Library assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information Services.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a library, information and archive services assistant advanced apprenticeship.

This typically takes 18 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Volunteering

You could gain experience of working in a library through volunteering in school, college or local authority libraries.

You can find opportunities through sites like:

• The National Council for Voluntary Organisations
• Do IT

DirectApplication

You can apply for a job as a library assistant if you have some experience of working in a library, an archive or information service, for example as a volunteer. You may need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English, to apply.

Experience working in an administration, customer services or IT role would also be useful for applying directly.

For some assistant jobs, for example in industrial or commercial libraries, you may need qualifications at A level standard or higher. You may also need specialist knowledge like languages or science, depending on the job.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• administration skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work on your own
• knowledge of English language
• to be flexible and open to change
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• a desire to help people
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• leadership skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Library assistants help librarians to manage the day-to-day running of a library.

You could work on a customer service desk to:

• help users access print and online resources
• organise IT access and answer library users' queries
• check materials in and out
• deal with counter, phone and email enquiries

You may also:

• catalogue new resources
• shelve returned items and arrange repair of damaged materials
• promote collections or new library resources
• make sure copyright licence agreements are followed
• maintain databases and records
• help with events and activities like storytelling or author sessions

Location : You could work at a library, at a school, at a college or at a university.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £23,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

34 - 36 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, further training and qualifications, you could become a librarian .