Library Assistant - Temporary Part-Time

Job summary

The Library Assistant supports branch services, including customer assistance, collection maintenance, and materials handling workflows. They are responsible for maintaining library operations, resolving issues, and ensuring a smooth experience for library patrons.

Job details

Employment Status: Temporary part-time to July 22, 2027 (CUPE5348) Primary Location: Iroquois Ridge Branch Reason for Vacancy: Internal movement Hours: 20 hours per week with ability to work all shifts (days, evenings, and weekends) Rate of Pay: $24.81 - $29.19 hourly Posting Status: Open to all current OPL employees and external applicants Oakville Public Library is seeking someone who is dedicated to service excellence, demonstrates curiosity and a learning mindset, fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, and is a passionate advocate for literacy and innovation in public libraries. Reporting to branch leadership, the Library Assistant supports branch services to the public, collection and materials handling workflows, and library operations at the branch. What You'll Do As a Library Assistant you will: Greet customers and proactively offer customer-first service across all interactions, promoting OPL services with enthusiasm and directing customers to appropriate staff for assistance. Understand and promote OPL's collections, spaces, programs, services, and technologies. Accurately interpret OPL policies, procedures, and key messaging to guide service delivery. Support customer access to library materials and services by answering directional questions, locating their holds or specific items in physical collections, directing customers to appropriate staff for further assistance, and providing help at self-checkout kiosks when appropriate to ensure a smooth and efficient experience. Complete all materials handling workflows, including but not limited to emptying book drops and sorters, checking in materials using RFID technology, sorting and shelving items, shelf-reading, and maintaining shelf organization and displays. Operate and troubleshoot sorting equipment, process circulation and collection maintenance lists, and identify and report issues with library materials. Support branch services and library operations, including but not limited to collection maintenance tasks, room setup for programs and room bookings, general branch tidying tasks, and branch opening and closing duties. Resolve issues or escalate to designated in-charge staff, or branch or on-call leadership as appropriate. Foster continuous learning by engaging in professional development activities, participating in working groups, and applying new knowledge and skills to enhance job performance. Work in compliance with the provisions of the AODA customer service standard, Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, other relevant health and safety legislation, and the OPL’s Health & Safety Program. Perform other duties as assigned. Is this a good fit for you? We're Looking For Someone Who Can Provide excellent customer service in dynamic and busy environments, and champion the values of equitable access, curiosity, belonging, lifelong learning, intellectual freedom, and exceptional service. Understand OPL's collections, spaces, programs, services, and technologies. Proactively engage customers and connect them to staff for assistance, approaching every interaction with enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to help. Exercise good judgment to prioritize customer-first service and make values-based decisions. Sustain strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and multitask effectively, and perform all work with accuracy and attention to detail. Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to actively listen, follow written instructions, and clearly share information. Work independently and as part of a team through effective collaboration and strong interpersonal skills. Respond effectively to change, demonstrating curiosity and a learning mindset. Handle the physical requirements of the job including lifting library materials, reaching to place materials on shelves, pushing carts, and frequent standing, walking and bending. Your Experience And Educational Background Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of one (1) year related work experience in a customer service environment, preferably in a library environment. Experience with an integrated library system (ILS), RFID technology, Microsoft Office, and library technologies and equipment is considered an asset. Who are we? Oakville Public Library strives to fulfill our mission of bringing together people, information, and ideas to enrich lives and build healthy communities. We are focused on exceptional customer service to meet the needs of the children, youth, adults, and seniors utilizing our physical or online services. We continue to be agile in our mandate to meet the needs of the residents of Oakville. What's it like to work at Oakville Public Library? It's challenging, stimulating, and hugely rewarding. Our positions offer tremendous diversity and excellent opportunities for professional growth. Every day, we commit to providing access to tangible resources and programs that inspire, encourage, and provoke thought for the residents of Oakville. Application Process Applications will be accepted on-line at www.opl.on.ca in the current opportunities section no later than midnight on September 18, 2026. Oakville Public Library uses the Town of Oakville’s recruitment software. The Town’s recruitment software includes elements of artificial intelligence to assist in the screening and short-listing of qualified candidates. The Oakville Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) within our recruitment process upon request. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process please contact Human Resources at oplhr@oakville.ca A Security Clearance Check will be required for all employees and volunteers of the Oakville Public Library. Successful applicants must submit the Security Check (dated within the last six months) prior to or on the first day of employment. The Oakville Public Library endeavours to provide a safe environment for all its employees. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

What you’ll do

The Library Assistant supports branch services, including customer assistance, collection maintenance, and materials handling workflows. They are responsible for maintaining library operations, resolving issues, and ensuring a smooth experience for library patrons.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a Secondary School Diploma and at least one year of related customer service experience. Proficiency in library technologies and the ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting and shelving are required.

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Customer service · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• adaptability · Preferred
• Collaboration · Preferred
• interpersonal skills · Preferred
• Attention to detail · Preferred
• Troubleshooting · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Customer service
• Literacy advocacy
• Collection maintenance
• RFID technology
• Troubleshooting
• Time management
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Organizational skills
• Active listening
• Problem solving
• Adaptability

Job areas

• Customer Service & Support
• Government & Public Sector
• Administrative
• Education