Occupation
Library technician
Library technicians keep the library running day to day: circulation, cataloguing support, processing new items, shelving, and answering the questions that come to the desk. The work is detail-heavy and system-driven, with library management software at the centre of it. It is also public-facing, including with users who need patience and help.
Also known as: Library assistant · Library technologist · Information assistant · Learning resource centre assistant
Occupation content
Part of Community, social and public services
What the work involves
- Issue, return, and renew items and manage holds, fines, and memberships
- Process new acquisitions, apply catalogue records, and prepare items for the shelves
- Shelve, shelf-read, and run inventory and weeding routines
- Answer directional and basic reference enquiries and refer complex ones to a librarian
- Support users with catalogues, e-resources, printing, and public computers
- Assist with displays, programmes, and interlibrary loan requests
How people commonly enter
- A college diploma or certificate in library and information technology
- Entry as a library assistant or page with on-the-job training in circulation and processing systems
- A short course or employer-delivered training in the library management system used by the service
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Not typically licensed
Typical work context
Public facing · Desk based · Predictable routine · Team based · Quiet focus
Related interests
Conventional (organizing) · Social (helping)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Data checking and clerical accuracy
- Error detection
- Reading comprehension
- Perceptual speed
- Customer-service judgment
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Community, social and public services.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: library technician · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Library assistant job profile · United Kingdom
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- Canada Job Bank — Career planning and occupation exploration (ESDC) · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Community, social and public services in Canada, not a figure for Library technician. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Community, social and public services family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: education pathways
Some roles in Community, social and public services may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)