Temporary Library Associate

Sno-Isle Libraries; Oak Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Dental coverage

ORCA Passport card

Job summary

The Temporary Library Associate position at Sno-Isle Libraries is a full-time, temporary role covering Oak Harbor and Freeland libraries. You'll support customers, handle account information, provide technology help, and assist with materials and reference questions.

The job requires working 40 hours weekly, with 1-2 evenings and alternating weekends, across two sites. Responsibilities include reference assistance, circulation tasks, program creation, and basic tech training.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of library services and ability to assist customers with account information and technology.
• Experience providing direct customer service in a public setting.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong organization and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide general reference and information service and assist with library facilities and resources.
• Perform circulation desk tasks and customer service duties.
• Create and present programming for various customer groups as assigned.
• Develop program materials, reading lists, and displays.
• Provide basic training on library systems and public computers.
• Troubleshoot equipment and perform basic maintenance.
• Conduct collection maintenance and space upkeep.
• May be designated to lead in the absence of supervisory staff.
• Travel between sites as staffing needs require.

Skills

Customer service

Reference services

Technology support

Public computer access

Communication

Education

College-level education or library science training

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Closing Date: November 5, 2026 - 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time

Pay Range: $31.40 - $43.00 hourly
Job Status: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Employment Type: Temporary
FLSA: Non-exempt
Location: Oak Harbor, WA

The Temporary Library Associate position is a temporary position for up to ten months that will provide coverage to both the Oak Harbor and the Freeland Libraries. The Library Associate position will provide customer service support, serve as the person in charge of the building when needed, assist customers with account information and technology support, register customers for new accounts, process materials, answer phones, and answer basic reference questions.

The Temporary Library Associate position will work at the Oak Harbor Library from December until the end of February. This position is expected to work 40 hours a week including 1-2 evenings a week and will alternate Saturdays and Sundays.

The Temporary Library Associate position will work at the Freeland Library from March until the end of August. This position is expected to work 40 hours a week and the typical schedule is Sunday through Thursday.

The Employer reserves the right to change these assignments with notice. The home location will be used for mileage and travel in conjunction with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or Policy.

This temporary position is not a Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)-eligible position. As such, any individual in this position will not contribute to PERS for the duration of the assignment. The person selected will receive benefits the month following their start date in the position, with the exception of PERS eligibility. If an external applicant is the successful candidate, the person selected will be released from employment at the end of the temporary assignment. If an internal applicant is the successful candidate, the person selected to fill this temporary job will return to their regular position at the end of the assignment.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 2.

Job Summary

The Library Associate performs skilled paraprofessional library support services at one or more community libraries or Library on Wheels to contribute to the Library District's effective operation, providing library services, spaces, and resources that are representative of diverse cultures and perspectives, intentionally inclusive, and accessible to everyone.

We Value Lived Experience

Sno-Isle Libraries is committed to embedding equity into our organization. As we engage in equity work, it's important to have a good foundation to frame the work and then provide training opportunities to build skills and knowledge.

We value and embrace the unique experiences our staff members bring to the organization and recognize how their experiences improve the service we provide.

Benefits

All Sno-Isle Libraries employees are eligible for sick leave, vacation leave, paid holidays, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, and an employer-paid ORCA Passport card. Employees working 20 or more hours per week also receive additional benefits such as medical and vision coverage, retirement savings, life insurance, and flexible healthcare and daycare spending accounts. Please note that this temporary full-time position will not be eligible to participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). For more information about these benefits, visit our employment webpage at sno-isle.org/employment.

