How to become
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with a library service or an organisation like a college or university.
This typically takes between 1 and 2 years to complete and is a mix of workplace learning and off-site study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Volunteering
You could gain experience of working in a library through volunteering, or as a casual assistant, in a local authority or community library. This could give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
You can also find opportunities through sites like:
Direct Application
You can apply for a job as a library assistant if you have some experience of working in a library, archive or information service, for example as a volunteer.
You may need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including maths and English, to apply.
Experience working in an administration, customer services or IT role will also be useful for applying directly.
For some assistant jobs, for example in industrial or commercial libraries, you may need qualifications at A level standard or higher. You may also need specialist knowledge, like a language or science, depending on the nature of the job.
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Career tips
A knowledge of information classification systems, like the Dewey Decimal Classification, may be useful, though not essential, as training will be given when you start.
Further information
You can find more details about library careers from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).