High School

If you are considering a career as a library technician, you should take a college preparatory course load. Classes in English, history, literature, foreign languages, computer science, and mathematics are crucial to giving you a strong background in the skills you will need as a library technician. Strong verbal and writing skills are especially important, so take all the classes you can to help you develop facility in speaking and writing. Any special knowledge of a particular subject matter can also be beneficial. For instance, if you have a strong interest in geography, you may want to consider pursuing a technical assistant position in a map room of a library.

Postsecondary Training

The technical nature of the work performed by library technicians, especially when working in technical services, is prompting more and more libraries to hire only high school graduates who have gone on to complete a two-year program in library technology. Many enroll in a two-year certificate or associate degree program that, upon graduation, bestows the title, library technical assistant. Typical programs include courses in the basic purpose and functions of libraries; technical courses in processing materials, cataloging acquisitions, library services, and use of the Internet; and one year of liberal arts studies. Persons entering such programs should understand that the library-related courses they take will not apply toward a professional degree in library science. Visit http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/library-certificate-and-degree-programs for a list of colleges and universities that offer certificates and associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in library science and related fields.

For some positions, a bachelor's degree may be required in a specific area, such as art history for work in a museum library, or sociology for a position at a YMCA library. Specialized study in a foreign language may be helpful, since most libraries have materials in many languages, and all of those materials must be cataloged and processed for library patrons to use. Also, not all library users speak English; a library employee who is able to communicate with patrons in a foreign language will be especially effective. While in college, you will probably be required to take courses in the liberal arts: sociology, psychology, speech, history, and literature, among others.

Some smaller libraries, especially in rural communities, may hire persons with only a high school education for library technician positions. Some libraries may hire individuals who have prior work experience, and some may provide their own training for inexperienced individuals. On the other hand, some libraries may only hire library technicians who have earned associate's or bachelor's degrees.

Other Education and Training

Keeping up with industry developments is key to success as a library technician. Professional associations often provide continuing education opportunities at their annual conferences and via in-person or online workshops and seminars. For example, the American Library Association offers many educational sessions at its conferences, as well as webinars such as Creating a Latino Friendly Library and Understanding Personalities in the Workplace. Contact library associations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

The American Library Association offers the voluntary library support staff certification designation to library support staff who demonstrate their knowledge and skills in library science. Library support staff with at least a high school diploma or its equivalent and the equivalent of at least one year (1,820 hours) of volunteer or work experience in a library may apply for certification. Visit https://ala-apa.org/lssc for more information.

Experience as a volunteer or in a part-time job in a library will be helpful for aspiring library technicians.

Whatever your educational or training background, you should demonstrate aptitude for careful, detailed, analytical work. You should enjoy problem solving and working with people as well as with books and other library materials. Good interpersonal skills are invaluable, since library technicians often have much public contact. As a library technician, you should possess patience and flexibility and should not mind being interrupted frequently to answer questions from library patrons.

You should also exhibit good judgment; you'll need to know when you can effectively assist a user, and when the problem must be referred to a professional librarian. Since there are many tasks that must get done in order to make materials available to users, you must have excellent time management skills. Technicians who supervise the work of others must be able to manage effectively, explain procedures, set deadlines, and follow through with subordinates. You should also feel comfortable reporting to supervisors and working alongside other technicians in a team atmosphere.