Essential Functions

1. Provide general, basic reference and information service by assisting customers in the use of library facilities, equipment, resources, and services. Refer complex readers' advisory and reference questions to a Librarian or appropriate staff member.
2. Provide courteous and efficient customer service by performing circulation desk tasks.
3. Create and present programming for all customer groups as assigned.
4. Develop program materials, including reading lists, promotional displays, and presentation materials.
5. Provide training to customers in basic library skills including the use of public computers, catalog and reference computers, Internet, and devices.
6. Assist customers in resolving technical problems or issues. Maintain and troubleshoot equipment utilized in a community library.
7. Perform collection maintenance activities through the use of reports and data, to include weeding the collection for condition as well as reallocation of library materials.
8. Perform other library support services including opening and closing buildings and assisting in maintaining the library in neat, clean, and orderly condition.
9. May be designated in charge of the community library in the absence of other supervisory staff or building manager.
10. Travel from one work site to another as staffing needs require.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

1. Make presentations to the public as assigned.
2. Prepare correspondence and reports.
3. Train new staff as needed.
4. Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as assigned.
5. Assist with special projects as required.
6. Participate on committees or teams as assigned.
7. May serve as the volunteer coordinator of a community library.
8. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision

Positions of the class typically report to a Library Manager, Assistant Library Manager, or Library Circulation Supervisor. Although direct supervision is not a normal part of the position's work, incumbents may be designated as lead people to provide work direction to coworkers or volunteers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Thorough knowledge of established web-based databases and techniques of searching and accessing those resources.
2. Thorough knowledge of established practices and procedures for an integrated library system (ILS).
3. Thorough knowledge of library policies and procedures for determining needs and interests of customers.
4. Knowledge of collection development policies and procedures.
5. Knowledge of library resources, programs, and services.
6. Knowledge of alpha and numeric systems for arranging library materials as well as automated bibliographic identification at a basic level.
7. Strong customer service skills.
8. Strong organization and attention to detail.
9. Ability to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.
10. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
11. Ability to handle and resolve disruptive behavior effectively.
12. Ability to work independently and to set priorities.
13. Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with the public and co-workers.
14. Ability to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, electronic databases, email, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment and security systems.

Education and Experience

Knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position can be acquired by a combination of experience and education including:

1. College-level education or specialized training such as library science, presenting programs, or other profession-based subject areas.
2. Two years of experience providing direct customer service.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Most of the work is carried out within a generally accessible, safe, indoor environment. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent must identify and organize library materials such as books, audiobooks, and DVDs based on small-print numbers and alphabetical characters; scan and inspect library materials including opening media cases. Incumbents may frequently move objects or materials weighing up to 35 pounds, including transfer of books and other materials to carts or shelves of varying heights. Incumbents may be required to move carts of books and other materials about the building for extended periods of time. Incumbents are required to operate computers and may frequently remain stationary at one workstation for extended periods of time.

The incumbent must regularly communicate with coworkers and members of the public. These contacts and situations are deemed to be generally safe and free of undue stress, but require incumbents to be cordial, helpful, and skilled in interpersonal relations with others both in the public and within the Library District.

Incumbents may travel to various sites in all kinds of weather and traffic conditions. To accomplish this travel, the incumbent must be able to drive and hold a valid Washington State driver's license or to make independent arrangements for such transportation.

The following questions will be asked during the application process and will be considered during the application evaluation:

1. Describe how your experience and skills meet the education and experience requirements for this position as listed on the job posting. Provide specific examples.
2. Describe your experience providing direct customer service, including in-person, online, or by telephone. Provide an example of a time you provided excellent customer service.
3. Describe your experience of working with a team in a fast-paced environment. Provide an example.
4. Describe your experience providing service to diverse populations in a work setting.
5. Describe your experience in helping someone learn how to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as Microsoft 365, electronic databases, email, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment (copy machines, laptops, PCs, etc.).
6. Provide one detailed example of how you resolved disruptive behavior effectively in a customer service setting. Be specific.

The purpose of the questions included on the job application is to obtain additional job-related information to evaluate you for the position you are applying for. There are also some personally identifiable questions included to provide us with statistics needed to evaluate our recruitment program. Questions related to your race/ethnicity and gender will not be used in any employment decisions. We would appreciate you assisting us by voluntarily providing this information.