Book preparation, cataloging, and circulation desk management are all examples of library technician jobs. A library technician may also help with other aspects of library management, such as providing basic reference assistance or assisting with library programs. The needs, function, and budget of the hiring library will all influence the library technician job description. Some library technician jobs may also include some management responsibilities, such as supervising library volunteers or providing extension services like bookmobiles.
A library technician, also called a library aide, is a person who works in a library under the supervision of a librarian or librarians. The type of library technician jobs available will often be determined the library’s nature. Library technicians have a lot of work to do because public and academic libraries are constantly adding to and subtracting from their collections. Technicians may assist in the preparation of newly acquired books for inclusion in the library’s collection, as well as assessing the condition of older books to determine whether they should be repaired or retired. A library technician is usually in charge of entering information about books, magazines, and other items into the computer systems of the library.
When books and other materials are returned to the library, the return is usually entered into the library’s computers a library technician. Technicians are frequently in charge of reshelving books and ensuring that library materials are located where they should be. In some cases, a library technician is also in charge of supervising library volunteers who help with reshelving and processing library card applications.
Other library technician jobs include those that require a significant amount of public interaction, in addition to processing and repairing books. A library technician may be assigned to the circulation desk, where he or she is responsible for checking out books, collecting fines and fees, and assisting new patrons with library card applications. The librarian technician may also be responsible for providing limited reference assistance to patrons who need to locate common reference materials, though librarians are typically assigned to patrons who require more involved reference or research assistance.
The majority of library technician jobs require completion of a library technician vocational program for education and training. Some employers, on the other hand, do not require formal training and instead train new employees on the job. Library technician jobs in academic, legal, and corporate libraries may be reserved for those with a university degree and specific training in library work.