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Library Technicians

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
31 tasks17 core, 14 supplemental
Family
Education & LibraryOne of its 68 occupations
Code
25-4031.00SOC 2018: 25-4031

Read the 31 tasks Download this record as JSON

What the work is made of

17 core tasks and 14 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.

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Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all

  1. Task 1. Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.Core taskTask 1688Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  2. Task 2. Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.Core taskTask 18511Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  3. Task 3. Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audio-visual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources and provide technical assistance when needed.Core taskTask 18510Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  4. Task 4. Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.Core taskTask 1696Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  5. Task 5. Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.Core taskTask 1699Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  6. Task 6. 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.Core taskTask 18512Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  7. Task 7. Enter and update patrons' records on computers.Core taskTask 1689Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  8. Task 8. Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.Core taskTask 1690Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  9. Task 9. Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.Core taskTask 1702Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  10. Task 10. Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.Core taskTask 1697Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  11. Task 11. Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.Core taskTask 18513Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  12. Task 12. Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs.Core taskTask 18515Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  13. Task 13. Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.Core taskTask 1703Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  14. Task 14. Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.Core taskTask 1693Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  15. Task 15. Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.Core taskTask 1695Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  16. Task 16. Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.Core taskTask 18518Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  17. Task 17. Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.Core taskTask 1717Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  18. Task 18. Issue identification cards to borrowers.Supplemental taskTask 1704Rated by 98 people who do the job, July 2017
  19. Task 19. Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.Supplemental taskTask 1706Rated by 98 people who do the job, July 2017
  20. Task 20. Process interlibrary loans for patrons.Supplemental taskTask 1698Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  21. Task 21. Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.Supplemental taskTask 18514Rated by 98 people who do the job, July 2017
  22. Task 22. Send out notices about lost or overdue books.Supplemental taskTask 1707Rated by 98 people who do the job, July 2017
  23. Task 23. Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.Supplemental taskTask 1700Rated by 97 people who do the job, July 2017
  24. Task 24. Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.Supplemental taskTask 1705Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  25. Task 25. Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours.Supplemental taskTask 18517Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  26. Task 26. Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.Supplemental taskTask 1701Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  27. Task 27. Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.Supplemental taskTask 18516Rated by 99 people who do the job, July 2017
  28. Task 28. Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.Supplemental taskTask 1714Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  29. Task 29. Sort and deliver library mail and packages.Supplemental taskTask 20989Rated by 98 people who do the job, July 2017
  30. Task 30. Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders.Supplemental taskTask 1710Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017
  31. Task 31. Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.Supplemental taskTask 1718Rated by 100 people who do the job, July 2017

Where this comes from

Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.

How we copy and credit sources
  1. Published by
    O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
  2. Classification
    Standard Occupational Classification 2018, 25-4031
  3. License
    CC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
  4. Changed by us
    Nothing.

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