Part-Time Library Assistant (NJ Room)

jerseycityfreepubliclibrary; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Vacation leave

State pension

Job summary

Jersey City Free Public Library is seeking a Part-Time Library Assistant to support daily operations in the PGML – NJ Room. You will assist customers, shelf materials, help locate resources, and contribute to programs and services during evenings and weekends.

The role requires friendly, patient communication, basic data entry, and familiarity with Dewey Decimal classification. Successful candidates demonstrate reliable attendance, teamwork, and a willingness to learn library systems.

Qualifications

• Evenings/weekends required.
• Knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System.
• Ability to work calmly in a busy public environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist patrons with locating materials and answering questions.
• Shelve materials and organize collections.
• Help patrons locate resources and use library resources.
• Learn to use library information systems and maintain records.
• Operate basic library equipment (copiers, microfilm readers).
• Support archival processing and metadata tasks as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Reading comprehension

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Tools

Dewey Decimal System

ILS / Library Catalog System

Microsoft Office

Job description

JCFPL JOB TITLE: Library Assistant

LOCATION: PGML – NJ Room

REPORTS TO: Department Manager

CIVIL SERVICE JOB TITLE: Library Assistant

STARTING SALARY RANGE: $21.98 / hr.

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME: Part-Time

WORKWEEK: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (scheduled up to 16 hours/week). Required to work evenings and weekends as needed.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 8, 2026

BENEFIT SUMMARY: This summary outlines the general benefits available to library employees, designed to support their health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits available to Part-Time Employees: Sick Leave - Employees earn 1 hours of paid sick leave for every thirty (30) hours worked for a maximum of forty (40) hours of paid sick leave in a benefit year. Vacation Leave - Employees earn one (1) hour paid vacation for every twenty (20) hours worked, with no cap in earning. Additional Part-Time benefits include participation in state pension plan. A more detailed summary can be found on our Employment Opportunities page located at www.jclibrary.org

JCFPL is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, with twelve locations and growing, and a collection comprising over 2.5 million print and digital items. Our staff of nearly 170 dedicated individuals serves the residents, students, and workers of Jersey City: the largest city in Hudson County, N.J., and the second-largest city in New Jersey.

The staff of JCFPL reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Jersey City, which is consistently ranked as the most diverse community in the United States. Collectively, our staff speaks over 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Gujarati, Marathi, Igbo, Portuguese, and others.

JCFPL is committed to building on our strong foundation and expanding our ability to meet the needs of Jersey City's growing and increasingly diverse community.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Part-Time Library Assistant provides essential support in the daily operations of the Jersey City Free Public Library. This position assists with customer service, shelving materials, organizing collections, and helping patrons locate resources. The Part-Time Library Assistant contributes to creating a welcoming and efficient library environment while supporting programs, events, and other library services as needed.

JOB DUTIES

• Charges and discharges library material to users; answers patron inquiries pertaining to physical location of library material, library hours, digital resources, etc.; refers complex questions to supervisors; checks availability of materials; reserves library materials; locates required publications primarily based on call number
• Performs filing or shelving tasks involving the use of the Dewey Decimal Classification System and alphabetical filing systems beyond the initial letter of a word; performs searches for publications in immediate vicinity of its proper location; checks shelves to ensure materials are filed properly
• May repair library material using mending tape, paste, and brush; prepares books for circulation, which may include placing covers on material, pasting book pockets and/or data slips, spraying lacquer to protect spine, etc.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units
• Operates standard library machines, such as copiers and microfilm readers
• Under supervision, assists in archival processing and metadata management
• Informs individuals of library services
• Answers telephones
• Perform other duties as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES

Communication/Collaboration

• Communicates effectively using a variety of methods
• Effectively communicates relevant and timely information to appropriate stakeholders
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with others to achieve common goals
• Works effectively on teams with strong team-building skills and attitudes
• Ability to compare written and printed material for accuracy
• Ability to read with comprehension
• Ability to follow oral and written orders, directions, or plans
• Knowledge of general vocabulary, spelling and of standard English grammar
• Knowledge of filing systems
• Communicates effectively with a variety of audiences and individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Selects and applies the most appropriate and effective communication means to meet situational needs

Customer Service

• Contributes to and models customer service standards that enhance the user experience
• Models standards and practices for the delivery of quality internal and external customer service
• Applies customer service skills to enhance the level of user satisfaction
• Applies effective techniques to address difficult situations with users and staff
• Understands and acts in accordance with the basic values and ethics of library service

Professional Development

• Manages the development of one’s own learning and ongoing improvement of skills and knowledge
• Uses creative and innovative approaches
• Establishes strategies and long-range initiatives to create a learning environment within the division and the library
• Plans for and supports staff career development opportunities
• Contributes to the development and implementation of a culture that embraces ongoing learning

Community Engagement

• Demonstrates the impact and value of the library to the community through ongoing evaluation and assessment of library services
• Maintains positive public relations through communication and promotion of the library’s values, services, accomplishments and needs to all stakeholders
• Builds relationships and support for the library with community organizations
• Contributes to creating a welcoming and user-friendly physical environment that encourages all community members to use library services

Technology

• Performs basic functions of email, calendar applications, and task management
• Understands and uses basic computer hardware, peripherals, software, and operating system functions
• Demonstrates information literacy and understands common security protocols related to Internet use
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (especially Word and Excel)

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

• Ability to demonstrate a practical knowledge of library functions, services, terminology, techniques, procedures, and standard tools such as ILS (Integrated Library Systems), shelving arrangements, Dewey Decimal Classification System, and successful completion of relevant training within the organization

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT SKILLS

• Must be available to work evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of Jersey City's population, geography, and/or local government

NOTES

For all employees, regardless of full-time or part-time status, JCFPL is considered the primary employer. Work hours are assigned according to the Library's operational needs. Work hours are not scheduled to accommodate employees' other employment, academic, or other outside obligations, except in circumstances agreed upon in writing by the employee and the employee's supervisor.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for the employee for this job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

This vacancy is associated with a New Jersey Civil Service job title. The New Jersey Civil Service Commission requires all incumbents to possess and be prepared to verify the minimum experience and skills required for the associated Civil Service job title.

This position is subject to residency requirements as set forth in the New Jersey First Act and not available for work visa sponsorship.