Library Associate I

Pender County Government; Hampstead (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Pender County Government is seeking a part-time Library Associate I to deliver essential library services, including customer service, materials processing, and program support. The role may serve Technical Services, Youth Services, or Teen & Adult Services, with duties varying by department and a commitment to excellent patron service.

Position is part-time permanent, 24 hours per week, with a start date of October 26th, contingent on background checks.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; an associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Previous library or customer service experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with focus on customer service.
• Proficiency with computers, library software (ILS), and office equipment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and adapt to various library tasks.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide front-line customer service at the circulation desk: check materials in/out and assist with policies and accounts.
• Provide reference and readers’ advisory services to patrons of all ages.
• Assist patrons with locating materials, using the catalog, and accessing online resources.
• Shelve materials and maintain well-organized collections.
• Process materials for circulation: labeling, covering, and shelving prep.
• Prepare displays and promotional materials for programs and events.
• Register patrons for programs and manage meeting room requests.
• Maintain records: overdue items, holds, and statistics; data entry.

Skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Computer proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Library software (ILS)

Job description

The Library Associate I performs a variety of essential library services, including customer service, materials processing, program support, and administrative tasks. This position provides assistance at the circulation desk, supports library programs, helps maintain library collections, and may be assigned to specific departments, such as Technical Services, Youth Services, or Teen & Adult Services. Duties will vary depending on department assignment, with all positions sharing a commitment to excellent patron service. Assists with other duties as needed or assigned.

This position is part‑time permanent position based on 24 hours per week.

The start date for this position is October 26th and is contingent upon successful completion of both an internal and North Carolina state background check.

Qualification Requirements

General Duties

• Provide front-line customer service at the circulation desk: register patrons, check materials in and out, and assist with library policies and accounts.
• Provide reference and readers’ advisory services to patrons of all ages, guiding them in finding relevant materials.
• Assist patrons with locating materials, using the library catalog, accessing online resources, and troubleshooting library technology.
• Shelve materials and assist in keeping the library’s collections well-organized and tidy.
• Process library materials for circulation, including labeling, covering, and preparing items for shelving.
• Prepare library displays and promotional materials for library programs and events.
• Register patrons for library programs and manage meeting room requests.
• Assist with the maintenance of records, including overdue materials, holds, and library statistics.
• Perform routine clerical duties such as data entry and maintaining inventory for supplies.
• Assist in training new staff and volunteers.
• Provide additional support as needed across library departments.

Department‑Specific Duties

Technical Services

• Catalog and classify materials according to established guidelines and procedures.

Youth Services

• Assist with children’s programming, including storytimes, crafts, and educational activities.
• Support special library events such as Summer Reading programs and early literacy initiatives.

Teen and Adult Services

• Assist with teen and adult programming, including book clubs, arts and crafts, games, and educational events.

• High school diploma or GED required; an associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience in a library or customer service setting preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with a focus on providing excellent customer service.
• Proficiency with computers, library software (ILS), and office equipment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and adapt to various library tasks.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Valid driver's license in the State of North Carolina.

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions, frequently requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting and occasionally requires climbing or balancing; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices).