Bethlehem College
Library Assistant Kaiāwhina Tiaki Pukapuka
Library assistants do a variety of tasks within a library including organising material and helping library users.
Library assistants may do some or all of the following:
- issue library materials such as books and eBooks
- respond to customer enquiries
- help customers use the online library catalogues or digital resources
- check and process library returns
- sort, mend, file and shelve library material
- help catalogue and prepare new materials for library use.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for library assistants includes:
- voluntary work in a library
- customer service work in restaurants, hotels or shops
- work in a bookshop.
Personal Qualities
Library assistants need to be:
- friendly, helpful and patient
- good communicators
- able to relate to a wide range of people
- accurate and efficient
- able to work well independently and as part of a team.
Skills
Library assistants need to have:
- basic research skills
- basic numeracy and money-handling skills
- an understanding of how to use library management systems and databases
- knowledge of how information is organised in libraries
- good general knowledge about the kind of library they work in.
Conditions
Library assistants:
- usually work part-time or full-time regular business hours, but may work evenings and weekends or do shift work
- work in libraries, offices or information centres, and mobile libraries (book buses).
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a library assistant. However, English, digital technologies, maths, social studies and te reo Māori are useful.
Related Subjects
Library Assistants can earn around $48K-$55K per year.
Pay for library assistants varies depending on experience and level of responsibility.
- Library assistants usually earn between minimum wage and $55,000 a year.
- Experienced or senior library assistants can earn between $55,000 and $65,000.
Source: Auckland Council, 2020.
Library assistants may progress to become senior library assistants or librarians.
Years Of Training
There are no specific entry requirements to become a library assistant. However, a tertiary qualification in library studies may be useful.
Open Polytechnic offers distance-learning courses in library and information studies:
- New Zealand Certificate in Library and Information Services for Children and Teens (Level 6)
- Diploma of Library and Information Studies (Level 5)
- Bachelor of Library and Information Studies.
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