Circulation Assistant

ubc; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

The Koerner Library at UBC Library is seeking a Circulation Assistant to provide public service, handle circulation tasks, and support patrons across shifts including evenings and weekends.

This 0.6 FTE part-time role involves duties such as managing fines, issuing library cards, and helping users navigate the catalogue while ensuring safe, smooth library operations.

Responsibilities

• Performs the full range of circulation duties, including charging, discharging, renewing materials and equipment.
• Issues and renews library cards, verifies identity, and handles borrower records.
• Provides routine information assistance and navigates the UBC Library catalogue.
• Interprets policies, performs basic troubleshooting on equipment, stocks supplies, and supports safety and security.

Job description

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 2950

Job Profile

CUPE 2950 Salaried - Pub Svc Library Asst 2 (Gr4)

Job Title

Circulation Assistant

Department

UBC Library | Koerner Library | Program Assistance

Compensation Range

$4,281.00 - $4,386.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

October 3, 2026

Job End Date

Ongoing

This is a part time position at 0.6 FTE, salary will be prorated.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

POSITION FUNCTION:

The Koerner Library provides a dynamic learning environment for students, faculty and visitors to UBC. Koerner Library's print and electronic collections, services, and technology are designed to facilitate coursework, studying, and research with a focus on the Humanities and Social Sciences. Koerner Library Assistants provide and support programs and services that directly meet the needs of students, faculty and staff within the UBC Library. The incumbent provides public service, journal/microform support and office support including circulation, stacks maintenance, equipment maintenance, mail room assistance and safety and security functions in Koerner Library. Duties also include administrative support to librarians, including updating guides and websites, and providing directional, basic information, reference, and referral services. The position may work at other UBC Vancouver Library branches or units, as required. Works a variety of shifts, including opening, closing, evenings and weekends, as required. During evening and weekend shifts, serves as the sole circulation desk attendant and is responsible for all issues related to patron service, the coordination of student assistant activities, and emergencies.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under the direct supervision of the Public Services Supervisor and the general direction of the Manager, Koerner Library. Works cooperatively with Koerner Library Assistants and Librarians and may receive work assignments from other library specialists or librarians in the branch. Consults with other staff as necessary. Evenings and weekends, works in tandem and cooperatively with an accompanying Library Assistant to coordinate and supervise the work of evening junior Library Assistants and Library Student Assistants and to ensure building, user, and collection safety and security. Works directly with the public.

DUTIES:

• Performs the full range of circulation duties, which will include evening and weekend shifts. Charging, discharging and renewing library materials and equipment. Retrieving items held at the circulation desk for users and couriers. Reinstating or suspending borrowers. Accepting payment for library fines or other services and answering general queries about invoices. Checking returned materials for recalls/holds, damage and completeness. Adding and changing barcodes. Placing holds, recalls, storage requests, and rush cataloguing requests, and clearing the holds shelf. Approving the extension of reserve loans. Assisting library users in completing processes related to equipment lending, guest IDs, and other activities related to access. Tracing missing items.
• Issues and renews all categories of library cards. Ascertains eligibility of applicants, verifies applicant's identity according to institutional standards, matches applicant to an appropriate library card category, determines if payment is required, and creates or amends the patron's library record. Responds to all library card and patron problems by resolving the issue or referring library users appropriately.
• Performs library opening and closing procedures as assigned, alone or with a colleague.
• Provides routine information assistance to library users. Answers directional, known item, basic, and information requests regarding library holdings, programs, and services. Answers facilities information requests, including non-library spaces relevant to the branch location. Demonstrates how to navigate UBC Library catalogue and website as well as other relevant resources such as booking of study rooms. Refers in-depth or complex queries to librarians, AskAway, or other units, as appropriate. Records reference and other branch statistics in current data tracking tool.
• Interprets library user and circulation records and modifies records where appropriate. Accepts and responds to queries on library policies and procedures. Explains and enforces applicable library policies and procedures.
• Performs basic troubleshooting on library equipment including copiers, printers, computers, micro reader/printer, and staplers. Stocks, cleans, and orders supplies as needed. Performs rout