Part-Time Seasonal Library Assistant – Youth & Family

Summary

We are looking to hire 2-3 employees as Summer Library Assistants, to help provide an outstanding library experience for our diverse community during the library’s busiest season. These are part-time positions, with candidates working 15-20 hours/week during the months of May-August 2026.

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

• Do you enjoy providing top-notch customer service?
• Do you love connecting kids and families with great books, programs, and services?
• Does the idea of creating a welcoming atmosphere for diverse populations 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.

The Chapel Hill Public Library is a future-focused, user-centric organization, dedicated to the concept of continual improvement. We are guided by our Service Pledge to provide friendly, helpful, responsive, and engaged service to our community whenever and whyever they choose to visit us.

Who we're looking for:

• You are friendly, engaging, patient and optimistic. You enjoy working with the public and being of service.
• 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 - Aug 30, 2026. The Town may choose to extend the term of employment beyond Aug 30, 2026.

We are also hiring a Part-Time Seasonal Assistant for our Adult services division. (12-18 hrs/week). If you are interested in being considered for that position, please also apply to that job posting.

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.