ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Circulation Desk Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

All JobsCirculation Desk JobsCirculation Desk Assistant JobsCirculation Desk Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

Circulation Desk Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$9

$16

$25

How much do circulation desk assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for circulation desk assistant in Riverside, CA is $16.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a circulation desk assistant?

A circulation desk assistant is a library staff member responsible for managing the check-in and check-out of library materials, assisting patrons, and maintaining the circulation area. They often use library management software and need good customer service skills. The role typically requires attention to detail and may involve working flexible hours.

What is the role of a circulatory assistant?

A Circulation Desk Assistant is responsible for managing the check-in and check-out of library materials, assisting patrons with locating resources, and maintaining the organization of the circulation area. They often use library management systems and provide customer service in a library or similar environment.

What are Circulation Desk Assistants?

Circulation Desk Assistants are staff members in libraries who help with the day-to-day operations at the circulation desk. Their main responsibilities include checking books and other materials in and out, assisting patrons with library accounts, processing library cards, and answering basic inquiries. They may also help with shelving, maintaining records, and handling overdue items. Circulation Desk Assistants play a key role in providing customer service and ensuring the efficient flow of materials throughout the library.

What are the main challenges a Circulation Desk Assistant might face during busy periods, and how can these be managed?

During peak times, Circulation Desk Assistants often encounter long lines, high volumes of material check-ins and check-outs, and frequent patron inquiries. Managing these challenges requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and effective communication with both patrons and team members. Staying calm under pressure and prioritizing tasks—such as quickly processing returns and renewals while politely directing patrons to appropriate resources—can help maintain a smooth workflow. Team collaboration is essential, as colleagues often assist each other during rush periods to ensure excellent customer service.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Circulation Desk Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Circulation Desk Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with integrated library systems (ILS), barcode scanners, and cataloging software is commonly required. Excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving abilities help you effectively assist patrons and handle inquiries. These skills are crucial for maintaining smooth library operations and providing a positive experience for library users.

Can you work in a library without being a librarian?

Yes, a Circulation Desk Assistant can work in a library without being a librarian. These roles typically involve tasks like checking out materials, managing overdue items, and assisting patrons, often requiring customer service skills and familiarity with library systems but not requiring a librarian certification.

What is the difference between Circulation Desk Assistant vs Library Clerk?

AspectCirculation Desk AssistantLibrary Clerk
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions may prefer customer service experienceHigh school diploma; customer service skills often preferred
Work EnvironmentPublic library circulation area, assisting patrons with checkouts and returnsLibrary front desk, handling patron inquiries, shelving, and administrative tasks
Employer & Industry UsagePublic and academic libraries, government agenciesPublic libraries, educational institutions, government libraries
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The Circulation Desk Assistant and Library Clerk roles share similar environments and credentials, often overlapping in customer service and administrative duties. While both work in libraries, the Circulation Desk Assistant primarily focuses on managing checkouts and returns, whereas the Library Clerk may handle broader administrative tasks and patron inquiries. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right position in the library industry.

How much does a circulation clerk make?

A circulation desk assistant typically earns between $10 and $15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the specific library or institution. Entry-level positions may pay closer to the minimum wage, while experienced clerks or those with additional responsibilities can earn higher wages.
What are popular job titles related to Circulation Desk Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA? For Circulation Desk Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Circulation Desk Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Circulation Desk Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Circulation Desk Assistant jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Circulation Desk Assistant job openings:
Circulation Desk Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Circulation Desk Assistant job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,381 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Federal Work Study - Library

San Bernardino Community College District

San Bernardino, CA • On-site

$16.90/hr

Other

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Salary: $16.90 Hourly
Location : San Bernardino Valley College and/or Crafton Hills College, CA
Job Type: Student
Job Number: 007392024
Department: Library
Opening Date: 07/01/2023
Work Schedule: Varies
Work Days/Year: Varies
Job Description
This posting is to establish a pool of qualified applicants. The department may not be actively recruiting. Applications submitted will remain active for up to one (1) year. Should the department be interested in interviewing you, you will be contacted by the department with the information provided in your application.
San Bernardino Community College District accepts applications for Federal Work Study, hourly positions for our two college campuses (San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College) on a continuous basis. However, this does not imply the department is actively recruiting for this position. If there is an interest and/or need within the specific department, applicants who meet the requirements will be contacted by the respective department manager.
Student worker will assist librarians with a variety of reference-area assigned tasks, for example, collection maintenance, research guides, social media and outreach, displays, and data entry.
Student worker will assist circulation desk staff with sorting and reshelving books and materials and other assigned tasks.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
  • Students must have a Federal Work Study award letter for the current academic year
  • Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • Students cannot fall below half-time (6+ units) during their employment under the FWS program.
  • Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units
  • Students must have a minimum of 2.0 GPA
  • Students must have a current TB
  • Ability to follow directions to carry out the duties as assigned
  • Familiarity with various equipment/tools used in the program and/or have completed some courses in the specific program or related field

A preferred qualification is for our student to be pursuing a Certificate program and/or an AA in Library Technology.
Ability to follow directions to carry out the duties as assigned.
Familiarity with various equipment/tools used in the program and/or have completed some courses in the specific program or related fields.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to occasionally lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight up to 25 pounds; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Employment Requirements
Special Instructions
For: Crafton Hills College
Please email the library staff at: clcdesk@craftonhills.edu to schedule an interview once you have submitted an application.
For: San Bernardino Valley College
Please contact Maria Notarangelo via email at to schedule an interview once you have submitted an application.
The person selected for hire will be required to complete the following pre-employment requirements:
  • Submit to and successfully pass DOJ live scan/fingerprinting. Cost of live-scan services to be borne by candidate.
  • Sealed official transcript(s) in envelope from institution or electronic copies emailed directly from institution (for positions with higher education requirement)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment
  • Other pre-employment requirements may be required depending on the position (i.e. certifications or licenses; see job posting qualifications section for details).
Successful completion of all pre-employment requirements is mandatory to be eligible for employment. These requirements are in accordance with the San Bernardino Community College District's
This position is not eligible for full-time benefits.

Apply