Library Technical Assistants

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What is a Library Technician?

Library technicians help librarians acquire, prepare, and organize material, and assist users in finding information. Library technicians usually work under the supervision of a librarian, although they work independently in certain situations. Technicians in small libraries handle a range of duties; those in large libraries usually specialize. As libraries increasingly use new technologies—such as the Internet, virtual libraries, and automated databases—the duties of technicians will expand and evolve accordingly.  (For the latest information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Job Outlook

Employment of library technicians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012. In addition to employment growth, some job openings will result from the need to replace technicians who transfer to other fields or leave the labor force.

The increasing use of library automation is expected to continue to spur job growth. Computerized information systems have simplified certain tasks, such as descriptive cataloging, which can now be handled by technicians instead of librarians. For example, nowadays technicians can easily retrieve information from a central database and store it in the library’s computer. Although efforts to contain costs could dampen employment growth of library technicians in school, public, and collegiate libraries, cost containment efforts could also result in more hiring of technicians than librarians. Growth in the number of professionals and other workers who use special libraries should result in good job opportunities for library technicians in those settings.

Earnings

Median annual earnings of library technicians in May 2006 were $26,560. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,220 and $34,280. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15,820, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $42,850. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of library technicians in 2006 were as follows:

• Colleges, universities, and professional schools $29,950
• Junior colleges 29,470
• Local government 25,610
• Elementary and secondary schools 24,760
• Other information services 23,420
• Salaries of library technicians in the Federal Government averaged $43,238 in 2007

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