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Library assistants and clerks

OaSIS code 14300.00

Library assistants and clerks issue and receive library materials, sort and shelve books and provide general library information to users. They also perform clerical functions.

Overview

Also known as

  • Circulation clerk - library
  • Interlibrary loan clerk
  • Library assistant
  • Library page
  • Periodicals clerk
  • Reference clerk
  • Shelving clerk - library

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Issue and receive library books and other materials
  • Sort and reshelve books and other library materials
  • Perform clerical activities such as manual and electronic filing and record payments received
  • Maintain journal subscriptions
  • Assist library users in accessing library materials and online resources, and in making interlibrary loans.

Additional information

  • Progression to more senior positions is possible with experience and post-secondary education related to library science.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Supervisors, library, correspondence and related information workers (12012)
  • Librarians (51100)
  • Library Technicians (52100.01)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

1 – Business, finance and administration occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

14 – Administrative and financial support and supply chain logistics occupations

Sub-major group

143 – Library, correspondence and other clerks

Minor group

1430 – Library, correspondence and other clerks

Unit group

14300 – Library assistants and clerks

Occupational profile

14300.00 – Library assistants and clerks

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Clerical Activities
3 - Moderate Level
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
3 - Moderate Level
Getting Information
3 - Moderate Level
Handling and Moving Objects
3 - Moderate Level
Interacting with Computers
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
3 - About half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Establishments with library services throughout the public and private sectors
  • Libraries

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Memorizing
3 - Moderate Level
Near Vision
3 - Moderate Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
2 - Low Level
Auditory Attention
2 - Low Level
Categorization Flexibility
2 - Low Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Management of Material Resources
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating
2 - Low Level
Critical Thinking
2 - Low Level
Evaluation
2 - Low Level
Learning and Teaching Strategies
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Adaptability
3 - Important
Analytical Thinking
3 - Important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important
Independence
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: CRS

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social (S)

Social occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the interaction with others to inform, train, aid, develop, cure, or enlighten. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others, teaching, working or communicating with people.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Clerical
2 - Intermediate Level
Client Service
2 - Intermediate Level
Languages
2 - Intermediate Level
Logistics
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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