Library Associate II

City-of-Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 75,793,000 - 92,115,000; Part time

Job summary

Seattle Public Library is seeking a part-time Library Associate II to provide friendly, responsive customer service at the Central Library in Seattle. The role handles check-ins/outs, registrations, fees, and basic information services while supporting shelving and materials processing.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED, 2+ years of customer service experience, and comfort with Microsoft Office and library catalogs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least two years of customer service experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and library catalogs is preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and push wheeled book carts.
• Fluency in Amharic, Chinese, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya or Vietnamese is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Check in/out materials, renew and reserve items, and register patrons for library cards.
• Collect fees and resolve patron account issues according to policy.
• Assist patrons with using library resources, equipment and online catalogs.
• Maintain records, compile statistics and support outreach and events.
• Provide friendly, professional customer service at circulation desks.

Skills

Customer service

English communication

De-escalation skills

Physical stamina

POS terminal operation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Cash registers

Library catalogs

POS terminals

Job description

Invitation to Compete #45-26: Library Associate II (BRS)

Borrower Services

Central Library, 1000 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104

Regular, FLSA non-exempt, part-time (72 hours per pay period)

Schedule:

Week 1: Wed 9am-6pm, Thur 11am-8pm, Fri 9am-6pm Sat OFF, Sun OFF, Mon OFF, Tues 9am-6pm

Week 2: Wed 9am-6pm, Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri OFF, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm, Mon OFF, Tues 9am-6pm

Salary Range: $29.39 - $35.72 per hour

A pay period is two weeks in length that starts on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. The schedule listed for this position is subject to change based on the Library’s current operational need and is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME.

This recruitment is open to the public and to the Seattle Public Library’s employees

Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information. Candidates are asked to submit their application materials in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on October 9, 2026, to be considered.

Please note:

This recruitment may be used for up to 90 days following the closing date of this posting to fill regular and temporary Library Associate II vacancies.

Overview

The Seattle Public Library’s mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive. Since 1891, we have grown from a single reading room in Pioneer Square to a world-class library system with 27 locations.

The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others. If you share these values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for this Library Associate II position.

The Library Associate II classification is a rewarding, albeit physically demanding, position that is responsible for providing friendly, responsive customer service to patrons and clerical support. Primary duties include checking in and checking out materials, registering patrons for library cards, collecting fees, resolving patron account disputes, providing basic information services for Library patrons, and assisting patrons with the use of Library equipment and resources.

Additional responsibilities may include maintaining computer and manual files; processing new material, reserves and department interlibrary loan requests; answering telephones, typing and filing records, data entry, maintaining statistics and providing support in shelving and retrieving materials, when needed.

Borrower Services staff working at the Circulation Desks on Level 1 and Level 3 of the Central Library in Downtown Seattle serve library patrons and visitors from all walks of life, including people who are experiencing homelessness, veterans, immigrants and refugees, older adults, families and others.

Provide Circulation and Lending Services for Patrons:

Provides friendly, responsive customer service for patrons in person, by phone and email. Checks materials in and out, renews and reserves materials; collects fees; registers patrons for library cards; resolves patron account issues; applies the Library’s circulation policies and procedures; gives directions or information to patrons regarding the location and use of Library materials, equipment and resources; and assesses the nature of, responding to, and effectively resolving, a variety of related issues.

Assists with the Flow and Organization of Library Materials:

Sorts, files, shelves and routes books and a wide variety of other materials; lifts and transports books and materials using book carts, hand trucks and similar equipment; uses automated systems; locates and retrieves materials for processing; maintains the order and appearance of materials, re-shelves as needed; and retrieves materials for patrons and Library staff.

Assists with the Enforcement of the Library’s Policies and Procedures:

Applies the Library’s borrower policies and circulation procedures when interacting with patrons at circulation desks. Maintains a welcoming environment for everyone, including interacting with patrons regarding the Library’s Community Use Agreement by using de‑escalation skills to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for patrons.

Performs Support Duties:

Gathers information or data; maintains records and files; compiles statistics; and assists with various projects such as processing damaged materials, updating records and/or developing reports. Provides circulation support for outreach and events at the Central Library.

Education:

A high school diploma or a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) is required.

Customer Service Experience:

At least two years of providing customer service to a diverse public in a fast‑paced environment. A candidate’s experience must demonstrate the ability to apply exemplary customer service standards in dealing with the public on complex customer issues as they pertain to organizational policies and procedures. Previous experience working in a library setting is preferred but not required.

Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills:

Candidates must be able to effectively respond to patron communications in person, on the telephone, and by email; specifically the ability to listen to and understand customer concerns, assess available options and respond accurately and appropriately. Candidates must also be able to respond to patron requests for directional assistance. Candidates must be able to effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing, as well as comprehend spoken and written English.

Experience using Personal Computers and Office Equipment:

Candidates must have experience operating point‑of‑sale/​service computer terminals that use menu‑based commands to obtain, interpret, and display data and information related to customer accounts. Candidates must have experience with using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook email, Excel and Word), internet browsers and online catalogs. Candidates must have experience using general office equipment, such as fax machines, photocopiers, printers and cash registers.

Organizational Skills:

Candidates must be able to learn to sort books or other materials alphabetically and numerically, quickly, accurately and safely, and must be able to learn sorting and library filing schemes, such as the Dewey Decimal system. Candidates must also be able to organize and maintain information in an electronic format in shared network files.

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

Candidates must be flexible in adjusting their work hours and locations. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work independently and with others as part of a team and have the ability to understand and apply verbal and written instructions. Candidates must also be able to bend, stretch, stoop, and lift up to 40 pounds in weight and push wheeled book carts weighing up to 200 pounds. Candidates must also have the ability to squeeze and release hand brakes on wheeled book carts.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with racially, culturally and economically diverse communities.
• Experience interacting with immigrant families, new English speakers, people experiencing housing insecurity, and community members who are living with addiction or mental illness.
• Fluency in Amharic, Chinese, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, and/or Vietnamese is helpful.
• Familiarity with de‑escalation techniques for challenging behaviors and demonstrated experience using those skills.
• Experience with merchandise handling and/or inventory tracking.

Benefits and Salary Information:

The full salary range for this position is $29.39 - $35.72 per hour

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Information about retirement plans can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/retirement

Additional Information:

If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to [e-mail]. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.

Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.