Library Assistants, Clerical

Bookmark Print History Journal
x

Journal

    • Please sign in to view journal entries
x

Your Employment History in this Occupation

Please sign in to view Employment History
x
Rating
x

Please fill out the fields below to e-mail someone a link to this page

x
Please sign in to bookmark occupations

This occupation is part of the Office and Administrative Support cluster

About the Job

Compile records, 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.

It is also Called

  • Access Services Assistant
  • Acquisitions Assistant
  • Administrative Library Assistant
  • Assistant Librarian
  • Bibliographic Services Specialist
  • Book Sorter
  • Bookmobile Driver
  • Braille and Talking Books Clerk
  • Catalog Library Assistant
  • Cataloging Assistant

What They Do

  • Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.
  • Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audiovisual (AV) equipment.
  • Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
  • Answer routine inquiries, and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
  • Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned, and file catalog cards according to system used.
  • Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.
  • Process new materials including books, audiovisual materials, and computer software.
  • Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audiovisual and other materials.
  • Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons.
  • Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: CRS.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Conventional interests, but also prefer Realistic and Social environments.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Relationships, but also value Support and Achievement in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • 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.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Additional Resources


Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Wages

In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $31,410 with most people making between $19,580 and $45,540

Outlook

0.95%
avg. annual growth

During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 10,500 people in California. It is projected that there will be 11,500 employed in 2020.

This occupation will have about 100 openings due to growth and about 470 replacement openings for approximately 570 total annual openings.

Industries that Employ this Occupation

Similar Occupations


People who viewed this occupation also viewed:


California Career Resource Network