Part-Time Library Page

US Lawns; Newton (MA); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Newton is seeking Library Pages to support our branch libraries with shelving and material organization. You will assist patrons with directions and help keep stacks neat and accessible, primarily in the afternoon hours.

Ideal candidates are at least 18 and able to follow instructions, stand and move about the stacks, and push/pull up to 40 pounds. A strong commitment to public service is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Must understand direction regarding library organization systems.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately and thoroughly.
• Ability to stand, reach and stoop to reach shelves.
• Ability to push and pull up to 40 pounds.
• Strong commitment to public service.

Responsibilities

• Re-shelves materials to proper locations in the library.
• Maintains books and other library materials in neat and orderly condition.
• Answers basic directional questions for patrons and visitors, referring to staff as needed.
• Sorts and organizes library materials prior to shelving.
• Shifts library materials to keep shelves organized.
• Identifies materials in poor condition or belonging to other libraries.
• Assists with materials returns, including clearing book drop as assigned.

Skills

Library systems

Public service

Public interaction

Education

Must be at least 18 years of age

Job description

Job Description

Under the direct supervision of one of the Library division heads or their designees, Pages are tasked with shelving items effectively for patron use and may perform other similar tasks as requested.

Hours of Work:10 - 12 hours per week, to be worked in the afternoon based on Library needs.

Essential Functions

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Re-shelves materials to proper locations in the library
• Maintains books and other library materials in accordance with library organizational systems
• Answers basic directional questions for patrons and visitors, and refers them to other library staff as needed
• Sorts and organizes library materials prior to shelving
• Reads shelves and maintains library materials in neat and orderly condition
• Shifts library materials as directed to keep shelves organized
• Identifies materials in poor condition
• Identifies materials belonging to other libraries
• Assists with materials returns, including clearing book drop as assigned

Secondary Elements

• Assists with other duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.)

Education, Training and Experience

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Knowledge: Must understand direction regarding library organization systems.

Ability: Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately and thoroughly. Ability to stand, reach and stoop to reach shelves. Ability to push and pull up to 40 pounds.

A strong commitment to public service required.

Physical requirements/work environment

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Work is performed under typical public building conditions; the noise level is quiet to moderate at most times. Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Errors in judgment or omissions could result in considerable confusion and delay, have a continuing adverse effect on the library’s ability to deliver services, be costly to correct and cause significant adverse public relations.

Work effort principally involves standing, stooping, and walking, with lifting of books and other materials (up to 30 lbs) and intermittent periods of pushing book carts (up to 40 lbs).

Motor Skills: Work effort requires those motor skills needed for activities such as lifting and carrying books and moving book carts.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Company Description

THE CITY

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst - Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well‑positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER

• defined municipal pension plan
• quality health and dental insurance plans
• generous paid leave benefits
• paid holidays
• access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• access to employee training and professional development opportunities

We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newtonreasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.

Benefits

• This is a non-benefited position