LIBRARY ASSISTANT FULL-TIME ONLY (PAY GRADE 15) AFSCME LOCAL 1607

New-Castle-County-Government; Christiana Acres (DE); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

New Castle County Government in Delaware seeks a Library Assistant to provide front-line customer service, circulation support, and general library assistance. You will handle materials handling, ILL coordination, and patron inquiries under supervision.

The role requires accuracy, strong service orientation, and the ability to follow procedures. Evening/weekend shifts and travel to branches may be needed per branch schedules.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of customer service, clerical or library experience preferred.
• Experience with shipping, inventory or materials tracking desirable for ILL duties.
• Must perform standing, bending and lifting up to ~35 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Provide front-line customer service at the circulation desk.
• Assist patrons with locating materials and using the online catalog.
• Process ILL requests using statewide resource-sharing networks.
• Prepare materials for shipment and document deliveries; verify details.
• Sort and shelve library materials; assist with processing new materials.
• Troubleshoot minor equipment; use the ILS to manage transactions.
• Assist librarians with programs and outreach and support administrative tasks.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Library systems (ILS)

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Integrated Library System (ILS)

Office software

Job description

In accordance with the Merit System Rules and Regulations, an eligible list, which will be valid for a one-year period and which will be used to fill vacancies during that period, is being established for this classification. Applicants on the eligible list will be certified in accordance with the Merit System and appropriate union contracts.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination process for this posting may include an evaluation of training and experience, a written examination, a computerized exam, an oral board interview examination, a performance examination or any combination of the above in order to qualify applicants for placement on the eligible list. The eligible list will be used to fill vacancies that occur within the next year. The appropriate number of names on the eligible list as prescribed by Merit System Section 26.03.505 will be certified to the hiring department for consideration to fill the vacant position(s).

New Castle County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The Library Assistant is a paraprofessional position responsible for providing customer service, circulation support, materials handling, and general library assistance. Where Interlibrary Loan (ILL) duties are assigned, the Library Assistant also performs specialized tasks involving requesting, receiving, processing, and shipping materials through statewide and national resource-sharing networks. Work is performed under general supervision and requires accuracy, customer-service skill, and the ability to follow established procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Public Service & Circulation

• Provide front-line customer service at the circulation desk, including check-in/check-out, patron registration, account updates, and basic readers’ advisory.
• Assist patrons in locating materials, placing holds, and using the online catalog and self-service equipment.
• Explain library policies, fines, and procedures clearly and courteously.
• Maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and orderly public environment.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Support

• Process incoming and outgoing ILL requests using statewide resource-sharing systems (e.g., Delaware Libraries catalog, intra-system delivery) and national platforms (e.g., OCLC or shared consortia tools) according to established procedures.
• Verify bibliographic information, lender availability, edition accuracy, and delivery requirements for each request.
• Prepare materials for shipment to other libraries, including packaging, labeling, and documenting transactions.
• Receive, check in, and route ILL materials to borrowers; notify patrons of arrivals to ensure timely pickup.
• Monitor due dates and coordinate returns; track overdue loans and follow up with patrons or lending libraries.
• Maintain accurate ILL statistics, logs, and records for reporting purposes.
• Communicate with lending/borrowing libraries professionally to resolve issues (lost, damaged, unavailable items).
• Assist with workflow coordination and quality control for ILL activities during assigned shifts.

Materials Handling & Collection Support

• Sort and shelve library materials in correct order; perform shelf-reading and shifting to maintain organization.
• Pull materials for holds, deliveries, and ILL requests promptly and accurately.
• Assist with processing new materials (labeling, covering, barcoding) as needed.
• Help maintain displays, bulletin boards, and merchandising of materials.

Technology & Patron Assistance

• Troubleshoot minor equipment issues and report problems requiring repair or technical attention.
• Use the integrated library system (ILS) to manage circulation transactions and patron accounts.

Programming & Outreach Support

• Assist librarians with preparation for programs (room setup, materials prep, sign-in sheets).
• Help with program delivery for children, teens, or adults under guidance of professional staff.
• Support community outreach events by preparing materials or staffing tables under supervision.

Administrative Support

• Prepare routine reports such as daily cash logs, circulation statistics, and ILL activity summaries.
• Answer phone and email inquiries; respond to routine questions or route to appropriate staff.
• Assist with maintaining supplies, ordering basic materials, and general branch organization.
• Support enforcement of library policies with tact and fairness.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of library circulation practices, materials organization, and basic public library operations.
• Skill in customer service, interpersonal communication, and working with diverse populations.
• Ability to use integrated library systems, computers, office software, and common library technologies.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to follow established procedures while recognizing when to seek guidance.
• Organizational ability to manage multiple priorities, including time-sensitive ILL activities.
• Ability to lift, sort, and move library materials efficiently.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED required; or an equivalent combination of experience, education or training directly related to the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Two (2) years of customer service, clerical or library experience preferred.
• Experience with shipping, inventory or materials tracking desirable for ILL duties.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work performed in a public library setting with extensive contact with patrons.
• Requires standing, bending and lifting library materials (up to ~35 lbs.).
• Evening and weekend work required according to branch schedule.
• May involve travel to other branches or training locations within the County.
• Must pass a Class III County physical examination and a background check.

Laura McDermott

Office of Human Resources

[e-mail]