Part-Time Library Assistant (2 Openings) — Dover Free Public Library Dover Free Public Library DFPL: More than just books

BCCLS; Dover (NJ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Evenings and weekend rotation

Local government position

Job summary

The Dover Free Public Library is hiring two part-time Library Assistants to serve a diverse community in Dover, NJ. Each role is up to 15 hours per week with evenings and weekend rotation required. You will assist patrons, manage checkouts, and support bilingual programs.

Responsibilities include helping Spanish- and English-speaking patrons, shelving with the Dewey Decimal System, and supporting cultural events and displays while learning library systems and procedures.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform alphabetical filing beyond the initial letter.
• Ability to perform numerical filing beyond the initial digit.
• Basic arithmetic skills.
• Strong communication skills — friendly, courteous, and clear.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Willingness to learn new electronic and manual systems.
• Physical ability to perform essential job functions.
• Availability to work evenings and participate in weekend rotation.
• Bilingual Spanish and English strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Check materials in and out, answer questions about our services, and help patrons discover resources.
• Assist Spanish- and English-speaking patrons with library membership, reserves, and finding materials.
• Maintain our collection using the Dewey Decimal System and ensure materials are properly shelved and accessible.
• Help prepare for cultural celebrations, bilingual storytimes, and community events.
• Handle fines and fees, track overdue materials, and help locate hard-to-find items.
• Repair and prepare materials for circulation, create displays, and maintain special collections.
• Learn various electronic and manual library systems as we continue modernizing our services.

Skills

Alphabetical filing

Numerical filing

Basic arithmetic

Communication skills

Follow instructions

Willingness to learn

Physical ability

Evenings/weekends availability

Bilingual preferred

Job description

Part-Time Library Assistant (2 Openings) — Dover Free Public Library

Join a library that’s MORE than just books!

About Us

The Dover Free Public Library serves as a vibrant hub in one of Morris County’s most culturally diverse communities. With 75% of our residents identifying as Hispanic and over half born outside the United States, we’re not just a library — we’re a connector, a trusted resource, and a catalyst for community engagement.

We’re in the middle of implementing an exciting new strategic plan (2026–2030) focused on expanding cultural programming, strengthening multilingual services, and building deeper community connections. If you’re passionate about making a difference where it truly counts, we want you on our team!

Who We’re Looking For

We’re hiring two self-motivated, community-focused Library Assistants who thrive in a dynamic, multicultural environment. You’ll be someone who:

• Takes initiative and sees opportunities to help before being asked
• Genuinely enjoys connecting with people from all backgrounds
• Brings energy and enthusiasm to everyday tasks
• Embraces learning new systems and technologies
• Finds satisfaction in being part of something bigger than yourself

What You’ll Do

As a Library Assistant, you’ll be the friendly face patrons see when they walk through our doors. Your day might include:

• Connecting with Community: Check materials in and out, answer questions about our services, and help patrons discover resources they didn’t know existed
• Supporting Diverse Needs: Assist Spanish- and English-speaking patrons with library membership, reserves, and finding materials
• Keeping Things Organized: Maintain our collection using the Dewey Decimal System, ensuring materials are properly shelved and accessible
• Contributing to Programs: Help prepare for cultural celebrations, bilingual storytimes, and community events
• Problem-Solving: Handle fines and fees, track overdue materials, and help locate hard-to-find items
• Hands-On Work: Repair and prepare materials for circulation, create displays, and maintain special collections
• Growing with Us: Learn various electronic and manual library systems as we continue modernizing our services

Schedule

We have two positions available, each up to 15 hours per week. Specific days and shifts will be set based on library need and your availability, and may be adjusted seasonally. Both positions require:

• Willingness to work evenings
• Participation in weekend rotation and coverage

We’ll work with you to find a schedule that fits, but flexibility across evenings and weekends is an essential part of this role.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to perform alphabetical filing beyond the initial letter
• Ability to perform numerical filing beyond the initial digit
• Basic arithmetic skills
• Strong communication skills — friendly, courteous, and clear
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Willingness to learn new electronic and manual systems
• Physical ability to perform essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation)
• Availability to work evenings and participate in weekend rotation
• Highly Desired (But Not Required)
• Bilingual skills in Spanish and English are strongly preferred and will significantly enhance your candidacy. We have a specific need for staff who can read, write, speak, understand, and communicate effectively in both languages.

