Library Circulation Assistant at Whitman College

Whitman College; Walla Walla (WA); Hybrid; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA seeks a Library Circulation Assistant to support the Penrose Library Circulation Desk, check out items, assist patrons, and route questions. This student position offers part-time hours and practical exposure to library workflows.

Responsibilities include shelving, scanning articles, handling shipments, and answering patron inquiries with accuracy and courtesy. Some lifting is required, and punctuality is essential for shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience providing service to customers or the public.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Reliable, punctual and able to arrive on time for shifts.
• Ability to lift up to 10 lbs frequently and handle light materials.

Responsibilities

• Provide service to library patrons at the Circulation Desk.
• Answer basic questions about policies, services, and materials.
• Answer phone calls and route them as needed.
• Check out and return items with accuracy.
• Shelve materials following LOC and alphabetical order, at ground level and overhead.
• Create photocopy scans of articles and book chapters.
• Maintain stacks (inventory, neat shelves, lift-to-shelves).
• Prepare shipments and label packages for delivery.
• Occasionally lift incoming deliveries up to 30 lbs.

Skills

Customer service experience

Follow written and verbal instructions

Punctuality

Lift up to 10 lbs frequently

Education

Whitman student eligibility (at least 6 credits)

Graduation year Spring 2029 or later

Availability to work specific shifts (Fall 2026, Spring 2026)

Job description

JOB TITLE: Library Circulation Assistant
HIRING RANGE: $17.13-17.13/hour
START DATE: September 29, 2026

JOB PURPOSE
Library Circulation Assistants provide helpful customer service to the Whitman College and Walla Walla communities at the Penrose Library Circulation Desk. Additionally, they perform routine tasks like pulling and shelving to ensure library users can find what they need.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provides service to library patrons at the Circulation Desk
• Answers basic questions about library policies, services, and materials
• Answers phone calls and routes them appropriately
• Returns and checks out items for patrons with a high level of accuracy
• Retrieves and shelves materials following Library of Congress and alphabetical organization, including to and from ground-level and overhead shelving
• Creates photocopy scans of requested articles and book chapters
• Performs stacks maintenance (such as performing inventory, neatening materials on shelves and moving library materials) including to and from ground-level and overhead shelving
• Prepares shipments and label packages for delivery and shipping
• Occasionally lifts incoming deliveries of up to 30 lbs

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Individuals must be able to explain and demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Experience providing service or interacting with customers, patrons, or the general public
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to consistently arrive on time for scheduled shifts
• Ability to lift up to 10 lbs frequently, including to and from ground level and overhead shelving
• Ability to perform the principal duties with or without a reasonable accommodation

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED FROM EXPERIENCE

Interacting with and serving a diverse campus community at the Circulation Desk is the core responsibility of each Library Circulation Assistant. Accordingly, applicants can expect to gain experience providing inclusive customer service in a front desk environment.

The practice of demonstrating the library's digital resources will strengthen applicants' ability to navigate digital catalogs and databases and will give them experience demonstrating these resources to others. Given that library work is detail-oriented, this position provides applicants the opportunity to strengthen their attention to detail, follow written instructions, and troubleshoot problems that arise.

Finally, many Library Circulation Assistants appreciate the opportunity to develop informal ties with Librarians and other Library staff. These ties often introduce students to new library and information services and research skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current enrollment as a Whitman Student for at least 6 credits
• A target graduation year of Spring 2029 or later
• Availability to work at least 6 hours a week over Fall 2026. At least 4 hours during the following shifts:
  • Sun: 1 pm - 3 pm
  • Tues: 10 am - noon
  • Wed: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Availability to work at least 6 hours a week during Spring 2026

TIMELINE

• Opening date: Friday, August 28 (12 am)
• Estimated interview decision dates: September 9 - 15
• Estimated interview dates: September 16 - 23
• Estimated final decision dates: October 1 - 6
• Preferred start date: October 6 -12

SUPERVISOR NAME: Ari Kirby, Access Service Manager
SUPERVISOR CONTACT: [e-mail]
DATE POSTED: August 29, 2026