Library Technicians
What Library Technicians Do
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.
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Self-employed
- Not available
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
How Much Preparation Does This Take?
Job Zone 3 of 5Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Job training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Source: O*NET Job Zones.
Key Knowledge Areas
Subject-matter areas this occupation draws on most, per O*NET.
- Customer and Personal Serviceimportance 4.1/5
- English Languageimportance 3.8/5
- Administrativeimportance 3.4/5
- Computers and Electronicsimportance 3.3/5
- Education and Trainingimportance 3.2/5
- Communications and Mediaimportance 2.8/5
- Psychologyimportance 2.6/5
- Mathematicsimportance 2.6/5
Work Environment
What the day-to-day work setting is like, per O*NET.
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.9/5
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.8/5
- E-Mail4.7/5
- Telephone Conversations4.4/5
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals4.3/5
- Freedom to Make Decisions4.2/5
Careers With Similar Skills
Occupations whose Transferable Skills profile most closely matches this one — a mathematical comparison, not observed data about people actually moving between these careers.
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants95% skill match
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks94% skill match
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping94% skill match
- Cashiers94% skill match
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive94% skill match
- Recreation Workers94% skill match
- Library Assistants, Clerical94% skill match
- Office Clerks, General93% skill match
Transferable Skills
Cross-functional skills this occupation draws on most, per O*NET — the kind that carry over to other careers.
- Service Orientationimportance 3.1/5
- Social Perceptivenessimportance 3.0/5
- Coordinationimportance 3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 2.9/5
- Time Managementimportance 2.8/5
- Management of Personnel Resourcesimportance 2.8/5
- Instructingimportance 2.6/5
- Complex Problem Solvingimportance 2.5/5
Software & Technologies
Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.
Hot Technologies
Other Software Used
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Database software
- Dynix Digital Library
- Email software
- Ex Libris Group Aleph
- Ex Libris Group Voyager
- FileMaker Pro
- HandyFile Find and Replace Text Aid Kit
Work Style
Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.
- Cooperation
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Social Orientation
- Integrity
- Empathy
- Sincerity
Career Interests
This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.
- ConventionalHigh
- SocialMedium
- RealisticMedium
- InvestigativeLow
- EnterprisingLow
- ArtisticLow
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where library technicians make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1Lexington Park, MD5.05× national avg
- 2Champaign-Urbana, IL4.04× national avg
- 3State College, PA3.80× national avg
- 4Medford, OR3.73× national avg
- 5Columbia, MO3.59× national avg
Possible Career Moves
A computed starting point, not observed job-change data — see the full list for why each one might fit.
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and ExecutiveCareer Change
- Office Clerks, GeneralCareer Change
- Library Assistants, ClericalCareer Change
- Fire Inspectors and InvestigatorsCareer Change
Related Education Programs
Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.