Library Assistant Other Clerical Support Workers
SaveWhat Does a Library Assistant Do?
Library assistants assist the librarian in the day-to-day activities of the library. They help clients find the materials they need, check out library materials and restock the shelves.
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Where Do I Start?
Copyright Legislation
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Library Assistant
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialCopyright Legislation knowledge
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Recommended Books
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EssentialAnalyse Library Users' Queries skill
Analyse library users' requests to determine extra information; assist in furnishing and locating that information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Informational Needs skill
Communicate with clients or users in order to identify which information they require and the methods with which they can access it.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialClassify Library Materials skill
Classify, code and catalogue books, publications, audio-visual documents and other library materials based on subject matter or library classification standards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDisplay Library Material skill
Assemble, sort and arrange library materials for display.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInstruct Library Users skill
Teach library visitors basic computer skills, such as searching digital databases.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Library Equipment skill
Maintain, clean and repair library resources, equipment and facilities, such as dusting or fixing printer paper jams.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Library Inventory skill
Keep accurate records of circulation of materials, maintain an up-to-date inventory, and correct possible cataloguing errors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Library Users Queries skill
Search library databases and standard reference materials, including online sources, to help users should they have questions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOrganise Information skill
Arrange information according to a specified set of rules. Catalogue and classify information based on the characteristics of that information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOrganise Library Material skill
Organise collections of books, publications, documents, audio-visual material and other reference materials for convenient access.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Library Information skill
Explain the use of library services, resources and equipment; provide information about library customs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 14 displayed)
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OptionalLiterature knowledge
The body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.
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OptionalCollection Management knowledge
The process of resource evaluation, selection and life-cycle planning to create and promote a coherent collection in line with the developing needs of the users or customers. Understanding legal deposit …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalDigitise Documents skill
Load analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply For Library Funding skill
Compose proposals for new research or project grants.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssist In Library Facility Planning skill
Provide input into the future planning of library facilities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalBuy New Library Items skill
Evaluate new library products and services, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCompile Library Lists skill
Compile exhaustive lists of books, magazines, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConfer With Library Colleagues skill
Communicate with colleagues and collaborators; make collection decisions and determine present and future library services to offer.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Semantic Trees skill
Create coherent lists and hierarchies of concepts and terms to ensure consistent indexing in knowledge organisation systems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Classification Systems skill
Organise archive or business records; develop classification systems to facilitate access to all information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Solutions To Information Issues skill
Analyse information needs and challenges to develop effective technological solutions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEvaluate Library Materials skill
Evaluate materials to determine whether they are outdated and should be replaced, or they are unused and should be discarded.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Digital Libraries skill
Collect, manage and preserve for permanent access digital content and offer to targeted user communities specialised search and retrieval functionality.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Software For Data Preservation skill
Utilise specialised applications and software to collect and preserve digital information.
Course recommendations coming soon.