Throughout the library, assistants sort returned books, publications, and other items and return them to their designated shelves, files, or storage areas. They locate materials to be loaned, either to a patron or to another library. Many card catalogues are computerized, so library assistants must be familiar with the computer system for their particular library. If any of the materials have been damaged, these workers repair them, if possible. For example, they use tape or paste to repair torn pages or book covers and other specialized processes to repair more valuable materials.
Some library assistants specialize in helping patrons with vision problems, including blindness.
They select those materials or closely related substitutes from the library collection of large type or braille volumes, tape cassettes, and open-reel talking books. They do the necessary paperwork and give or mail them to the borrower. To extend library services to as wide an audience as possible, many libraries operate bookmobiles. Bookmobile drivers drive vans stocked with books or drive light trucks that pull a book trailer to designated sites on a regular schedule. Bookmobiles serve community organizations such as shopping centers, apartment complexes, schools, and nursing homes.