Library Services Assistant, Access & Public Services

Yale Cancer Center; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale Library in New Haven, CT seeks a ready-to-serve staff member to provide frontline access and public services across sites, with responsibilities at Marx Library. You will assist patrons, direct referrals to librarians, and help maintain a welcoming environment while supporting operations and workflows.

Schedule: Sunday–Thursday, 1:30 pm–10:00 pm. Requires six years of related work experience (or equivalent education).

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality, user-centered service.
• Ability to work in a busy service environment with accuracy and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and supervise student employees.
• Proficiency with office technology and library systems.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary information source 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 at reference desk.
• Interviews patrons to determine scope and depth of request.
• Searches for bibliographic data with incomplete information or source material in catalogs, references sources, files, and databases.
• Acquires library material recommended by patrons or librarians.
• Oversees a unit budget; monitors expenditures and maintains records.
• Performs functions incidental to library activities.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Team coordination

Independence

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in related field

Associate's degree

Tools

Alma Circulation

Interlibrary Loan

Reserves processing

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!

Salary Range

$31.83

Job Requisition ID

137160WD

Overview
This position provides coverage primarily at Marx Library and supports other Access and Public Services sites based on operational need. Provides frontline support for public services and operational functions, ensuring high-quality, user-centered access to library collections, services, and spaces. Delivers service desk support and facilitates referrals to librarians and subject specialists as needed. May serve as staff in charge during assigned shifts and contributes to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all library users. Assists faculty, students, staff, alumni, and visitors in navigating library resources through in-person, phone, email, and other communication channels. Serves as a knowledgeable representative of the department, articulating policies and procedures clearly and professionally. Troubleshoots patron account issues, identifies resolutions, and escalates concerns when appropriate. Processes and retrieves materials for patron requests and internal workflows. Exercises independent judgment when interviewing patrons to determine the scope and depth of requests, responding directly or referring users to appropriate resources or specialists. Creates and maintains documentation for departmental workflows and procedures. Collects, maintains, and reports library statistics and operational data. Coordinates and supports circulation, resource access, collections maintenance, facilities monitoring, technology support, and student employee supervision. Identifies and reports facilities, equipment, security, and safety concerns according to established procedures. Actively participates in training and professional development opportunities to deepen knowledge of Yale Library resources, collections, and services. Regularly evaluates workflows and contributes to improvements in service quality and operational efficiency.

May be called upon to assist with disaster recovery efforts, participate in departmental or library-wide committees, support special projects, and perform other duties that support the mission and operations of Yale Library.

Based on library assignment, operational needs, staffing requirements, and area responsibilities, incumbents may perform a variety of specialized Access and Public Services functions. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinates course reserves services, including processing print and electronic reserves and communicating with faculty regarding course materials.

• Supports Resource Sharing, Scan and Deliver services, retrieval requests, and related access workflows.

• Supports 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.

• Provides support for special collections services, including monitoring use of materials, instructing patrons on handling procedures, and supporting archival activities.

• Maintains library privileges, patron accounts, and related access records.

• Supports 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.

• Participates in training, documentation, workflow development, assessment, service improvement initiatives, and departmental, library-wide, or cross-unit projects.

• May provide operational guidance and training to student employees.

Schedule: Sunday – Thursday 1:30pm – 10:00pm

Required Skills and Abilities
1. 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.
2. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a busy service environment while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and professionalism despite frequent interruptions and competing priorities.
3. 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.
4. Demonstrated proficiency with office technology, productivity software, and library systems. Ability to learn new technologies and troubleshoot common software, hardware, and equipment issues.
5. Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated reliability, initiative, adaptability, and ability to prioritize and complete complex assignments accurately.

Preferred Skills and Abilities
1. High level of familiarity with Alma Circulation, Interlibrary Loan and Reserves processing and software.

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

1. Serves as a primary source of information on established procedures and policies for staff and patrons. 2. May perform a range of public and technical services functions. 3. Oversees, instructs, revises, the work or coordinates work activities of staff. 4. Provides research assistance to patrons and staff in writing and at reference desk. 5. Interviews patron to determine scope and depth of request. Identifies and resolves problems. 6. Searches for bibliographic data with incomplete information or source material in catalogs, reference sources, files, and databases. 7. Acquires library material that has been recommended by patrons or librarians. 8. Oversees a unit budget. Monitors expenditures, reconciles statements and maintains records. Organizes special projects. 9. Performs functions incidental to library activities.

Required Education and ExperienceSix 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.

Original Job Posting Date

08/21/2026

Job Category

Administrative Support

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade D

Compensation Grade Profile

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Location

219 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut

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 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 dutiesand responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties throughtheir hiring department. University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, 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.