Profession library assistant

Library assistants assist the librarian in the day-to-day activities of the library. They help clients find the materials they need, check out library materials and restock the shelves. 

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Personality Type

  • Conventional / Social
  • Conventional / Realistic

Knowledge

  • Copyright legislation

    Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

Skills

  • Manage library users queries

    Search library databases and standard reference materials, including online sources, to help users should they have questions.

  • Analyse library users' queries

    Analyse library users' requests to determine extra information; assist in furnishing and locating that information.

  • Classify library materials

    Classify, code and catalogue books, publications, audio-visual documents and other library materials based on subject matter or library classification standards.

  • Maintain library equipment

    Maintaining, cleaning and repairing of library resources, equipment and facilities, such as dusting or fixing printer paper jams.

  • Provide library information

    Explain the use of library services, resources and equipment; provide information about library customs.

  • Organise library material

    Organise collections of books, publications, documents, audio-visual material and other reference materials for convenient access.

  • Organise information

    Arrange information according to a specified set of rules. Catalogue and classify information based on the characteristics of that information.

  • Display library material

    Assemble, sort and arrange library materials for display.

  • Assess informational needs

    Communicate with clients or users in order to identify which information they require and the methods with which they can access it.

  • Instruct library users

    Teach library visitors basic computer skills, such as searching digital databases.

  • Maintain library inventory

    Keep accurate records of circulation of materials, maintain an up-to-date inventory, and correct possible cataloguing errors.

Optional knowledge and skills

evaluate library materials apply for library funding collection management create semantic trees confer with library colleagues develop solutions to information issues manage digital libraries use software for data preservation literature compile library lists digitise documents develop classification systems assist in library facility planning buy new library items

Common job titles

  • Library assistant
  • Library assistant iv
  • Library assistant-acquisitions
  • Library assistant- 171061
  • Library assistant p/t
  • Library assistant
  • Library assistant i
  • Library assistant iii