Occupation Summary

Library Technicians

O*NET 25-4031.00

Description:

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.

Annual Wages:
$38,195.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 0.55%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service

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


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Library Technicians employed Annual Growth Rate
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 16.9 -0.54
Elementary and secondary schools 16.2 -0.99
Junior colleges 3.1 -0.87


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $18.36
2024 National average hourly wage $20.70
2022 National employment 78,600
2022 Texas employment 4,153
Texas projected employment by 2032 4,176
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 694




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
82.00%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
76.60%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
67.20%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
66.00%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
63.20%
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
56.80%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
52.40%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
52.20%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
51.80%
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
47.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
67.60%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
65.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
65.00%
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
62.40%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
60.00%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
60.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
60.00%
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
60.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
57.60%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
57.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
67.60%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
67.60%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
65.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
65.00%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
65.00%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
65.00%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
62.40%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
60.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
60.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
60.00%


  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Other Activities


  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Bar code reader equipment: Barcode scanners;

Cargo trucks: Bookmobiles;

Cash registers: Cash registers;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital video disk players or recorders: Digital video disk DVD players;

Film projectors: Film projectors;

Microfiche or microfilm viewers: Microfiche readers; Microfilm readers;

Microfiche reader printers: Microfilm printers;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Photocopiers: Photocopying equipment;

Scanners: Scanners;

Special purpose telephones: Multi-line telephone systems;

Video cassette players or recorders: Video cassette recorders VCR;


Technology

Data base user interface and query software: Database software; Ex Libris Group Aleph; FileMaker Pro; Inmagic TextWorks; Microsoft Access; National Library of Medicine Medline;

Desktop publishing software: Microsoft Publisher; Adobe InDesign;

Document management software: Adobe Acrobat;

Electronic mail software: Email software;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Photoshop;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Library software: WebClarity Software BookWhere; WorldCat; Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) databases; SirsiDynix Symphony; National Library of Medicine DOCLINE; Dynix Digital Library; Innovative Interfaces Millennium; Ex Libris Group Voyager;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Web page creation and editing software: Adobe Dreamweaver;

Word processing software: HandyFile Find and Replace Text Aid Kit; Microsoft Word; Microsoft Outlook; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Library Technicians include:
  • 15-1232.00 Computer User Support Specialists
  • 15-1242.00 Database Administrators
  • 15-1299.03 Document Management Specialists
  • 43-4071.00 File Clerks
  • 43-4121.00 Library Assistants, Clerical
  • 43-9061.00 Office Clerks, General
  • 43-4171.00 Receptionists and Information Clerks
  • 43-6014.00 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
  • 53-7065.00 Stockers and Order Fillers
  • 25-9042.00 Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about library technicians and assistants careers, visit: American Library Association
  • For information about medical libraries, visit: Medical Library Association
  • For information about law libraries, visit: American Association of Law Libraries
  • For information about many different types of special libraries, visit: Special Libraries Association
  • Occupational Requirements Survey

  • For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
  • Library assistants, clerical (PDF)
  • Library technicians (PDF)
  • Library Assistants, Clerical
  • Library Technicians

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.