LIBRARY SERVICES SPECIALIST DRAFT CLASSIFICATION STANDARD (as of July 2003)

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Library Assistant - Statement of Purpose and Charge

Library Assistants provide technical and paraprofessional support to librarians and library users. This is an out dated statement that is the lead statement in our classification series definition. It is for this reason that we strongly propose that our series description be reviewed and updated. This series review should also take into account a salary increase to establish pay equity for our classification. Our series is predominately a female profession. The nature and variety of work has changed substantially with the introduction of sophisticated library technology and limited library budgets. Library Assistants are responsible for implementing online computer catalog systems, software and hardware troubleshooting, serving as computer technicians, installing remote software, upgrading online catalogs, training library staff, inputting and maintaining patron and catalog information. The amount of 'original thinking' required for the job has also increased. Library Assistants system wide are managing units and departments that were once managed by librarians. The nature and scope of authority has increased ten-fold. Library Assistants are managing thousands of dollars of library budgets. The level of responsibility has also increased. We are no longer the supporting cast, we are the primary cast that maintains the library's front line customer service, information desks, circulation desks, university archives, collection development and reference desks. The nature and availability of guidelines that controls decision-making are now professional in nature. The majority of Library Assistants have surpassed 'working knowledge' and 'general knowledge' as outlined by the series description for Library Assistant I's and II's. Library Assistant's system wide are performing at a much higher level of knowledge as described by the description in Library Assistant III's and IV's. We have once again hit the 'glass ceiling' as our classification ends at the Library Assistant IV level. For the reasons mentioned above, we are submitting literature that supports our position that our job duties have not only changed but have been predicted to change, as outlined in the Trustees of the California State University document titled, The Academic Library in the Information Age: Changing Roles. 1996.

Library Assistant Literature Review

Fox, Charlie and Roney, Raymond. Library Support Staff Salary Survey. Library Mosaics, July/August 2000, p. 8-12.

Abstract: In addition to the a national salary survey results, it included over 40 job titles for Library Assistants, ranging from Adult Literacy Specialist to Writer-Editor. The role and responsibilities of support staff continues to evolve. With this evolution comes a plethora of titles and job descriptions, each one indicative of how quickly our world is changing. Top five salaries were $62,838 (New York), $53,169 (Conn), $51,409 (California), $48,727 (Washington, D.C.) and $48,358 (Virginia).

Oberg, Larry R., Mentges, Mark E., McDermott, P.N. and Harusadangkul. The Role, Status, and Working Conditions of Paraprofessionals: A National Survey of Academic Libraries. College & Research Libraries, May 1992. p 215-238.

Abstract: "The emergence of paraprofessionals as a growing force in academic libraries is a much discussed but little investigated phenomenon. The rapid change that characterizes academic libraries today has affected profoundly staff development and workplace task assignments. The profession's response to these new conditions, however, has been weak, and librarians have not exercised leadership. Librarians speculate, but do not know with certainty, the education, skills, and other competencies required of paraprofessionals, the tasks and levels of authority assigned them, the salaries and staff development incentives offered, or the potential of their contributions. The authors present the results of their 1990 national survey of the role, status, and working conditions of paraprofessionals in two populations, a census of the Association of Research Libraries, and a random sample of the Carnegie Classification libraries. They review the literature, analyze the data results, make recommendations for further research, and propose actions to be taken by the profession."

Trustees of the California State University. The Academic Library in the Information Age: Changing Roles. 1996.

Abstract: "Paraprofessional, technical, and supporting staff will require solid training in general management skills such as hiring, supervision, budgeting, and working with the public as librarians focus on developing and implementing services and programs and
transfer much of the day-to-day operational responsibilities for the library. In areas where work once done by librarians is now the province of paraprofessional or technical personnel, staff may require enhanced technical and communication skills. They, too, will need to be current in their knowledge of information trends and issues. To equip themselves for these new and enhanced roles, paraprofessional, technical, and support staff must develop a much greater understanding of library policy and planning in preparation for the new levels of responsibility they will assume."

Wakimoto, Jina Choi, Hsiung, Gina R. Blurring the boundaries between professional and para-professional catalogers at California State University, Northridge, Library Collections, Acquisitions, & Technical Services 24 (2000), p. 171-188.

Abstract: "What used to be a clear-cut division between the duties of professional and para-professional catalogers has become blurred in many libraries. The authors illustrate this point by discussing the evolution of responsibilities held by para-professional and professional catalogers over the course of a 10-year period in the Cataloging Department at Cal State Northridge. Comparisons are made among organization charts and workflow patterns during this 10-year period. Of the several contributing factors responsible for blurring the boundaries, technology played the major role. Para professional catalogers have more responsibilities with streamlined workflow."

Wheeler, Maurice B., Ph.D. Meeting 21st Century Challenges: Professional Development for Library Support Staff, Keynote Speech, 1999 Council on Library/Media Technicians Conference "Standing at the Crossroads."

Abstract: A discussion of the driving force behind much of what libraries will do in the next century; re-examining and re-shaping their missions but not to neglect the role of library support staff in the process of change. Specific skills that must be embraced are flexibility, diversity, customer service and appropriate technological and communication skills.


Occupational Definitions, Job Descriptions and Outlooks

California Occupational Guide, Library Assistants, Number 417, Interest Area 11, 1994. Labor Market Information. EDD. Job titles associated with particular levels vary from library to library but generally Library Assistants are classified into clerical levels and are more skilled and higher paid technicians/paraprofessional level. The para/professional level requires the ability to act more independently and often involves supervision of other employees. Higher level Library Assistants are usually called para/professional Library Technicians.

California Occupational Guide, Librarians, Number 154, Interest Area 11, 1994. Labor Market Information, EDD. Gives descriptions on working conditions, employment outlook, salary and position duties and responsibilities. Projected growth percentage is 17%.

Handbook of Occupational Groups & Families, GS-1400, Library and Archives Group, page 73. GS-1410, Librarian Series, GS-1411, Library Technician Series, GS-1412, Technical Information Services Series, GS-1420 Archivist Series and GS-1421 Archives Technician Series.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, page 182. Library Technicians, O*NET 31505. Nature of work, working conditions, job outlook: Employment of library technicians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2008. Some job openings will result from the need to replace library technicians who transfer to other fields or leave the labor force. Similar to other fields, willingness to relocate enhances an aspiring library technician's job prospects. Increasing use of library automation is expected to spur job growth among library technicians. Although, budgetary constraints could dampen employment growth, libraries sometimes use technicians to perform some librarian duties in an effort to stretch shrinking budgets.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, page 321. Library Assistants and Bookmobile Drivers, O*NET 53902. Are usually responsible for less than Library Technicians usually assist professional librarians. Salaries are also less than Library Technicians. Job outlook is the same.

Other Pertinent Literature

Cohen, Lucy R. Creating a New Classification System for Technical and Supervisory Library Support Staff, Journal of Library Administration, 10, no. 4, 1989: 60.

Library Support Staff Classification Studies (OMLS SPEC Kit 252). Washington, D.C.: ARL, Oct 1999.

Morh DA, Schuneman A. Changing Roles: original cataloging by paraprofessional in ARL libraries. Library Resources & Technical Services 1997; 41:205.

Mosley, Shelly. How to Survive a Classification Study, Library Journal, 123, Oct. 15, 1998: 49.

 
Last Update (June 25, 2007): Señor Félix Cortez-Littlefield