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Library Circulation Assistant Jobs in Walpole, MA

BRANCH MANAGER

Worcester, MA · On-site

$77K - $101K/yr

Partner with Manager of Borrower Services, Assistant Managers of Circulation, and Deputy Director ... Act as Librarian-In-Charge at branches and at Main Library when assigned * Interpret library ...

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Library Circulation Assistant information

See Walpole, MA salary details

$8

$17

$26

How much do library circulation assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for library circulation assistant in Walpole, MA is $17.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.12 and $19.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectLibrary Circulation AssistantLibrary Clerk
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions may prefer library experienceHigh school diploma or equivalent; minimal certification needed
Work EnvironmentPublic library, school library, or academic library settingPublic or academic library, often in customer service roles
Job ResponsibilitiesChecking out/in materials, managing holds, assisting patrons with library systemsChecking out materials, managing returns, assisting with basic library tasks
Common UsageOften used interchangeably in job postings and industrySimilar roles, sometimes used in different regions or institutions

Both roles involve assisting with library operations and customer service, with slight variations in responsibilities and terminology. The Library Circulation Assistant typically has a broader scope in managing circulation systems, while the Library Clerk may focus more on basic check-out and returns. Both positions require similar credentials and work environments, making them closely related in the library industry.

What are Library Circulation Assistants?

Library Circulation Assistants are staff members who manage the daily operations at a library's circulation desk. Their responsibilities typically include checking books and other materials in and out, assisting patrons with library accounts, shelving items, and answering basic questions about library services. They also help maintain the organization of library collections and may handle overdue notices or fines. Circulation assistants play a key role in ensuring that the library runs smoothly and that patrons have a positive experience.

What are some common challenges faced by Library Circulation Assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Library Circulation Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as assisting patrons at the front desk, managing check-ins and check-outs, and resolving overdue or lost material issues. One common challenge is handling high-volume periods when many patrons require assistance simultaneously. Effective time management, clear communication, and familiarity with library software can help manage these busy times. Additionally, maintaining a calm and patient demeanor ensures positive interactions with patrons, even during peak hours.

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

To thrive as a Library Circulation 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 often required. Excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving abilities help you interact effectively with patrons and staff. These skills ensure efficient library operations, positive patron experiences, and accurate record-keeping.

What Does a Library Circulation Assistant Do?

A library circulation assistant provides basic support to the circulation clerk, other library staff, and patrons. Your daily responsibilities involve maintaining circulation and the circulation desk, returning books and reference materials to the shelves, shelf maintenance as necessary, and clerical functions like data entry. Additional duties include checking books, magazines, and other library materials in and out, inputting data, and assisting patrons in person and over the phone. You are responsible for referring in-depth research requests to librarians.

What job categories do people searching Library Circulation Assistant jobs in Walpole, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Library Circulation Assistant jobs in Walpole, MA are:
What cities near Walpole, MA are hiring for Library Circulation Assistant jobs? Cities near Walpole, MA with the most Library Circulation Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Library Circulation Assistant job openings in Walpole, MA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,191 per year, or $17.4 per hour.
USER SERVICES MANAGER, University Libraries

USER SERVICES MANAGER, University Libraries

Boston University

Boston, MA • On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Boston University rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

181st of 544 rated colleges and universities


Job description


The Boston University Libraries seek a User Services Manager to meet the research and curricular needs of Libraries users by providing leadership and management of BU Libraries' service points operating outside of regular business hours. Reporting to the Head of Access Services and Library Experience, this position is responsible for daily operations of Libraries service points in the evenings and on weekends, including building access, customer service, circulation services, course reserves, triaged reference work, directional help, and other front-line services. The manager ensures continuity of service across shifts and branch locations and maintains expectations for service levels with their team of evening and weekend user services staff. This position contributes to the development of departmental policies and ensures their consistent implementation across operating hours as well as to projects aimed at the improvement and cohesion of user experience for library patrons, including leading project teams and organizing staff efforts to advance ongoing projects for improving collections and services.
The User Services Manager will:
  • Hire, train, schedule, supervise, develop, and evaluate personnel staffing service points in BU Libraries branches with shifts that commence after 3 p.m. Participate in a rotation with other User Services Managers and Head of Access Services and Library Experience as an on-call manager outside of regular work hours. Managers on call will, as necessary, receive notifications for unplanned absences, monitor staffing levels (full time staff and student), redeploy staff to meet shortfalls, answer staff questions, and address any escalated service issues or incidents.
  • Oversee and model excellent customer service at Libraries service points, aligned with the expectations of Libraries leadership and the Libraries Service Philosophy. Provide day-to-day leadership, prioritizing and delegating responsibilities and tasks. Identify and address emergent issues of staffing or service provision. Coordinate with the Boston University Police Department to support and ensure patron safety and building security.
  • Coordinate across the Access Services unit to identify areas for collaboration and support in service delivery. Maintain familiarity with various workflows and projects across the unit and identify opportunities for cross training. Produce training and documentation enabling both full time and student staff to support evolving departmental needs. Play a lead or key role in special projects aimed at improving and standardizing service.
  • Collaborate with other managers and colleagues responsible for service points across the library system, ensuring consistency of service quality and user experience. Facilitate resource sharing, including staffing, across branch service points. Participate on relevant departmental and library-wide committees and working groups as directed to advance emergent and long-term strategic needs of the libraries to advance and improve the experience of library users.

Required Skills
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Minimum three years of relevant professional experience.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

For consideration, please submit a cover letter, CV, and list of professional references. The position will remain open until filled.
Working at Boston University Libraries
Boston University Libraries is a learning organization that supports BU librarians, archivists, and information and subject specialists seeking and sharing knowledge, practices, and perspectives that advance library collections services, and their own professional development. In a collaborative, supportive, and engaging work environment, BU Libraries expert staff assist multidisciplinary research and exploration, build distinctive collections and archives of enduring research value, and empower users to thrive amid an ever-changing information environment.
Located in the heart of Boston, the BU Libraries are embedded in numerous vibrant regional and national library and information specialist networks. The BU Libraries are active members within the Boston Library Consortium (BLC), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Northeast Research Libraries Consortium (NERL), HathiTrust, and the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and library staff at BU serve as engaged thought-leaders on a wide breadth of library management and service areas across diverse communities.
Boston University, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), is one of the leading private research and teaching institutions in the world, with three primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the globe. Chartered in 1869, the University is home to more than 33,000 students from more than 130 countries, 375,000 living alumni, 10,000 faculty and staff, and 17 schools and colleges.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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About Boston University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. Boston University is committed to generating new knowledge to benefit society. We remain dedicated to our founding principles: that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international. These principles endure in the University’s insistence on the value of diversity, in its tradition and standards of excellence, and in its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world. Boston University comprises a remarkable range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs built on a strong foundation of the liberal arts and sciences. With the support and oversight of the Board of Trustees, the University, through our faculty, continually innovates in education and research to ensure that we meet the needs of students and an ever-changing world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

1839

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