Library Technicians

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 or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.

Tasks

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

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.
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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

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.
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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Work Activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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.
Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Work Context

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled: How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Electronic Mail: How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions: How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Telephone: How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Deal With External Customers: How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate: How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks: How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
Letters and Memos: How often does the job require written letters and memos?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions: How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls: How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Interests

Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Style

Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence: Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Analytical Thinking: Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Persistence: Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Innovation: Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Work Values

Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

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Office Clerks, General

Lay Titles

Accessioner

Acquisitions Technician

Audio-Visual Aide

Bibliographer

Book Shelver

Book Sorter

Bookmobile Driver

Catalog Librarian

Cataloging Technician

Circulation Technician

Classifier

Director of Audio Visual Aids

Information Services Assistant

Interlibrary Loan Assistant (ILL)

Librarian Assistant

Librarian Helper

Library Aide

Library Assistant

Library Associate

Library Clerk

Library Information Technian

Library Monitor

Library Page

Library Services Assistant

Library Specialist

Library Technical Assistant (LTA)

Library Technical Assistant, Cataloging (LTA, Cataloging)

Library Technical Assistant, Serials/Bindery (LTA, Serials/Bindery)

Library Technician

Media Center Assistant

Media Center Specialist

Patron Services Specialist

Stack Attendant

Stacker

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $14.74 hourly, $30,660 annual.

Employment (2008):: 100,230 employees