Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Training requirements range from a high school diploma to an associate degree, but computer skills are necessary for all workers. Increasing use of computerized circulation and information systems should continue to spur job growth, but many libraries budget constraints should moderate growth. Employment should grow rapidly in special libraries because growing numbers of professionals and other workers use those libraries.
On average, Library Technicians earn $ 26,560 per year.
Job Opportunities for Library Technicians are expected to:
Increase as fast as the average.
Library technicians help librarians acquire, prepare, and organize materials and help users to find those materials. Library technicians usually work under the supervision of a librarian, although they sometimes work independently. Technicians in small libraries handle a range of duties; those in large libraries usually specialize. The duties of technicians are expanding and evolving as libraries increasingly use the Internet and other technologies to share information
Most libraries prefer to hire technicians who have earned a certificate or associate degree, but some smaller libraries may hire individuals with only a high school diploma. Many library technicians in public schools must meet the same requirements as teacher assistants. Those in Title 1 schoolsschools that receive special funding because of the high percentage of poor students enrolledmust hold an associate or higher degree, have a minimum of 2 years of college, or pass a rigorous State or local exam.
Library technicians held about 121,000 jobs in 2006; about half worked in local public libraries. Most of the rest worked in school or academic libraries, but some worked in special libraries in health care and legal settings. The Federal Government employs library technicians primarily at the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Library of Congress.
