PT Youth Services Library Assistant (2x) – Montclair Public Library Montclair Public Library

Bergen County Cooperative Library System; Montclair (NJ); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick time

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Montclair Public Library is seeking a Library Assistant in Youth Services to plan and deliver programs for children and families. You will work across youth services and be trained for service at other public desks, including Passport acceptance responsibilities.

The role emphasizes welcoming, informative customer service, collaboration, and community engagement in a busy library setting.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or equivalent.
• Experience working directly with the public.
• Comfort engaging children and their caregivers in a group setting.
• Strong communication and service instincts.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to push book carts and lift up to 20 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent, child-appropriate customer service at youth service points.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver programs for children and families (storytime, crafts, STEAM, clubs).
• Offer reader’s advisory and basic reference to children, teens, parents, and caregivers.
• Assist with program promotion (flyers, displays, calendars, digital signs).
• Serve at Borrower Services, Adult Services, and the branch as needed.
• Perform circulation functions (check-in/out, holds, card registration, renewals).
• Assist patrons with computers, printing, and basic troubleshooting.
• Set up and clean up rooms and materials before and after programs.
• Support collection maintenance (shelving, picklists, shelf-reading, light repair, weeding).
• Enforce policies consistently and communicate them with tact.

Skills

Teamwork

Customer service

Communication

Evenings/weekends availability

Fluency in a second language

Ability to lift up to 20 lbs

Education

Associates degree or equivalent

Tools

Canva

Google Workspace

Job description

About You

• You love working with children and families and bring warmth, patience, and good judgment
• You communicate clearly with people of all ages and know how to redirect with kindness
• You enjoy planning engaging activities and you are not afraid of a noisy room full of kids
• You are confident with everyday technology and are willing to learn new tools quickly
• You are flexible and comfortable moving between tasks and service points
• You like being part of a collaborative team and understand that the library is one system, not silos
• You are reliable, take ownership of your work, and follow through on commitments
• You believe libraries are for learning, belonging, and community

The Role

As a Library Assistant in Youth Services, your primary work is with children of all ages, families, and caregivers via programs, reader’s advisory, and public service. You will plan and deliver programs with ample departmental support and guidance. In addition to Youth Services, you will be trained and regularly scheduled at other public service points including Borrower Services, Adult Services, and the Bellevue Avenue Branch. You will also be required to become a Passport Acceptance Agent. This is a front-facing, community-serving role in a busy library.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide excellent, child-appropriate customer service at youth service points
• Plan, prepare, and deliver programs for children and families (storytime, crafts, STEAM, clubs, etc.)
• Offer reader’s advisory and basic reference to children, teens, parents, and caregivers
• Assist with program promotion (flyers, displays, calendars, digital signs, etc.)
• Serve at Borrower Services, Adult Services, and the branch as needed / schedule and after training
• Perform circulation functions (check-in/out, holds, card registration, renewals)
• Assist patrons with computers, printing, and basic troubleshooting
• Set up and clean up rooms and materials before and after programs
• Support collection maintenance (shelving, picklists, shelf-reading, light repair, weeding)
• Enforce policies consistently and communicate them with tact
• Other duties as assigned

This Job is Not for someone who

• Avoids working directly with children or finds noise/disruption intolerable
• Prefers to work alone and resists collaboration or rotation to other service desks
• Feels uncomfortable saying “no” or upholding rules with the public
• Avoids technology or resists learning new systems
• Wants a quiet back-room job without public interaction

Qualifications

Minimum

• Associates degree or equivalent
• Experience working directly with the public
• Comfort engaging children and their caregivers in a group setting
• Strong communication and service instincts
• Ability to work evenings and weekends
• Ability to push book carts and lift up to 20 lbs

Preferred

• College degree
• Experience working with children or teens (library, school, recreation, etc.)
• Experience creating or assisting with youth programs
• Familiarity with Canva, Google Workspace, or similar tools
• Fluency in a second language
• Eligibility to become a Passport Acceptance Agent

Details

• Schedule A: Monday 10-5, Thursday 10-6, Friday 10-6
• Schedule B: Tuesday 11-6, Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 11-7
• Compensation: $17.37 / hour
• Reports to: Head of Youth Services
• Benefits: Sick time and professional development opportunities

Montclair Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Reasonable accommodations available during the application/interview process per ADA. NJ residency required per State Law.