According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas. | 86% |
| Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment. | 86% |
| Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose. | 85% |
| Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures. | 85% |
| Enter and update patrons' records on computers. | 85% |
| Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians. | 85% |
| Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items. | 84% |
| Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans. | 81% |
| Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines. | 81% |
| Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems. | 81% |
| Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used. | 80% |
| Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material. | 79% |
| Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials. | 79% |
| Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors. | 79% |
| Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software. | 78% |
| Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials. | 76% |
| Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books. | 76% |
| Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers. | 76% |
| Plan or participate in library events and programs, such as story time with children. | 75% |
| Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment. | 74% |
| Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees. | 74% |
| Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair. | 74% |
| Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash. | 74% |
| Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment. | 74% |
| Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons. | 73% |
| Place books in mailing containers, affix address labels, and secure containers with straps for mailing to blind library patrons. | 71% |
| Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues. | 71% |
| Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers. | 71% |
| Acquire books, pamphlets, periodicals, audio-visual materials, and other library supplies by checking prices, figuring costs, and preparing appropriate order forms and facilitating the ordering process by providing such information to others. | 70% |
| Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests. | 68% |
| Prepare library statistics reports. | 68% |
| Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts. | 66% |
| Assist in the preparation of book displays. | 62% |
