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.

Library Technician Salary

Read about a career as a Library Technician including information such as a Library Technician Salary, daily tasks and other career information.

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:

  • Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report

    Delve deeper into what your interests, hobbies, favorite topics, and locations can mean for your career and personal life with the help of this extensive and personalized Strong profile.

    Your Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report starts with the same foundational information found in the Strong Interest Inventory Profile, but goes even further into analyzing your likes and dislikes by offering you a detailed look at how following your interests and preferences can help you lead a more fulfilling, satisfied life. The report presents you with the closest matched occupations for people with your interests, an in-depth breakdown of certain areas matched to your Strong Interest Inventory test results, and insight into your likes and dislikes.

    Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report

    Price: $62.95 Buy Now
  • Strong Interest Inventory Profile Test & Profile

    Strong Interest Inventory® Profile

    Mold your future success by choosing a career that accurately reflects your interests, preferences,  favorite topics as well as your likes and dislikes with the help of this profile.

    Direct your future based on what you like and enjoy, providing you with a happier, more fulfilling life and career. The Strong Interest Inventory® Profile uses an extensive analysis of your interests and preferences to guide you towards a career that best suits who you are on a personal level. Depending on your likes and dislikes compared to others in specified fields, you may find a fulfilling career previously unthought-of, helping guide you down the road to success and happiness.

    Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® Profile

    Price: $52.95 Buy Now
  • iStartStrong™ Report

    Plan your future career based on your interests and preferences, leading you down the path to a successful work and personal life.

    Use your interests, preferences, and favorite subjects and leisure activities to assess which career or career field works best with who you are and what you like. Through the web-interactive and thorough iStartStrong™ report, you’ll get set off on the right foot toward finding a career that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

    Download Sample iStartStrong™ Report

    Price: $39.95 Buy Now

 

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References

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