees and issue cards for the members and renew their membership periodically
Place purchase order for new books knowing the demand of the patrons for the books and make those books available for them
Update computerized records with new books and maintain a centrally accessible database
Issue advertisement in news papers to boost up memberships and plan attractive offers for the members
Ensure members maintain discipline within the library and abide all the rules stated by the library

Skills Necessary for Library Assistants

Good management skills and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate properly with the patrons, co-workers and the managers of the library
Should be proficient in handling commonly used computer software such as MS Excel documents and the software used for library management
High level of organizational skills and ability to access necessary information within seconds
Attention towards detail and ability to identify necessary requirements of the patrons in the library
Effective team working skills and ability to guide and train the new employees in the library
Ability to plan attractive offers and following proper beneficial tactics

Educational Qualifications Required for Library Assistants

Most of the library assistants start working by handling small duties such as shelving, dusting and following few clerical duties in the library. There is no specific training or educational requirement for library assistants; they are provided on-job training. However, library assistants should have good verbal and written communication skills.

Salaries Offered to Library Assistants

Library assistants are paid up to $11.5 hourly. They can earn more if they are skilled and are working in big public libraries.

Library assistants can work in public as well as private libraries. These type of jobs are most of the times part-time jobs so even school and college students can look for this job. After getting experience of respectable number of years, library assistants can work as head of circulation or circulation managers. Hope this library assistant job description gave you a clear idea of the duties of a library assistant.