HandsOnward
Sign InBuild My Roadmap

Library Assistants, Clerical

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $36,910/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$27,730$55,310

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -6.7% projected growth, 20242034 — declining.

About 12,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Service OrientationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingWritingCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringComplex Problem Solving
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingPsychologyComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and SecurityHistory and Archeology
Core tasks

Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.

Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.

Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.

Enter and update patrons' records on computers.

Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.

Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.

Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.

Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Library Assistants, Clerical?

The median pay for Library Assistants, Clerical is $36,910 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Library Assistants, Clerical?

Employment for Library Assistants, Clerical is projected to change -6.7% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Library Assistants, Clerical?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Library Assistants, Clerical?

About 12,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.