Library Technicians Career Profile

Picture this: You’re the bridge between vast collections of knowledge and the people seeking information. In a modern library filled with both traditional books and digital resources, you’re expertly navigating databases while helping students locate research materials and assisting patrons with technology.

Think about the last time you visited a library and seamlessly found exactly what you needed – behind that experience was likely a library technician ensuring resources were properly organized and accessible.

Library technicians are the operational backbone of libraries, combining technical expertise with customer service to maintain library systems and assist patrons. 

Total employment: 81,500 (2023)

Common Names for Library Technicians

• Circulation Clerk
• Library Aide
• Library Assistant
• Library Associate
• Library Clerk
• Library Media Technician
• Library Specialist
• Library Technical Assistant (LTA)
• Library Technician
• Page Technician

What Library Technicians Do

Library technicians support library operations through various technical and patron-facing responsibilities:

• Collection Management: Organize and maintain library materials including books, periodicals, and digital resources to ensure easy access and retrieval for library users.
• Circulation Services: Process checkouts, returns, and renewals of library materials while maintaining accurate records to track library resources and ensure proper material handling.
• Patron Assistance: Help library users locate materials, answer basic reference questions, and provide guidance on library services to enhance the user experience and promote library utilization.
• Database Maintenance: Enter and update records in library management systems to maintain accurate catalogs and inventory of materials for efficient library operations.
• Technical Processing: Prepare new materials for circulation by cataloging, labeling, and processing items according to library standards to ensure proper organization and accessibility.
• Resource Preservation: Monitor the condition of library materials, perform basic repairs, and identify items needing professional conservation to maintain the integrity of the collection.
• Administrative Support: Handle routine clerical tasks, generate reports, and assist with library programs to support daily operations and special initiatives.
•  Equipment Operation: Maintain and troubleshoot basic library equipment such as copiers, scanners, and public computers to ensure continuous service availability for patrons.