Library Assistant - Temporary Part-Time

Oakville; Oakville; On-site; CAD 33,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Oakville Public Library is seeking a Library Assistant to support branch services and materials handling at the Iroquois Ridge Branch. This temporary part-time role (20 hours per week) runs to July 22, 2027, with shifts including days, evenings, and weekends, reporting to branch leadership.

You will greet customers, promote library services, manage holds, assist with self-checkout, handle RFID workflows, shelving, and routine operations while upholding AODA and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Secondary School Diploma with at least one year of customer service experience.
• Experience with library systems, RFID or similar tech is an asset.
• Ability to learn and use library technologies and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers and deliver customer-first service across interactions.
• Promote library services, locate holds, and assist at self-checkout kiosks.
• Handle materials workflow: sorting, shelving, RFID checks, and shelf-reading.
• Support program setup, room bookings, and branch operations with accuracy.
• Follow safety, accessibility, and health policies in daily tasks.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Adaptability

Time management

Education

Secondary School Diploma

Tools

RFID technology

Integrated Library System (ILS)

Microsoft Office

Library technologies

Job description

Employment Status: Temporary part-time to July 22, 2027 (CUPE5348)
Primary Location: Iroquois Ridge Branch
Reason for Vacancy: Internal movement
Hours: 20 hours per week with ability to work all shifts (days, evenings, and weekends)
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 escape 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.