# Library Assistants, Clerical

> Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/library-assistants-clerical
- SOC code: 43-4121.00
- Career family: Office and administrative support
- Median annual pay: $36,910 (10th percentile $27,730, 90th percentile $55,310)
- Projected growth: Decline, -6.4%
- Openings a year: 12,300
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CSR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 32 |
| Investigative (I) | 17 |
| Artistic (A) | 5 |
| Social (S) | 46 |
| Enterprising (E) | 20 |
| Conventional (C) | 98 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 91/100)
- Getting Information (importance 80/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 76/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 72/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 70/100)
- Processing Information (importance 70/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 61/100)

## Skills

Service Orientation, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness

## Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service, Administrative, English Language, Education and Training, Psychology, Computers and Electronics, Public Safety and Security, History and Archeology, Sociology and Anthropology, Administration and Management

## Also called

Access Services Assistant, Acquisitions Assistant, Administrative Library Assistant, Book Sorter, Bookmobile Driver, Braille and Talking Books Clerk, Catalog Library Assistant, Cataloging Assistant, Children's Library Assistant, Circulation Assistant

## Related careers

- [Library Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/library-technicians): $44,580 median pay
- [File Clerks](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/file-clerks): $43,600 median pay
- [Office Clerks, General](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/office-clerks-general): $45,010 median pay
- [Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants-except-legal-medical-and-executive): $47,540 median pay
- [Document Management Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/document-management-specialists): $116,580 median pay
- [Stockers and Order Fillers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/stockers-and-order-fillers): $37,330 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.