Library Assistants, Clerical: Career Overview
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?
Typical responsibilities of library assistants, clerical include:
- 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reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.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
Successful library assistants, clerical rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Access Services Assistant
- Acquisitions Assistant
- Administrative Library Assistant
- Book Sorter
- Bookmobile Driver
- Braille and Talking Books Clerk
- Catalog Library Assistant
- Cataloging Assistant
Employment and Demand
There are about 1,826,864 library assistants, clerical working in the United States today. Demand is forecast 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 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Library Assistants, Clerical Make in Different U.S. States?
| 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 differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| 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 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Library Assistants, Clerical
| 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
The bulk of 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 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field 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)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of library assistants, clerical tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How to Become Library Assistants, Clerical
Entry-level library assistants, clerical positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in 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)
References
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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