Library Services Assistant 4

Yale University; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 66,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale University in New Haven seeks an Administrative Support staff member to provide frontline library services at Bass and Sterling Libraries, assisting patrons in person, by phone, webchat, and email, and handling loans and equipment access.

The role includes supervising student workers, maintaining statistics, and ensuring a safe, welcoming environment while following established procedures and collaborating with faculty and staff to improve service quality.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality, responsive, and user-centered service.
• Ability to work in a busy service environment with accuracy and professionalism.
• Ability to supervise student employees and coordinate team-based operations.
• Proficiency with office technology, productivity software, and library systems; ability to learn new tech.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary information source on procedures and policies for staff and patrons.
• May perform a range of public and technical library services.
• Oversee, instruct, and coordinate work of staff.
• Provide reference and research assistance to patrons and staff.
• Interviews patrons to determine scope of requests and resolves issues.
• Search bibliographic data with incomplete information across catalogs and databases.
• Acquire library materials as recommended by patrons or librarians.
• Oversee a unit budget and monitor expenditures; organize special projects.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Team coordination

Technology proficiency

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor\'s degree in a related field

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

Provides frontline support primarily at Bass and Sterling Libraries, with support to other Access and Public Services sites based on operational need. Ensures high-quality, user-centered access to library collections, services, and spaces. Staffs physical service points, answers inquiries across in-person, phone, webchat, and email channels. Processes loans for library materials and media equipment, assists patrons with microform equipment, and facilitates access to collections. Interviews patrons to determine the depth of their requests, responding directly or escalating/referring to subject specialists as appropriate.

Serves as a knowledgeable representative of the department by articulating library policies and procedures clearly and professionally. Proactively identifies and reports facilities, equipment, security, and safety concerns according to established procedures. Regularly evaluates workflows and contributes to improvements in service quality and operational efficiency. Conducts opening and closing procedures, receives deliveries, monitors library spaces, and maintains a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Assists with student employee supervision and collects, maintains, and reports operational statistics and library usage data. Based on library assignment, operational needs, staffing requirements, and area responsibilities, incumbents may perform a variety of specialized Access and Public Services functions.

Staff May

• Create and update patron accounts, troubleshoot account issues, process claims for returned or lost items, and assist and resolve fine disputes.
• Assist with virtual reference services, including patron correspondence through email and chat.
• Coordinatecourse reserves services, including processing print and electronic reserves and communicating with facultyregardingcourse materials.
• SupportResource Sharing, Scan and Deliver services, retrieval requests, and related access workflows.
• Support collection management and access activities, including serials and acquisitions workflows, bibliographic searching and verification, donor review, shelving, inventory projects, collection shifting, off-site storage transfers, retrieval services, and related collection maintenance functions.
• Provide support for special collections services, including monitoring use of materials, instructing patrons on handling procedures, and supporting archival activities.
• Support library operations through opening and closing procedures, monitoring library spaces, reporting facilities, equipment, and security concerns, receiving deliveries, and maintaining access to collections and services.
• Participate in training, documentation, workflow development, assessment, service improvement initiatives, and departmental, library-wide, or cross-unit projects.
• Provide operational guidance and training to student employees.

Schedule

Tuesday - Friday: 11:30am - 8:00pm, Saturday: 9:30am – 6pm

Required Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality, responsive, and user-centered service. Ability to develop positive working relationships with patrons, colleagues, and campus partners while contributing to an inclusive and welcoming environment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a busy service environment while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and professionalism despite frequent interruptions and competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment. Demonstrated ability to coordinate, direct, or monitor the work of student employees and contribute effectively to team-based operations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with office technology, productivity software, and library systems. Ability to learn new technologies and troubleshoot common software, hardware, and equipment issues.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated reliability, initiative, adaptability, and ability to prioritize and complete complex assignments accurately.

Preferred Skills And Abilities

• High level of familiarity with Alma Circulation

Physical Requirements

Ability to push loaded book trucks; carry packages, boxes, or books up to 35 pounds; reach high shelves using step stools or ladders; bend to low shelving areas; stand or sit for scheduled hours; and tolerate dust and other conditions associated with library collections.

Principal Responsibilities

• Serves as a primary source of information on established procedures and policies for staff and patrons.
• May perform a range of public and technical services functions.
• Oversees, instructs, revises, the work or coordinates work activities of staff.
• Provides research assistance to patrons and staff in writing and at reference desk.
• Interviews patron to determine scope and depth of request. Identifies and resolves problems.
• Searches for bibliographic data with incomplete information or source material in catalogs, reference sources, files, and databases.
• Acquires library material that has been recommended by patrons or librarians.
• Oversees a unit budget. Monitors expenditures, reconciles statements and maintains records. Organizes special projects.
• Performs functions incidental to library activities.
• Required Education and Experience Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Job Posting Date

09/25/2026

Job Category

Administrative Support

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade D

Hourly Range

$31.83

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.