The Library Paraprofessional

In the United States an estimated 60 percent of library workers do not hold so-called professional positions. Variously called clerks, assistants, specialists, technicians, aides, and mini-librarians, these paraprofessionals are the foundation for library services in many communities. They provide vital services, including many tasks generally associated with professional librarians, that allow libraries to function efficiently and effectively.
Despite the importance of the support staff, little attention has been given to the challenges they face on a daily basis. The issues these frontline employees encounter are often similar to those of their professional colleagues, but also include such concerns as extremely low pay, harsher working conditions, and less opportunity for advancement. This work first examines the history of the paraprofessional in librarianship and then explores the most common problems faced by support staff.