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What They Do
About This Career
Assists 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. Compiles records; sorts and shelves books or other media; removes or repairs damaged books or other media; registers patrons; and checks materials in and out of the circulation process. Replaces materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.
This career is part of the Education and Training cluster Professional Support Services pathway.
A person in this career:
- Reserves, circulates, renews, and discharges books and other materials.
- Answers routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.
- Helps patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audio-visual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources and provide technical assistance when needed.
- Delivers and retrieves items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
- Processes print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
- Catalogues and sorts books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure and returns them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
- Enters and updates patrons' records on computers.
- Provides assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
- Compiles and maintains records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.
- Takes actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
People who do this job report that:
- You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
- Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
- Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
Working in this career involves (physical activities):
- Seeing clearly at a distance
- Seeing clearly up close
- Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
- Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
Work Hours and Travel
- Irregular hours
- Weekend work
Specialty and Similar Careers
Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:
- Circulation Clerk — Organizes library materials that are checked in from patrons and delivered from vendors.
- Library Aide
- Library Assistant
- Library Associate
- Library Clerk
- Library Media Technician
- Library Specialist
- Library Technical Assistant (LTA)
- Page Technician
Every year the U.S. Department of Labor conducts national surveys of wage data by occupation in every state and in all industry divisions. These surveys are conducted through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program.
The statistics collected for one year are published the next fall. For example, 2013 wage information was published in the fall of 2014.
There are over 800 occupations in the surveys, and these occupations cover the entire U.S. labor market. The surveys ask for reports in a scale of ranges for both hourly wages and annual wages.
In many cases, these occupations are broad enough to cover many more detailed specialties of an occupation. A specific occupation may be included in a broader occupational category for which labor market data is available. When you look at the statistics for a broad category, be aware that the salary data for a specific career may differ.
For more details about how wage information is collected and calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor, visit their website at http://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm.
Every year the U.S. Department of Labor conducts a national survey of over 400,000
employers in every state and in all industry divisions. This survey is conducted
through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Every other year the
department publishes outlook information based on these surveys.
Each outlook period covers 10 years. For example, in 2003 the outlook information
was published for 2004-2014. Employers are asked to report the number of employees
in about 770 different occupations that cover the entire U.S. labor market.
From this information, staffing patterns for different industries are established.
Industry growth is projected into the future based on past trends and current economic
conditions. Industry staffing patterns are then applied to the industry projections
to obtain occupational projections.
In many cases, these occupations are broad enough to cover many more detailed specialties
of an occupation. A specific occupation may be included in a broader occupational
category for which labor market data is available. When you look at the statistics
for a broad category, be aware that the employment data for a specific field may
differ.
For more details about how employment information is collected and calculated by
the U.S. Department of Labor, visit their website at http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.tn.htm.
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