Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

Issuing items, receiving them when they come back, and collecting fines for overdue or damaged books form a large part of many library assistants' work. When issuing books or materials to the public, they usually use a computerised library system. Working on the issue or return desk can be very pressurised especially at peak times such as Saturday mornings in a public library or at the change of lectures in a student library.  
 
Once items have been returned, they must be stored, shelved or repaired if necessary. Many libraries handle CDs, videos, pictures and other media, as well as books; they all need to be checked for signs of damage. The library assistant carries out minor book repairs, such as taping in loose pages.  
 
In small libraries, assistants process new material by sticking in date labels, barcodes and so on. Most public libraries and large libraries in other fields contract out these services and/or have central cataloguing departments. Assistants are usually responsible for the paperwork associated with buying and receiving new items and for adding material to the library stock.  
Contact with borrowers ranges from sending reminders about overdue books to dealing with face-to-face and telephone enquiries. New library users may need help in using the library system or the Internet, finding an item or operating microfiche readers, CD-ROMs, OPACs and photocopying machines. The library assistant provides this help to new users.  
 
Some library assistants work on mobile library services to particular communities or clients. These include rural areas, hospitals, schools and residential homes for the elderly.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.
• Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
• Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
• Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
• Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.
• Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.
• Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.
• Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines.
• Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used.

Further Information

• Library/Information Assistant - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Posts in the non-public library service as Library Assistant are regularly advertised, and advertisements usually indicate the qualifications required and the salary scales offered.  
 
Recruitment as Library Assistant in the public library service may be by open competition, following public advertisement or by appointment from a panel, following public advertisement, and based on the results obtained by candidates in the Leaving Certificate Examination or European equivalent.  
 
The local authorities may also hold an interview for the purpose of assessing the general suitability of candidates. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications required for the office are offered appointments as vacancies arise.  
 
Training & Development  

The Library Assistant, on appointment, will be gradually introduced to the duties of the post, working with an experienced Library Assistant or Assistant Librarian under the supervision of the Librarian.

Professional Development

For Professional membership of the Library Association Ireland a primary qualification at undergraduate NFQ level 8 and a post graduate qualification: 

Information & Library Management

Library & Information Studies

Postgraute study options Programs are currently offered at DCU/ UCD/ Dublin Business School, and Ulster University

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €44k

Salaries vary by Employer if Public or private. Location, duties & role, qualifications, and experience impact on salary rates in this career. 
 

Senior executive officer/county & city librarian/head of information systems/financial accountant/management accountant/financial & management accountant
75,350 – 76,022 – 78,977 – 81,953 – 84,934 – 87,883 – 90,851 – LSI 1 94,217 – LSI 2 99,851

Grade 7 – Administrative officer/senior executive librarian
55,847 – 57,214 – 58,810 – 60,410 – 62,011 – 63,441 – 64,906 – 66,324 – 67,739 – LSI 1 70,164 – LSI 2 72,602

Grade 6 – Senior staff officer/executive librarian/senior legal assistant/clerk of works/building inspector
53,345 – 54,618 – 56,168 – 59,086 – 60,828 – LSI 1 62,994 – LSI 2 65,172

Grade 5 – Staff officer/librarian/legal assistant
48,089 – 49,561 – 51,039 – 52,537 – 54,047 – LSI 1 55,806 – LSI 2 57,572

Grade 4 – Assistant staff officer/senior library assistant
32,301 – 34,386 – 37,345 – 39,289 – 40,989 – 42,633 – 44,853 – 46,459 – 48,089 – LSI 1 49,589 – LSI 2 – 51,100

Grade 3 – Clerical officer/library assistant/branch librarian*
27,896 – 29,611 – 30,035 – 30,891 – 32,143 – 33,397 – 34,651 – 35,561 – 36,594 – 37,789 – 38,638 – 39,825 – 41,019 – 43,265 – LSI 1 44,860

*Hourly rate for a Branch Librarian is based on the Library Assistant salary scale. The rate below, effective from 01/03/2023, is based on a 35 hour working week.

Branch librarian* (hourly rate)
15.27 – 16.21 – 16.45 – 16.91 – 17.60 -18.29 – 18.97 – 19.47 – 20.04 – 20.69 – 21.16 – 21.81 – 22.46 – 23.69 – LSI 1 24.56

Data Source(s):
Forsa/ County Council/ LGMA/ PAS

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels in this occupation has seen little change in recent years, with numbers employed in 2022 slightly lower than five years ago, resulting in a negative employment growth rate. The CSO Census data indicates that increases in employment related to public relations professionals and librarians. 

The numbers employed in the individual occupations are too small for any further analysis.

• Department of Library and Information Studies

  • University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.
  • (01) 716 7777
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Dublin City Council Libraries

  • Pearse Street Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 674 4800
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Libraries Ireland

  • Click Here