Library Assistant job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

16

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 1-2 of 5

very little to some preparation

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS 2025–35

Median pay

$36,910

BLS May 2025

Data Government data groups this job as Library Assistants, Clerical (O*NET-SOC 43-4121.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas. importance 4.3 of 5
2. Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment. importance 4.3 of 5
3. Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures. importance 4.3 of 5
4. Enter and update patrons' records on computers. importance 4.3 of 5
5. Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians. importance 4.2 of 5
6. Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items. importance 4.2 of 5
7. Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans. importance 4.1 of 5
8. Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems. importance 4.1 of 5
9. Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines. importance 4.1 of 5
10. Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used. importance 4.0 of 5
11. Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material. importance 4.0 of 5
12. Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials. importance 4.0 of 5
13. Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software. importance 3.9 of 5
14. Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials. importance 3.8 of 5
15. Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers. importance 3.8 of 5
16. Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books. importance 3.8 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Working with Computers, Getting Information, Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates and Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.

Also part of the job

Supplemental tasks O*NET lists for this occupation: less central than the core duties above, and not done in every job.

• Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.
• Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors.
• Plan or participate in library events and programs, such as story time with children.
• Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash.
• Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.
• Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues.

Knowledge areas: Customer and Personal Service, Administrative, English Language and Education and Training.

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, C++, Microsoft Access. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Education: BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education.
• Experience: BLS lists no work experience in a related occupation as typical to enter.
• Training on the job: BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical once hired.
• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 1-2 of 5 (very little to some preparation). Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board.

The most common answer among library assistants surveyed by O*NET is a high school diploma or equivalent (50%).

Job title: Library Assistant
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring a Library Assistant to compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

What you will do
- 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 we are looking for
- [Education: BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as typical for this occupation; set the level this role truly needs]
- [Experience: BLS lists no related work experience as typical to enter; set what this role needs]
- Strength in service orientation, reading comprehension and active listening
- Working knowledge of Customer and Personal Service and Administrative
- [Software your team uses, e.g. Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Office software]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

The median annual wage was $36,910 in May 2025. The median hourly wage was $17.74. BLS estimates about 85,520 jobs in this occupation in the U.S.

BLS projects employment of library assistants to decline 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 12,300 openings a year over that period, including openings to replace workers who leave.

See the full library assistant salary breakdown by percentile, state and metro.

• Read a real library assistant posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Sort books, publications, and other items according to established…”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only library assistant work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (service orientation and reading comprehension); library assistant interview questions turns them into practice questions.