What Are the Requirements to Be a Library Clerk?
Becoming a library clerk gives you the chance to interact with the reading public and coordinate special library events for children and adults. Learn what education is often required and what tasks you may perform.
What Education Do I Need to Become A Library Clerk?
You can usually qualify for a library clerk, technician or assistant position with some college education, such as a library science certificate or associate degree program, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, smaller libraries could accept library experience or a high school diploma. Completing a college program might improve your employment opportunities, and several vocational schools and community colleges offer classes and internships to provide you with general and specialized instruction on library operations and services.
| Required Education | Postsecondary certificate or associate's degree, though a high school diploma is sometimes acceptable |
| Common Degree Courses | Reference systems, website development, literary genres, legal regulations, communication |
| Learning Environments | Traditional classroom and distance learning degree options are available |
| Key Career Skills | Team oriented, critical thinking, analytical ability, multi-tasking, customer focused |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029) | 4% decline (for library technicians and assistants)* |
| Median Salary (2020) | $31,840 (for library technicians and assistants)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Will I Study?
An associate degree program blends the teaching of library functions with technology and business courses for an interdisciplinary curriculum. Most programs offer internships with local libraries. You'll learn how to coordinate library events, work with multimedia devices, organize library inventory and support staff and patrons. Certificate programs usually cover the professional instruction found in an associate degree program, eliminating the general education requirement.
Some degree programs allow you to take specialized electives or concentrate your library education. You can learn sign language, braille or a foreign language to assist visually impaired or non-English-speaking people. You might also focus on children's services, management or technology to qualify for specific departmental positions. Other common course topics and skills training include:
- Communication and public speaking
- Basic library tasks
- Website development
- Legal regulations for libraries
- Library safety and security
- Library reference systems
- Adolescent psychology
- Various literary genres
Can I Study Online?
A few community colleges and universities offer certificate and degree programs in library and information science online or through correspondence. Although you'll take coursework via distance learning, you might still be required to participate in a required internship or practicum, though fully online programs don't usually include them in the curricula.
What Will My Daily Tasks Be?
Your primary responsibility will be to support your librarians and provide services to library patrons. You'll issue library cards, check out books, process returned books and shelve used materials. You could work at a circulation desk helping people with questions, retrieving reference materials and assisting people with library technology. Some libraries belong to a county or state library system or offer mobile services, and you could transport books between local libraries or provide roving library services to underserved communities.