Library Technician Resume Guide
Library technicians assist librarians with a variety of tasks related to library operations. They help patrons locate information and materials, shelve books, check out items, process new material arrivals, catalog and classify library resources according to established systems, prepare book displays and provide other customer service duties as needed.
You have the perfect blend of knowledge and skills to be an excellent library technician. But potential employers don’t know who you are, so writing a resume that reflects your talents is essential for getting their attention.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Library Technician Resume Sample
Korbin Walter
Library Technician
[email protected]
368-560-1042
linkedin.com/in/korbin-walter
Summary
Passionate library technician with 3+ years of experience in cataloging, organizing and maintaining library collections. Skilled at helping patrons find resources quickly while providing excellent customer service. At XYZ Library, successfully managed the day-to-day operations including circulation desk duties and shelving books. Developed an online database for tracking overdue materials which resulted in a decrease of late fees by 25%.
Experience
Library Technician, Employer A
Huntsville, Jan 2018 – Present
- Analyzed and cataloged over 200 library items daily, increasing the accuracy of the library system by 20%.
- Formulated and implemented new procedures for checking out books, which decreased processing time by up to 15 minutes per patron.
- Independently managed all aspects of a small-town public library with minimal supervision; successfully created an efficient filing system that improved inventory tracking accuracy significantly.
- Achieved record-breaking circulation numbers in 2020; increased book loans by 40% compared to previous year’s figures while maintaining high standards of customer service at all times.
- Participated in various literacy initiatives within local schools and communities, donating 500+ books to underprivileged children each month and helping them develop better reading skills through interactive storytime sessions.
Library Technician, Employer B
Yonkers, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Catalogued and organized over 15,000 library materials including books, magazines, and audio-visuals using the Dewey Decimal System; reduced retrieval time for patrons by 25%.
- Structured online database of library materials with accurate information such as author name, title or type of material to enable quick search results when requested by patrons.
- Updated digital records daily while maintaining accuracy in order to ensure easy access to resources at all times; increased patron satisfaction rate by 16%.
- Diligently provided reference services and instructional programs on computer applications and other related topics for up to 200 visitors per day within a timely manner.
- Assisted in setting up exhibits featuring local authors’ works which generated an additional $1,500 revenue annually from book sales alone.
Skills
- Cataloging
- Library Science
- Library
- Information Literacy
- Teaching
- Editing
- Collection Development
- Library Instruction
- Libraries
Education
Associate’s Degree in Library Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Library Technician (CLT)
Library and Information Technology Association
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary or objective should be a brief but powerful statement that captures the hiring manager’s attention. For example, you could mention your experience working with various library systems and databases, as well as any special certifications or awards you have received related to library technology. You can also highlight how your customer service skills have enabled patrons to find what they need quickly and accurately.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Proficient library technician with 8+ years of experience in providing support services to library patrons, including reference and research assistance. Highly efficient at cataloging materials, preparing displays for special events, and maintaining the library’s digital collection. At XYZ Library reduced overdue book rate by 40% through an effective tracking system. Trained 10 new staff members on library policies and procedures.
Hard-working library technician with 8+ years of experience providing support for library systems and services. Responsible for cataloging, maintaining circulation records, organizing collections, and ensuring that the facility is clean and orderly. Seeking to join ABC Library as a library technician in order to provide excellent customer service while utilizing my knowledge of current technologies and best practices in libraries.
Well-rounded library technician with 7+ years of experience providing effective library services to students, faculty and staff. At XYZ School successfully managed the day-to-day operations of a busy library while also assisting patrons with locating resources and materials. Skilled in cataloging books using Library of Congress Classification system as well as troubleshooting computer hardware/software issues for patrons.
Skilled library technician with 4+ years of experience working in library settings. Expert in cataloging, indexing and organizing information resources for efficient retrieval. At XYZ Library, managed the daily operations including circulation desk duties, shelving books and materials, as well as training new staff members on library procedures. Received commendations from patrons for excellent customer service skills.
Enthusiastic library technician with 7+ years of experience helping library patrons find books, check out materials and provide reference services. Committed to providing an excellent customer service experience for all patrons. At XYZ Library, improved patron satisfaction ratings by 10% in just 6 months. Seeking to bring strong organizational skills and knowledge of cataloging systems to the position at ABC Library.
