Library Clerk V – Access Services – Patrick Power Library (Bargaining Unit 179)

Jobbe; Halifax; On-site; CAD 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Defined Contribution Pension plan

Vacation

Holiday closure

Summer hour schedule

Transit EPass

Job summary

Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is seeking a Library Student Assistant supervisor to direct and coordinate student staff at the Patrick Power Library. The role involves organizing interview and hiring processes, managing service desk coverage, and handling routine and non-routine inquiries.

The position emphasizes strong customer service, organization, and communication skills, with expectations of independent work within a team and familiarity with MS Office and library

Qualifications

• University degree and one year experience in an academic Library, or Library and Information Technician (LIT) diploma and two years related library experience.
• Experience directing, coordinating, and scheduling casual staff is an asset.
• Excellent customer service skills with attention to details and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to function independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office, internet, and e‑mail applications.
• Good working knowledge of an academic library and its resources.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Directs and coordinates the work of Student Assistants. Consults and coordinates with staff regarding student assistant assignments.
• Organizes the full-time access services staff to initiate the interview/hiring process of Student Assistants.
• Handles inquiries and problems of a non-routine nature referred by staff.
• Communicates with patrons in person, by telephone, email, text messaging service and/or correspondence.
• Assigns staff to hourly shifts on the service desk, following pre-determined library hours and by considering how many staff are needed at various times.
• Ensures that the service desk has an assigned staff member and backup, and that meals, breaks, holidays, exam periods and unusual circumstances are covered.
• Co-ordinates Access Services staff in the compilation of the registrar's list, a listing of students who have outstanding books or considerable fines at libraries within Novanet. Inclusion in this list leads to withholding of marks and transcripts. Verifies and adjusts charges owing to consortia libraries.
• Adds and removes the charges and holds on the student's University Banner account.
• Collects records of fines paid daily; checks against a daily report generated by Financial Services. Adjusts and removes charges and holds on the student's University Banner account by checking fines paid at the library and after notification of Library fines paid at the University's Service Centre.
• Charges out, discharges and renews library laptops.
• Separates and distributes items with Holds and materials being returned from/to Novanet and Public libraries.
• Maintains Stacks, gathers Pick-ups, ensures returned items are sensitized, and prepares book/periodical trucks for re-shelving. Double discharges completed trucks.
• Operates cash register and handles Point-of-Sale transactions.
• Refunds deposit on outdated Photocopy cards, processes In-Coming and Out-Going faxes.
• Checks patron identification.
• Follows emergency procedures when alarm system is activated.
• Notifies campus security in cases of emergency such as power failure, medical emergency, robbery, or threatening confrontation.
• Desensitizes outgoing materials. Checks patrons' personal belongings for library materials when security alarm sounds.

Skills

Customer service

Organization

Communication

Attention to detail

MS Office

Education

University degree or LIT diploma

Library experience (1–2 years)

Tools

MS Office

Email apps

Internet

Job description

Opportunity

Saint Mary’s University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Full-time – Permanent

Date Posted: September 2nd, 2026

Posting Deadline: September 16th, 2026

Department: Patrick Power Library

Group Affiliation: Bargaining Unit 179, Group 6 ($43,410- $51,418 annually)

Salary: $43,410 - $51,418 CAD yearly

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Defined Contribution Pension plan
• Vacation
• Holiday closure
• Summer hour schedule
• Employee Transit EPass through Halifax Transit

Job Information And Responsibilities

• Directs and co-ordinates the work of Student Assistants. Consults and co-ordinates with staff regarding student assistant assignments.
• Organizes the full-time access services staff to initiate the interview/hiring process of Student Assistants.
• Handles inquiries and problems of a non-routine nature referred by staff.
• Communicates with patrons in person, by telephone, email, text messaging service and/or correspondence.
• Assigns staff to hourly shifts on the service desk, following pre-determined library hours and by considering how many staff are needed at various times.
• Ensures that the service desk has an assigned staff member and backup, and that meals, breaks, holidays, exam periods and unusual circumstances are covered.
• Co-ordinates Access Services staff in the compilation of the registrar's list, a listing of students who have outstanding books or considerable fines at libraries within Novanet. Inclusion in this list leads to withholding of marks and transcripts. Verifies and adjusts charges owing to consortia libraries.
• Adds and removes the charges and holds on the student's University Banner account.
• Collects records of fines paid daily; checks against a daily report generated by Financial Services. Adjusts and removes charges and holds on the student's University Banner account by checking fines paid at the library and after notification of Library fines paid at the University's Service Centre.
• Charges out, discharges and renews library laptops.
• Separates and distributes items with Holds and materials being returned from/to Novanet and Public libraries.
• Maintains Stacks, gathers Pick-ups, ensures returned items are sensitized, and prepares book/periodical trucks for re-shelving. Double discharges completed trucks.
• Operates cash register and handles Point-of-Sale transactions.
• Refunds deposit on outdated Photocopy cards, processes In-Coming and Out-Going faxes.
• Checks patron identification.
• Follows emergency procedures when alarm system is activated.
• Notifies campus security in cases of emergency such as power failure, medical emergency, robbery, or threatening confrontation.
• Desensitizes outgoing materials. Checks patrons' personal belongings for library materials when security alarm sounds.

Experience And Education Requirements

• University degree and one (1) year experience in an academic Library, or Library and Information Technician (LIT) diploma and (2) two years related library experience.
• Experience in directing, coordinating, and scheduling of casual staff is an asset.
• Excellent customer service skills with attention to details and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to function independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office, internet, and e‑mail applications.
• Good working knowledge of an academic library and its resources.
• Excellent communication skills.

Application Details

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three Professional References

At Saint Mary's University equity and diversity are integral to excellence and enrich our community. As an institution committed to fostering an environment of inclusion and respect, we welcome applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity and others who might contribute to the growth and enrichment of our community.

Learn more about working at Saint Mary's University here and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

The Collective Agreement can be viewed here.

Saint Mary’s University is one of Canada's top primarily undergraduate universities known for its international collaborations, leadership in entrepreneurship, and research that benefits local and global communities. Our programs in Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and the Sobey School of Business are among Canada's best and feature professors who are committed to the success of their students. Saint Mary's provides our more than 5,511 students with a place that fosters possibility, excellent research opportunities, and distinguished graduate and professional programs combined with a caring community. Nestled in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada's east coast, Saint Mary's University is marked by iconic buildings, green spaces and fresh ocean air. The Saint Mary's University community is committed to a prosperous future for the world-a World without limits.