The Strong Interest Inventory® and its associated assessment are fantastic tools for helping individuals focus their job search and find fulfilling careers where they will likely find success and long-term satisfaction. It has been used since the early 20th century by individuals looking for their first job as well as those seeking change after years in the workforce. This assessment works by first analyzing job seekers’ personal proclivities and preferences, and then uses the results to guide them towards their top career categories based on a comparison of results to those who have reported happy within their profession. Each of the six categories of careers contain occupations that share certain characteristics. For example, Conventional careers, like Library Technicians, typically involve strong organizational and problem-solving skills and attract people who are detail-oriented and comfortable working in highly structured environments.

Library Technicians assist librarians in performing a wide range of duties that keep libraries operating smoothly. These responsibilities may involve assisting patrons and answering their questions; collecting donations or fines; organizing catalogues and databases; shelving, sorting or repairing books and other media; checking materials in and out of the circulation desk; and restocking supplies as needed.

They may also need to help patrons locate materials; use catalogues, computers, or other library resources; update their profiles or records; troubleshoot technical issues; and more. In addition, Library Technicians also perform clerical or office related tasks, such as answering telephone or in-person inquiries, delivering or retrieving items from around the library, and compiling and maintaining necessary records.

Some Library Technicians also work on special projects or requests. For instance, they may need to assist teachers and students to complete special projects or scan materials for later reference. They might also be asked to help track down specific resources, for instance by leveraging the institution’s interlibrary loan program. If they are involved with library programs or events, including children’s programs, community outreach programs, or library tours, they may design posters or other special displays to promote said programs. Once they have been with their library for a sufficient amount of time, they may even be responsible for training other staff or volunteers, as well as creating schedules or supervising their work. Library Technicians typically report directly to their location’s librarian, and so will be responsible for completing any additional tasks as requested.

Successful Librarian Technicians use many different kinds of hardware and software in their daily work. Hardware may include computers and mobile phones as well as barcode scanners, cash registers, DVD or VHS players, microfilm readers and printers, scanners, and projectors. Frequently-used technology includes standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, email and web browser software), in addition to library software (e.g., Online Computer Library Center OCLC; SirsiDynix Symphony; WebClarity Software BookWhere; WorldCat) and database user interface and query software (e.g., Ex Libris Group Aleph; Inmagic TextWorks; Microsoft Access, Medline).

While many Library Technicians hold a bachelor’s degree (~30%) or an associate’s degree (~28%), many do not hold a higher education degree. Instead, having strong organizational skills and a proclivity for personal and customer service are much more important. A basic understanding of computer use, as well as strong English communication skills are also helpful, though being multilingual may be beneficial in certain geographic regions. Above all, Librarian Technicians should be passionate about learning and helping people broaden their horizons, as these are the reasons that most people visit libraries in the first place.

The national median Library Technician Salary is just over $30,000 annually. Densely populated areas of the east coast, including Washington D.C., Connecticut, and Massachusetts lead the country, with median salaries over $45,000 and the top 10th percentile earning over $60,000 per year in every case. On the other extreme, rural states in the south like Arkansas and Mississippi have a top 10th percentile still earning under $40,000, while the bottom 10th percentile in those states earn just above minimum wage. While some states, including Texas, California, and Utah are projected to grow rather quickly in the next decade, overall employment rates are slowing as more and more resources move online.

Below are some employment trends for Library Technicians:

• Library Technician Salary: $16.37/hour; $34,040 annually
• Employment: 95,000 employees
• Projected growth (2018-2028): Decline (-2% or lower)
• Projected job openings (2018-2028): 14,000

[Information retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections]

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Gain access to your best-fit careers, occupational preferences and interests with these career based Strong Interest Inventory® and MBTI® Assessments:

 

Explore our Strong Interest Inventory® Blog Pages:

• Strong Interest Inventory Realistic Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Artistic Theme Explained
• Strong Interest Inventory Investigative Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Social Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Enterprising Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Conventional Theme Explained 

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References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections Onetonline.org