Detail-oriented library technician with 7+ years of experience in cataloging and organizing library materials. Experienced in managing the circulation desk, providing reference services to patrons, and supervising junior technicians. At XYZ Library, improved catalog accuracy by 24% while decreasing retrieval time for items by 15%. Received Employee of the Year Award for exceptional customer service and dedication.
Dependable and detail-oriented library technician with 5+ years of experience providing excellent customer service in various libraries. Expertise in cataloging, circulation and reference services as well as coding and indexing documents. Seeking to apply knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System at ABC Library to provide efficient support for patrons’ needs.
Accomplished library technician with 3+ years of experience providing excellent customer service and support within a library setting. Skilled at cataloguing books, materials, and resources while demonstrating the ability to multitask in fast-paced environments. Seeking to use these skills as an integral part of ABC Library’s team.
2. Experience / Employment
Next comes the work history section, which should be written in reverse chronological order. This means that your most recent job is listed first.
Stick to bullet points when writing this section; it makes the information easier for the reader to digest quickly. You want to provide detail on what you did and the results achieved, instead of simply listing tasks performed.
For example, instead of saying “Organized library materials,” you could say, “Developed a new system for organizing library materials by size and subject matter, resulting in an increase of 20% efficiency.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Catalogued
- Assisted
- Processed
- Shelved
- Organized
- Monitored
- Updated
- Researched
- Circulated
- Analyzed
- Indexed
- Compiled
- Retrieved
- Evaluated
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Demonstrated excellent customer service by helping over 150 library patrons each day with locating and borrowing materials; answered inquiries regarding library policies, services and resources with accuracy.
- Organized the book collection of 3 branches, ensuring that all books were classified accurately based on Dewey Decimal System principles; catalogued 15 new items per hour while also completing regular inventory checks.
- Streamlined media-processing procedures for DVDs, CDs and audiobooks to ensure timely availability for customers; reduced wait times from 2 weeks to 48 hours on average in a single year period.
- Meticulously updated online databases containing information about more than 10,000 titles including author details, ISBNs & publication dates which resulted in 95% accurate records being available at any given time.
- Represented the Library at community events such as fairs and festivals to promote literacy initiatives while educating visitors about library services offered within the district area.
- Spearheaded the shelving of over 19,000 books and other library materials in the correct sections; reduced searching time for patrons by 25%.
- Mentored 3 new hires on proper book cataloging techniques, contributing to a 50% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
- Shelved over 6,500 magazines and periodicals every month with 100% accuracy according to genre/topic categories; kept circulation desk organized at all times.
- Substantially increased efficiency of material retrieval process through effective reorganization of stacks & shelves; decreased search time by 35%.
- Compiled an up-to-date database of library resources using MS Excel spreadsheets that included titles, authors’ names and subjects covered; saved 5 hours per week manually sorting items into categories.
- Presented library patrons with excellent service and assistance, responding to 400+ inquiries each week in a timely manner.
- Indexed over 5,000 new books into the library’s catalogue system; scanned barcodes for automated tracking of book loans & returns and managed overdue fines when necessary.
- Processed 200+ orders from publishers and vendors on an annual basis; successfully negotiated 25% discounts off regular prices for certain publilications that met budget requirements.
- Proficiently operated scanners, printers, photocopiers & other office equipment while maintaining accurate records of usage statistics to ensure proper billing procedures were followed at all times.
- Improved inter-library loan efficiency by 20% through implementation of streamlined ordering processes which reduced waiting time for requested materials from 3 days to 2 days or less in most cases.
- Circulated library materials to patrons, including books, magazines, music and multimedia items; processed over 500 checkouts per day while adhering to library policies.
- Advised students and faculty on the best resources for their research needs; answered inquiries related to library services quickly and accurately in person or through email/phone calls.
- Prepared monthly reports of circulation data using Excel spreadsheets; tracked overdue fines collected by type of material as well as customer demographics – increased revenue from fines by 10% within 6 months.
- Accurately cataloged new acquisitions according to Library of Congress Classification System standards; updated library database with accurate information about holdings for retrieval purposes at any time during opening hours or after-hours access requests.
- Reorganized book stacks alphabetically three times a year in order to keep shelves neat & orderly and facilitate easy navigation when searching for specific titles – decreased search time by 15 minutes per patron on average.
- Facilitated the daily operations of the library, processing over 1,000 book loans and leading 30+ volunteers in providing excellent customer service.
