Library Assistant - Casual

TOWN OF OAKVILLE; Oakville; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Oakville Public Library is seeking a casual Library Assistant to support branch services, materials handling, and operations across all branch locations in Oakville, Ontario. The role emphasizes customer-first service, RFID-enabled workflows, and program support.

The position requires a Secondary School Diploma with at least one year in a customer service setting, preferably in a library, and familiarity with ILS, RFID, and Microsoft Office is an asset.

Qualifications

• Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of one (1) year related work experience in a customer service environment, preferably in a library environment.
• Experience with an integrated library system (ILS), RFID technology, Microsoft Office, and library technologies and equipment is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers and proactively offer customer-first service across all interactions, promoting OPL services with enthusiasm and directing customers to appropriate staff for assistance.
• Understand and promote OPL's collections, spaces, programs, services, and technologies. Accurately interpret OPL policies, procedures, and key messaging to guide service delivery.
• Support customer access to library materials and services by answering directional questions, locating holds or items, and assisting at self-checkout kiosks to ensure a smooth experience.
• Complete all materials handling workflows, including emptying book drops, sorting, RFID checks, shelving, shelf-reading, and maintenance lists; operate sorting equipment and report issues.
• Support branch services and library operations, including collection maintenance, room setup, tidying, and opening/closing duties.
• Resolve issues or elevate to designated staff; foster continuous learning through professional development and working groups.
• Comply with AODA, OHSA, WSA, and Health & Safety program requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Secondary School Diploma

Tools

Integrated library system (ILS)

RFID technology

Microsoft Office

Job description

Employment Status: Casual (CUPE 5348)

Primary Location: All branch locations

Reason for Vacancy: Resignation

Hours: Casual staff have no regularly scheduled hours but may be offered work within their classification at any branch. There is no guarantee of hours for casual staff.

Availability: Casual staff are required to provide availability across days, evenings and weekends including a minimum of two (2) evenings per week and two (2) weekends (Saturday and Sunday) over a four-week period.

Rate of Pay: $24.81 - $29.19 hourly

Posting Status: Open to all current OPL employees and external applicants

Oakville Public Library is seeking someone who is dedicated to service excellence, demonstrates curiosity and a learning mindset, fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, and is a passionate advocate for literacy and innovation in public libraries.

Reporting to branch leadership, the Library Assistant supports branch services to the public, collection and materials handling workflows, and library operations at the branch.

What you'll do

As a Library Assistant you will:

• Greet customers and proactively offer customer-first service across all interactions, promoting OPL services with enthusiasm and directing customers to appropriate staff for assistance.
• Understand and promote OPL's collections, spaces, programs, services, and technologies. Accurately interpret OPL policies, procedures, and key messaging to guide service delivery.
• Support customer access to library materials and services by answering directional questions, locating their holds or specific items in physical collections, directing customers to appropriate staff for further assistance, and providing help at self-checkout kiosks when appropriate to ensure a smooth and efficient experience.
• Complete all materials handling workflows, including but not limited to emptying book drops and sorters, checking in materials using RFID technology, sorting and shelving items, shelf-reading, and maintaining shelf organization and displays. Operate and troubleshoot sorting equipment, process circulation and collection maintenance lists, and identify and report issues with library materials.
• Support branch services and library operations, including but not limited to collection maintenance tasks, room setup for programs and room bookings, general branch tidying tasks, and branch opening and closing duties.
• Resolve issues or elevate to designated in-charge staff, or branch or on-call leadership as appropriate.
• Foster continuous learning by engaging in professional development activities, participating in working groups, and applying new knowledge and skills to enhance job performance.
• Work in compliance with the provisions of the AODA customer service standard, Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, other relevant health and safety legislation, and the OPL's Health & Safety Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Is this a good fit for you?

We're looking for someone who can:

• Provide excellent customer service in dynamic and busy environments, and champion the values of equitable access, curiosity, belonging, lifelong learning, intellectual freedom, and exceptional service.
• Understand OPL's collections, spaces, programs, services, and technologies.
• Proactively engage customers and connect them to staff for assistance, approaching every interaction with enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to help.
• Exercise good judgment to prioritize customer-first service and make values-based decisions.
• Sustain strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and multitask effectively, and perform all work with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to actively listen, follow written instructions, and clearly share information.
• Work independently and as part of a team through effective collaboration and strong interpersonal skills.
• Respond effectively to change, demonstrating curiosity and a learning mindset.
• Handle the physical requirements of the job including lifting library materials, reaching to place materials on shelves, pushing carts, and frequent standing, walking and bending.

Your experience and educational background:

• Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of one (1) year related work experience in a customer service environment, preferably in a library environment.
• Experience with an integrated library system (ILS), RFID technology, Microsoft Office, and library technologies and equipment is considered an asset.

Who are we?

Oakville Public Library strives to fulfill our mission of bringing together people, information, and ideas to enrich lives and build healthy communities. We are focused on exceptional customer service to meet the needs of the children, youth, adults, and seniors utilizing our physical or online services. We continue to be agile in our mandate to meet the needs of the residents of Oakville.

What's it like to work at Oakville Public Library?

It's challenging, stimulating, and hugely rewarding. Our positions offer tremendous diversity and excellent opportunities for professional growth. Every day, we commit to providing access to tangible resources and programs that inspire, encourage, and provoke thought for the residents of Oakville.

Oakville Public Library uses the Town of Oakville's recruitment software. The Town's recruitment software includes elements of artificial intelligence to assist in the screening and short-listing of qualified candidates.

The Oakville Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) within our recruitment process upon request. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]

A Security Clearance Check will be required for all employees and volunteers of the Oakville Public Library. Successful applicants must submit the Security Check (dated within the last six months) prior to or on the first day of employment.

The Oakville Public Library endeavours to provide a safe environment for all its employees. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.