Library Assistant

CITY UNIVERSITY AJMAN; Ajman; On-site; AED 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

CITY UNIVERSITY AJMAN is seeking a Library Assistant to support the day-to-day operations of the University Library and assist the University Librarian in providing efficient, user-focused services to students, faculty and staff. The role focuses on circulation, catalogue work, and collection management, with evening and weekend shifts.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s in LIS and have 4–6 years of relevant library experience, with KOHA experience and strong Arabic and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (LIS) is mandatory.
• Minimum 4–6 years of relevant professional experience in a library environment.
• KOHA Library Management System experience is mandatory/preferred, with circulation and catalogue knowledge.
• Strong knowledge of library operations including circulation, cataloguing, shelving and user services.
• Good command of English and Arabic languages.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day circulation activities including issuing, returning, renewing and reserving library materials.
• Assist students, faculty and staff in locating and accessing print and electronic resources.
• Support KOHA system operations including circulation, patron records, catalogue searching, and reports.
• Perform cataloguing, classification, indexing and processing of library materials.
• Create and maintain accurate bibliographic records and metadata.
• Assist with shelving, labelling, barcoding and physical preparation of materials.
• Support collection management, inventory, and stock verification.
• Assist users with the library catalogue, databases, e-books and online journals.
• Provide basic reference assistance and refer advanced queries to the University Librarian.
• Support library orientations, awareness sessions and events.
• Coordinate with university departments to ensure smooth operations.

Skills

Arabic language

English language

Customer service

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Library and Information Science

Tools

KOHA Library Management System

Job description

The Library Assistant will support the day-to-day operations of the University Library and assist the University Librarian in providing efficient accessible and user-focused library services to students faculty and staff. The position will have particular responsibility for circulation services, library system operations, user assistance, collection management, cataloguing, shelving, student support and maintaining effective library services during evening and weekend operating hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day circulation activities including issuing, returning, renewing and reserving library materials.
• Assist students, faculty and staff in locating and accessing print and electronic library resources.
• Support the routine operation of the KOHA Library Management System including circulation, patron records, catalogue searching, reports and other authorized functions.
• Perform cataloguing, classification, indexing and processing of library materials in accordance with established library standards and procedures.
• Create and maintain accurate bibliographic records, catalogue entries, subject headings, keywords and other metadata for library resources.
• Assist with the processing, labelling, barcoding, stamping and physical preparation of books and other library materials.
• Shelve and arrange library materials according to the appropriate classification system and ensure proper shelf organization.
• Support the University Librarian with collection management, inventory, stock verification and identification of missing, damaged or misplaced materials.
• Assist users with the library catalogue, electronic databases, e-books, online journals and other digital resources.
• Provide basic reference and information assistance and refer advanced research queries to the University Librarian when required.
• Support library orientations, database awareness sessions, student activities, workshops and other library events.
• Monitor library facilities, study areas, and user activities during assigned shifts and ensure compliance with library policies.
• Maintain accurate library records, statistics, reports, circulation data and other documentation.
• Assist with textbook-related library operations and other academic support activities as assigned.
• Coordinate with relevant University departments to ensure smooth library operations.
• Support library opening and closing procedures and ensure continuity of library services during assigned shifts.
• Conduct routine checks of the collection and catalogue to identify duplicate, missing, incorrectly catalogued or misplaced materials and report discrepancies.
• Provide professional and courteous assistance to library users and respond to routine enquiries.
• Perform other library-related duties as assigned by the University Librarian.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (LIS), Library Science, Information Science is mandatory.
• Minimum 4–6 years of relevant professional experience in a library environment, preferably within a university or higher education institution.
• Previous experience with KOHA Library Management System is mandatory/preferred, with practical knowledge of circulation and catalogue functions.
• Strong knowledge of library operations, including circulation, cataloguing, classification, shelving, collection management, and user services.
• Good knowledge of electronic databases, e-books, online catalogues and digital library resources.
• Fluency in Arabic is mandatory – the candidate must be able to read, write, and speak Arabic.
• Good command of English, both written and spoken.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively support students, faculty, and staff.
• Willingness and ability to work evening and weekend shifts as required.