- Assessed patrons’ inquiries to determine their research needs; assisted 300+ patrons with finding books and other materials each week.
- Retrieved information from various sources such as databases, periodicals and online resources for customers searching for specific subjects or topics.
- Thoroughly checked interlibrary loan requests to ensure accuracy; reduced errors by 10% within one month on the job.
- Evaluated library shelves regularly to make sure books were properly organized and catalogued according to Dewey Decimal System classification standards; increased efficiency during searches by 25%.
- Coordinated the daily operations of a library, supervising 3+ library technicians and 2 clerks; increased operational efficiency by 22%.
- Monitored the circulation desk to ensure that patrons were properly registering for borrowing privileges and returning materials on time; decreased overdue returns by 10% within 6 months.
- Revised cataloging procedures to include new media types such as e-books and audio books, resulting in an organized system that would allow patrons easy accessibility to information resources.
- Introduced innovative methods for organizing book collections according to Dewey Decimal System standards; saved over $500 in staff training costs while improving customer service ratings by 15%.
- Consistently updated online inventory records with accurate information regarding newly acquired titles, helping librarians locate requested items faster and reducing wait times for customers by 30 minutes on average each visit.
- Optimized library cataloging and classification systems to increase accessibility for patrons, resulting in a 10% increase in library usage.
- Developed new procedures for the efficient shelving of books, which decreased average book-shelving time by 20 minutes per day.
- Resourcefully maintained an inventory of over 5,000 volumes while instituting cost-saving measures that reduced annual operating costs by $2500.
- Utilized customer service skills when assisting more than 500 patrons each week with locating resources or providing research assistance; received outstanding feedback from customers on multiple occasions regarding exceptional help provided beyond expectations.
- Reduced lost items rate within the library’s collections by 33%, through thorough checks and records maintenance processes implemented throughout all departments.
3. Skills
The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization may need someone who is experienced in cataloging and another may be looking for a library technician with expertise in providing reference services.
It is essential to tailor the skills section of your resume accordingly, as many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) which scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to human recruiters.
In addition to just listing these abilities here, you should also explain how you have used them previously by discussing it further in other sections like the summary or experience area.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Academic Libraries
- Archives
- Cataloging
- Circulation
- Collection Development
- Creative Writing
- Data Entry
- Digital Libraries
- Editing
- Electronic Resources
- Higher Education
- Information Literacy
- Information Management
- Integrated Library Systems
- Interlibrary Loan
- Libraries
- Library
- Library 2.0
- Library Instruction
- Library Management
- Library Reference
- Library Research
- Library Science
- Library Services
- Metadata
- Nonprofits
- Public Libraries
- Social Networking
- Teaching
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Virtual Reference
- Writing
4. Education
Mentioning your education on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you recently graduated and have no prior experience, list your education below the objective statement. However, if you have been working as a library technician for some time with plenty of accomplishments to showcase, omitting an education section is fine.
If including an educational background section, try to mention courses related to library technology or any other subjects relevant to the job role.
Associate’s Degree in Library Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a particular field. Employers are always looking for candidates who have taken the time to gain certifications that prove their proficiency in certain areas.
Including any relevant certifications on your resume will help you stand out from other applicants, as it shows employers that you have gone above and beyond what is expected of an average job seeker.
Certified Library Technician (CLT)
Library and Information Technology Association
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Korbin Walter, this would be Korbin-Walter-resume.pdf or Korbin-Walter-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Submitting a cover letter with your job application can be an effective way to make a good impression on potential employers. It’s usually made up of 2 to 4 paragraphs and provides additional information about who you are, what makes you suitable for the role and why you’re interested in it.
A cover letter is not always required but writing one is highly recommended as it allows recruiters to get more insights into your professional background than just by reading through your resume alone.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Marguerite,
I am writing to apply for the Library Technician position at your library. I have a degree in Library Science and four years of experience working as a library technician, and I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.
As a library technician, my duties include shelving books, checking out materials to patrons, answering reference questions, and providing other customer service as needed. My experience has taught me how to handle difficult patron requests calmly and efficiently. In addition, my knowledge of various online databases makes me well-suited for assisting patrons with research projects.
I am familiar with all aspects of library operations and procedures, and I am confident that I can hit the ground running in this role. I would welcome the opportunity to put my skills and experience to work for you at your library. Thank you for your time; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my qualifications or application materials.
Sincerely,
Korbin