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25-4022.00 · Task explorer

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

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This source lists 30 tasks, including 25 marked Core and 5 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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30 tasks shown

Core · Task 22411 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.

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Core · Task 22412 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.

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Core · Task 22413 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.

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Core · Task 22414 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.

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Core · Task 22416 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.

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Core · Task 22415 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.

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Core · Task 22409 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

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Core · Task 22429 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.

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Core · Task 22423 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.

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Core · Task 22430 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.

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Core · Task 22408 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.

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Core · Task 22407 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Check books in and out of the library.

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Core · Task 22410 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.

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Core · Task 22420 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.

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Core · Task 22418 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.

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Core · Task 22425 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.

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Core · Task 22422 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Develop library policies and procedures.

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Core · Task 22417 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.

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Core · Task 22426 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.

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Core · Task 22419 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.

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Core · Task 22428 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.

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Core · Task 22431 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.

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Core · Task 22435 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.

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Core · Task 22424 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.

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Core · Task 22427 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.

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Supplemental · Task 22436 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.

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Supplemental · Task 22434 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.

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Supplemental · Task 22433 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Assemble and arrange display materials.

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Supplemental · Task 22421 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.

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Supplemental · Task 22432 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.