Assistant Librarians - Occupations - VTC Occupation Dictionary

Descriptions & Duties

Assistant Librarians assist Librarians to organise and operate systems for handling library materials and files. They may also be required to prepare collections of artwork and historic items, specimens and artefacts, and arrange exhibitions.
They are responsible for providing assistance to Librarians in daily operations, in acquisitions of library materials and maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials;
monitoring the registration of new patrons and the issue of library cards;
determining the location of library materials and resources, including books, periodicals, journals, newspapers, and pictures;
processing new materials and maintaining records of items received, stored, issued, and returned according to library system;
overseeing the update and maintenance of computer databases, library records and circulation systems;
cataloguing books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and returning them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas;
collaborating with colleagues to organize changing exhibitions of varying scope in library;
assisting in developing educational programs, including tours, workshops, lectures, symposia and other educational sessions in library.

Generic Competencies

Physical abilities

Technology
skills

Cognitive
abilities

Comprehension and expression

Social skills

Organisation and execution skills

Problem
solving skills

Management
skills

Physical Abilities

Physical abilities

Physical strength
Eye hand coordination / precision / dexterity

Importance:2 (Max:5)

Skill is occasionally required

Technology Skills

Technology skills

Computer literacy
Application of technology

Importance:3 (Max:5)

Skill is basically required

Cognitive Abilities

Cognitive abilities

Creativity
Visualisation
Logical thinking

Importance:4 (Max:5)

Skill is frequently required

Comprehension And Expression

Comprehension and expression skills

Reading comprehension
Oral / written expression

Importance:4 (Max:5)

Skill is frequently required

Social Skills

Social skills

Communication
Negotiation
Persuasion

Importance:3 (Max:5)

Skill is basically required

Organisation And Execution Skills

Organisation and execution skills

Planning
Organising
Judgement
Decision making

Importance:4 (Max:5)

Skill is frequently required

Problem Solving Skills

Problem solving skills

Ability to solve simple and complex problems effectively and efficiently

Importance:3 (Max:5)

Skill is basically required

Management Skills

Management skills

Leadership
Management of finance / time / people / other resources

Importance:4 (Max:5)

Skill is frequently required

Trade Specific Competencies

Operation and management knowledge of libraries

Assistant Librarians must be familiar with the operation of library and have related management knowledge, including book classification and cataloguing, so as to provide users with comprehensive library services.

General Requirements

Academic qualification

usually have a recognised bachelor's degree; generally possess a postgraduate qualification in librarianship, or information science, or equivalent

Experience

2 years of post-qualification experience in a library or museum are preferable

Other specific requirements

on-the-job training is required

Career Path & Salary

Private Sector

Monthly Salary $15,000-$35,000

Monthly Salary $20,000-$50,000

Monthly Salary $30,000-$50,000

Monthly Salary $40,000-$90,000

Government Sector

Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 14-27

Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 28-33

Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 34-44

Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 45-49

*For more details on Civil Service Pay Scales, please visit website of the Civil Service Bureau.
http://www.csb.gov.hk/english/admin/pay/952.html

Work Environment

Assistant Librarians work in public libraries, or school or university libraries. They generally work indoors and spend much of their time at public service counters. They usually work in recreational venue/ cultural centre. They work shifts, in evenings, weekends or public holidays.

Tools

Bar code reader equipment - Barcode scanners
Cargo trucks - Bookmobiles
Magnifiers
Mail opening machines - Mail opening equipment
Microfiche or microfilm viewers - Microfiche printers; Microfiche readers; Microfilm readers
Microfiche reader printers - Microfilm printers
Multimedia projectors
Thermal book binding machines - Thermal book binders

Related Occupations

Librarians

Curators & Cultural Managers

Assistant Leisure & Cultural Officers

Education & School Administrators

Editors