Additional Information

• Valid NJ driver’s license required only if vehicle operation is essential to the position
• This is a local government position
• Wage follows the NJLA Salary recommendations; this position starts at $19.73/hour, up to 15 hours per week
• Information about current programs and events at the library can be found at www.dfpl.org
• Equal opportunity employer — persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply

Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re excited about serving a vibrant, diverse community and want to be part of a library that’s actively working to be more inclusive, accessible, and connected, we’d love to hear from you!

The Dover Free Public Library empowers all residents by providing equitable access to information, fostering cultural understanding, and serving as a hub for lifelong learning, community connection, and civic engagement.

Come be part of our story.

The Dover Free Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

A Quién Buscamos

Estamos contratando dos Auxiliares de Biblioteca motivados y enfocados en la comunidad que prosperen en un ambiente dinámico y multicultural. Usted será alguien que:

• Toma la iniciativa y ve oportunidades para ayudar antes de que se lo pidan
• Disfruta genuinamente conectar con personas de todos los orígenes
• Aporta energía y entusiasmo a las tareas diarias
• Adopta el aprendizaje de nuevos sistemas y tecnologías
• Encuentra satisfacción en ser parte de algo más grande que uno mismo

¿Sus Responsabilidades

Como Auxiliar de Biblioteca, usted será el rostro amable que los usuarios ven al entrar. Su día podría incluir:

• Conexión con la Comunidad: Registrar la entrada y salida de materiales, responder preguntas sobre nuestros servicios y ayudar a los usuarios a descubrir recursos que no sabían que existían
• Apoyo a Necesidades Diversas: Ayudar a usuarios de habla hispana e inglesa con membresías, reservas y búsqueda de materiales
• Organización: Mantener nuestra colección usando el Sistema de Clasificación Decimal Dewey
• Contribución a Programas: Ayudar a preparar celebraciones culturales, cuentacuentos bilingües y eventos comunitarios
• Resolución de Problemas: Manejar multas y tarifas, dar seguimiento a materiales vencidos y localizar artículos difíciles de encontrar
• Trabajo Práctico: Reparar y preparar materiales para circulación, crear exhibiciones y mantener colecciones especiales
• Crecimiento Continuo: Aprender diversos sistemas electrónicos y manuales a medida que modernizamos nuestros servicios

Horario

Contamos con dos puestos disponibles, cada uno de hasta 15 horas semanales. Los días y turnos específicos se determinarán según las necesidades de la biblioteca y su disponibilidad. Ambos puestos requieren:

• Disponibilidad para trabajar en horario nocturno
• Participación en la rotación y cobertura de fines de semana

Capacidad física para realizar las funciones esenciales del puesto (con o sin adaptación razonable).

Calificaciones Requeridas

• Capacidad para realizar archivo alfabético más allá de la letra inicial
• Capacidad para realizar archivo numérico más allá del dígito inicial
• Habilidades básicas de aritmética
• Fuertes habilidades de comunicación — amable, cortés y clara
• Capacidad para seguir instrucciones escritas y orales
• Disposición para aprender nuevos sistemas
• Capacidad física para realizar las funciones esenciales del puesto (con o sin adaptación razonable)
• Disponibilidad para trabajar en horario nocturno y participar en la rotación de fines de semana
• Altamente Deseado (No Requerido)
• Se prefiere fuertemente el dominio bilingüe de español e inglés. Necesitamos personal que pueda leer, escribir, hablar, entender y comunicarse eficazmente en ambos idiomas.

Información Adicional

• Se requiere licencia de conducir válida de NJ solo si operar un vehículo es esencial para el puesto
• Este es un puesto de gobierno local
• El salario sigue las recomendaciones de la NJLA; este puesto comienza en $19.73/hora, hasta 15 horas por semana
• Información sobre programas y eventos actuales de la biblioteca en www.dfpl.org
• Empleador de igualdad de oportunidades — se anima a las personas con discapacidades a postularse

¿Listo para Marcar la Diferencia?
Para consideración inmediata, envíe su currículum y carta de presentación a [e-mail]

La Biblioteca Pública Gratuita de Dover es un empleador de igualdad de oportunidades. Celebramos la diversidad y estamos comprometidos a crear un ambiente inclusivo para todos los empleados.