Part-Time Seasonal Library Assistant – Adult Services

Summary

We are looking to hire 2-3 employees as Summer Library Assistants to provide an outstanding library experience for our community during the library’s busiest season. These are part-time, seasonal positions, with candidates working 12-18 hours/week during the months of May-August 2026.

Interviews for this position will be held (virtually) in April.

• Do you enjoy providing top-notch customer service?
• Do you love connecting people with great books, programs, and services?
• Does the idea of creating a welcoming atmosphere for our community excite you?
  
  

The Town of Chapel Hill is a welcoming and safe place for everyone. When we are successful, Chapel Hill will be a place where all people thrive.

Who We're Looking For

• You are friendly, engaging, and optimistic; working with the public is one of your favorite things.
• You love books and are comfortable recommending all kinds of books to all kinds of people.
• You are a team player who thinks quickly on your feet.
• You are comfortable using, troubleshooting, and assisting in the use of computing devices; including desktop, mobile, and emerging technologies.
  
  

This is a temporary appointment from April 27 – August 30, 2026. The Town may choose to extend the term of employment beyond Aug 30, 2026.

We are also hiring a Part-Time Seasonal Library Assistant for our Youth & Family division. (15-20 hrs/week). If you are interested in being considered for that position, please also apply to that job posting.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION IS 3/19/2026. HOWEVER, THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Essential Functions

• Provide outstanding customer service in person, on the phone, and online. Initiate contact with customers, provide helpful, friendly, knowledgeable service, take ownership of completing transactions & resolving problems, communicate effectively.
• Help people access and discover physical and digital library resources. This includes assisting users with eBooks. Includes sorting, shelving, shifting, shelf reading, and displaying materials.
• Help people navigate library systems and services. Includes resolving routine problems with equipment or technology, answering questions, making reading / viewing / listening recommendations, giving instructions, and updating database records.
• Complete other tasks as required.
  
  

Do you supervise or not?

No.

What are the physical demands?

The work is performed sitting, standing, walking, squatting, reaching, and bending. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity. May require lifting 10-15 pounds.

Where and how do you work?

This work is usually performed inside a busy public library and in an office setting. Requires regular weekend and evening hours.

Minimum Qualifications

What do you need to know to do this job effectively?

Knowledge Of

• Town and Library policies and procedures.
• Library materials and availability.
• Online resources
• Patron and item records in library databases
  
  

Ability To

• Positively interact with a diverse clientele.
• Interpret and communicate library policies and procedures.
• Accomplish detail-oriented tasks.
• Use web-based software systems
• Use Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or similar tools
• Solve problems and make sound decisions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and customers
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Model behavior that is consistent with our values of RESPECT
  
  

What is education and/or experience do you need to be considered for this job?

Education

A bachelor's degree in a related field is required.

Experience

A minimum of 1 year of experience in a customer service environment is required. Library or bookstore experience preferred.

Supplemental Information

What are the safety considerations for this job?

• You may be randomly drug tested while on the job.
• You will be subject to the Safe Driving and Accident Policy.
  
  

Here is other information you should know about the position:

A valid NC driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required.

The Town of Chapel Hill offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to regular full time and part time employees.

Health and Dental Insurance

Health and dental insurance are effective the first day of employment. The town will provide full-time employees group medical and dental insurance including family coverage. Employees and the town will share equally in the additional cost of the medical plan for dependent coverage if employees desire to purchase such coverage for family members. Employees are responsible for the full cost of dependent dental insurance.

Retirement Health Savings Plan

Employees hired after June 30, 2010, in a regular full-time or regular part- time position are required to participate in the Retirement Health Savings Plan. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 1%.

Paid Time Off

• Vacation/Annual Leave: Employees in regular full or part time positions earn between 12 and 26 days per year depending upon length of Town service.
• Sick Leave: Employees in full or part time regular positions earn 12 days per year.
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees receive 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave after birth or placement of a child in the home for adoption or foster care. This leave does not come from Employee's leave bank.
• Paid Holidays: There are 12 official Town holidays. Employees in full or part time regular positions are eligible for paid holiday time.
• Personal Leave: All employees in full or part time regular positions are granted 3 days of personal leave per year. This leave is non-cumulative
  
  

Local Government Retirement System

All employees in regular full or part time position are required to contribute to the retirement system. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 6%.

Supplemental Retirement Plans

• NC 401(k)-The Town makes a contribution of 5% to the 401(k) for all regular full and part time employees. There is no employee match required. Employees have the option of making contributions on a pre or post tax basis. The plan is administered by Empower.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan-Town of Chapel Hill employees have the option of making contributions to a 457. The Town does not make contributions to this plan. The plan is administered by MissionSquare.
  
  

Disability Insurance

• Town Provided: The Town provides both short term and long term disability insurance to all regular full or part time employees. The plan will pay up to 50% of the employee's base income up to $462 per week for non-job related injuries.
• Voluntary Short Term Disability: Employees have the option of purchasing supplemental disability insurance. This plan will pay employees a maximum of 25% of their base weekly earnings up to $400.
  
  

Life Insurance

The Town provides full and part time regular employees with an individual term life insurance policy. Employees have the option of purchasing additional life insurance for a small fee. Dependent life insurance is also available.

Direct Deposit

All employees hired after July 1, 2007 are required to have direct deposit.

Other Benefits

• Credit Union: Employees of the Town of Chapel Hill are eligible to open accounts at Civic Federal Credit Union.
• Parking is provided free of charge at or near worksites
• Annual longevity payment beginning with the 5th year of full or part time regular employment
• Tuition assistance is available upon completion of the initial probationary period
• Town has a Housing Assistance Program that assists employees secure housing in Town see the following https://www.chapelhillaffordablehousing.org/employee-housing
  
  

01

Please share with us an example of a time when you provided superior customer service. Please be specific.

02

From the position description, what about the position interests you and how has your experience helped prepare you to succeed in this role?

03

Do you have 1 year of customer service experience in a library or a bookstore?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

If yes, what is the name of the library/bookstore?

05

Are you available to work 1 weekend day and one evening shift (till 8pm) each week as part of your regular schedule?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Are you available to work Saturdays?

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Are you available to work Sundays?

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

The hourly rate of pay for this position is $18.68 If offered the position, will you accept this hourly rate?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question