High School

Library assistants need strong English, history, speech, and even foreign language skills, so while in high school concentrate on the humanities. If you are interested in working in a special library such as a medical library, take classes in that specialty. Learning how to use a computer and conduct basic research in a library is essential. Developing these skills will not only aid in your future library work, but will also help you in college and in any other career options you might pursue.

Postsecondary Training

While little postsecondary training is required for an assistant job, the position is often a stepping-stone to a higher library position. If this is your end goal, you will need to work towards a master's degree in library science. The assistant job will give you wonderful on-the-job training. This coupled with education in communications, writing, research methods, collection organization, and customer service, as well as maintenance and conservation, will put you in a great position to land a librarian position. More than half of the accredited library schools do not require any introductory courses in library science while an undergraduate, but check with schools for specific requirements.

Other Education and Training

Keeping up with industry developments is key to success as a library assistant. Professional associations often provide continuing education (CE) opportunities at their annual conferences and via in-person or online workshops and seminars. For example, the American Library Association offers many CE sessions at its conferences, as well as webinars such as Positive Interactions: Making the Library Welcoming for People with Disabilities and Emotional Intelligence in Your 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 http://www.ala-apa.org/lssc for more information.

Various state, county, and local governments have established other requirements for education and certification. You should contact the school board in the area in which you are interested in working for specific requirements. Your public library system should also have that information readily available.

No experience is needed, but those with experience are more likely to land jobs, earn higher pay, and get promoted. 

Library assistants need to be organized, detailed oriented, and personable to work with the public. Tact and patience can come in handy when working on projects and assisting patrons with "strong personalities." An affinity for problem solving is another desirable quality. Depending on where they work, assistants should have the qualities to fit their place of work; for example those working at a children's or young adult library should be able to relate to people from these age groups and enjoy helping them and promoting literacy.

Assistants employed in technical services should be comfortable working with the technology needed for the job and be able to think analytically. Anyone who works in a library should have a love for information and a desire to master the techniques for obtaining and presenting knowledge. They must also be prepared to master constantly changing technology.