Library Assistant

Library Jobline; Providence, Northern (RI, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The Providence Athenæum seeks Library Assistants to serve members, students, and visitors at the circulation desk and visitor center. Duties emphasize clerical, paraprofessional, and library-based tasks with strong customer service. Staff work under the Circulation Librarian.

A regular commitment of 16-24 hours per week, including weekends, is required, with duties spanning information delivery, circulation, memberships, and light sales support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Substantial customer service experience in library, retail, historic tourism, or clerical setting.
• Basic computer literacy, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and typing skills.
• Ability to stand, sit, lift, stoop, walk, and move library materials.
• Punctuality and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Welcoming members and visitors and providing general information about the library, programs, and collections.
• Circulating library materials, including holds, renewals, and requests.
• Explaining membership benefits and policies; processing memberships.
• Orienting visitors to the library and answering general tourism-related questions.
• Handling sales transactions, including visitor donations, merchandise sales, and membership dues.
• Performing routine shelving of library materials and processing new periodicals.
• Processing incoming mail and phone calls and directing to appropriate staff.
• Preparing merchandise items for sale, including inventorying, packaging, and replenishing displays.
• Providing light reference help and readers’ advisory for members.
• Performing other duties as assigned to support the organization.

Skills

Customer service

Clerical work

Paraprofessional duties

Front desk

Education

Bachelor’s degree or Associate degree

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Typing

Job description

Library Assistants at the Providence Athenæum provide services to members, students, and visitors while working at the circulation desk and in the visitor center. Duties for this position involve clerical, paraprofessional, and library-based work, with a strong emphasis on excellent customer service. Staff must be courteous, efficient, and helpful, and must represent the institution well in this front-facing position. Library Assistants work under the general supervision of the Circulation Librarian.

A regular commitment of 16-24 hours per week, including weekends, is required.

Duties

• Welcoming members and visitors and providing general information about the library, programs, collections, etc.
• Circulating library materials, including holds, renewals, and requests.
• Explaining membership benefits and policies; processing memberships.
• Orienting visitors to the library and answering general tourism-related questions.
• Handling sales transactions, including visitor donations, merchandise sales, and membership dues.
• Performing routine shelving of library materials and processing new periodicals.
• Processing incoming mail and phone calls and directing to appropriate staff.
• Preparing merchandise items for sale, including inventorying, packaging, and replenishing displays.
• Providing light reference help and readers’ advisory for members.
• Performing other duties as assigned to support the organization. For example: program support (e.g., setting up chairs for reading groups; checking in members at a program), technical services assistance (processing books); etc.

Benefits & Additional Compensation Info

All Library Assistants start at $17.94/hour, with regularly scheduled raises at six months and one year of service.

Additional Info & Requirements

Requirements and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Substantial customer service experience in a library, retail, historic tourism, or clerical setting.
• Basic computer literacy, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and typing skills.
• Ability to stand, sit, lift, stoop, walk, climb stairs, and move library materials.
• Ability to perform routine work accurately, follow instruction and procedures, and work independently.
• Punctuality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and pleasant working relationships with library members, visitors, and staff.

The Community

The Providence Athenæum is an independent, member-supported library located on Providence’s historic Benefit Street.

Over its nearly 200 years of existence, the library has welcomed illustrious writers, spirited thinkers, and engaged community members through its doors to read, learn, gather, and debate. Our mission is to enrich the mind, inspire the spirit, and elevate the public discourse.

The Athenæum was founded in 1836, and predates the establishment of public libraries. All are invited to join as members, visit the building, explore our history, engage with the collections, participate in programs, and be part of the Athenæum’s ongoing story!