Library Assistant Course

Lesson 1 • Library Policies and Procedures

Introduces standard operating policies governing patron access, behavior, and staff conduct. Students apply policy knowledge to common workplace scenarios.

Lesson 2 • Library Stakeholders and Community

Identifies internal and external stakeholders and their expectations. Students recognize how community needs shape library service priorities.

Lesson 3 • Types of Libraries and Their Missions

Covers public, academic, school, and special libraries and their distinct purposes. Connects institutional context to daily assistant responsibilities.

Lesson 4 • Library Layout and Wayfinding

Maps physical and digital spaces patrons and staff navigate daily. Students practice guiding patrons efficiently through library environments.

Lesson 1 • Interlibrary Loan Basics

Introduces borrowing and lending items between library systems. Students process basic interlibrary loan requests and track item status.

Lesson 2 • Circulation Desk Operations

Covers the physical and procedural setup of the circulation desk. Students execute standard transactions with speed and accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Fines, Fees, and Overdue Items

Addresses calculation, collection, and waiver of fines and fees. Students handle financial transactions and patron disputes professionally.

Lesson 4 • Patron Account Management

Teaches creation, updating, and maintenance of patron records. Accurate account management prevents service errors and protects patron privacy.

Lesson 1 • Fiction, Biography, and Special Collections

Covers shelving rules for materials outside standard classification schemes. Students apply alternate organization methods to diverse collection types.

Lesson 2 • Dewey Decimal Classification System

Explains the numeric logic and hierarchy of the Dewey Decimal system. Students sort and shelve nonfiction materials using correct numeric sequencing.

Lesson 3 • Library of Congress Classification

Introduces the alphanumeric structure used in academic and research libraries. Students distinguish LC call numbers and shelve items in correct order.

Lesson 4 • Shelf Reading and Maintenance

Trains students to identify and correct shelving errors through systematic shelf reading. Accurate shelves improve patron self-service and collection access.

Lesson 1 • Online Public Access Catalog

Trains students to search and interpret the OPAC from both staff and patron perspectives. Students assist patrons in locating items using catalog search strategies.

Lesson 2 • Integrated Library System Overview

Explains the modules and functions of a typical integrated library system. Students navigate the catalog, circulation, and acquisitions modules confidently.

Lesson 3 • Data Entry and Record Accuracy

Emphasizes precise data entry practices that maintain catalog and patron record integrity. Students identify and correct common data entry errors in library systems.

Lesson 4 • Digital Resource Access and Management

Addresses e-book platforms, streaming media, and digital lending workflows. Students troubleshoot common patron access issues with digital resources.

Lesson 1 • Print Reference Sources

Surveys encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, and directories as reference tools. Students select appropriate print sources for common patron questions.

Lesson 2 • Referral and Escalation Protocols

Defines when and how to escalate patron queries beyond the assistant's scope. Students apply referral protocols to legal, medical, and complex research requests.

Lesson 3 • Digital Databases and Online Resources

Introduces subscription databases, open-access resources, and search strategies. Students execute effective database searches and evaluate result quality.

Lesson 4 • The Reference Interview

Teaches structured questioning techniques to clarify patron information needs. Students practice open and closed questioning in simulated reference scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Serving Diverse Patron Populations

Addresses cultural competence, accessibility, and inclusive service delivery. Students apply equitable service practices to patrons with varied backgrounds and needs.

Lesson 2 • Effective Patron Communication

Covers verbal, nonverbal, and written communication techniques for library settings. Students adapt communication style to patron age, ability, and need.

Lesson 3 • Programming and Outreach Support

Introduces the assistant's role in supporting library programs and community outreach. Students assist in planning, promoting, and running library events.

Lesson 4 • Telephone and Virtual Patron Services

Covers professional phone etiquette and virtual service delivery via chat and email. Students handle remote patron inquiries accurately and courteously.

Lesson 1 • Preservation and Handling Practices

Explains environmental controls and proper handling that slow material deterioration. Students apply preservation principles to everyday shelving and circulation tasks.

Lesson 2 • Processing New Materials

Walks through the full workflow for preparing new items for circulation. Students apply labels, stamps, barcodes, and catalog records to incoming materials.

Lesson 3 • Basic Book Repair Techniques

Covers hands-on repair of common physical damage to library materials. Students perform minor repairs that extend item usability and reduce replacement costs.

Lesson 4 • Weeding and Deselection

Teaches criteria and procedures for removing outdated or damaged materials. Students apply standard weeding guidelines to maintain a current, useful collection.

Lesson 1 • Performance Evaluation and Feedback

Prepares students to receive, act on, and seek constructive feedback. Students develop self-assessment habits that support continuous performance improvement.

Lesson 2 • Professional Ethics and Confidentiality

Reinforces ethical obligations including intellectual freedom and patron confidentiality. Students apply ethical reasoning to realistic workplace dilemmas.

Lesson 3 • Career Pathways in Library Science

Maps advancement opportunities from library assistant to professional librarian roles. Students identify credentials, associations, and development resources for career growth.

Lesson 4 • Time Management and Task Prioritization

Teaches scheduling, prioritization, and workload management in a library environment. Students build daily work plans that balance routine and unexpected tasks.