1

Library Clerk Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Library Assistant Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is seeking Library Assistants to join our Technical Services team. These four (4) full-time positions will support our mission ...

New

Library Assistant

Hillsboro, OR ยท On-site

$25.70 - $31.24/hr

Library Services FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt About the Opportunity: Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is seeking Library Assistants to join our Technical Services team.

Library Assistant

Hillsboro, OR ยท On-site

$25.70 - $31.24/hr

Library Services FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt About the Opportunity: Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is seeking Library Assistants to join our Technical Services team.

Library Assistant

Hillsboro, OR ยท On-site

$25.70 - $31.24/hr

Library Services FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt About the Opportunity: Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is seeking Library Assistants to join our Technical Services team.

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

Library Clerk information

See Portland, OR salary details

$9

$17

$26

How much do library clerk jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for library clerk in Portland, OR is $17.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $19.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to be a library clerk?

Being a library clerk involves tasks such as checking out books, organizing materials, and assisting visitors, which generally require attention to detail and good customer service skills. The job is often part-time and may require basic computer skills and familiarity with library systems, but it is not typically considered physically or mentally demanding. Overall, it can be manageable for individuals who enjoy working in a quiet environment and helping others.

What are some common challenges faced by library clerks, and how can they be managed?

Library Clerks often encounter challenges such as managing a high volume of patron requests during busy periods, maintaining accurate records of borrowed and returned materials, and staying updated with new library technologies. To manage these challenges, strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential. Building effective communication with both patrons and colleagues helps resolve issues quickly, and regular training ensures familiarity with library management systems. Seeking guidance from senior staff and collaborating with team members also fosters a supportive work environment.

What is the difference between Library Clerk vs Library Assistant?

AspectLibrary ClerkLibrary Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalentHigh school diploma or equivalent
Work EnvironmentPublic, school, or academic librariesPublic, school, or academic libraries
Primary DutiesChecking out/in materials, shelving, clerical tasksSupporting library operations, assisting patrons, shelving
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in public and school librariesCommon in public, school, and academic libraries

Library clerks and library assistants often perform similar roles in libraries, with overlapping credentials and work environments. While both support daily library operations, library clerks typically focus on circulation and clerical tasks, whereas library assistants may have broader responsibilities, including patron assistance and collection management.

What is a library clerk in a library?

A library clerk is an employee who assists with daily library operations, such as checking out and returning books, organizing materials, and helping patrons find resources. They often use library management software and may perform clerical tasks like data entry and shelving, typically working during regular library hours.

What does a library clerk do?

As a library clerk, which is sometimes called a library assistant, your responsibilities are to assist librarians with duties like shelving books, help a library patron find reference materials and resources, answer questions or check out books at the circulation desk, and issue library cards. Library clerks also organize books and reference materials, answer phone calls, clean the library, set up rooms in the library for meetings, and plan or host special library events. Library clerks work under the supervision of a librarian and sometimes do so while they train for a future career as a librarian.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a library clerk, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Library Clerk, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with library cataloging systems, databases, and circulation software is typically required. Excellent customer service, communication, and teamwork abilities help you interact effectively with patrons and colleagues. These skills and qualities ensure efficient library operations, accurate record-keeping, and a positive experience for library users.
What are the most commonly searched types of Library Clerk jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Library Clerk jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Library Clerk jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Library Clerk job openings:
Infographic showing various Library Clerk job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Full Time, and 71% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,914 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Library Assistant

Washington County

Hillsboro, OR โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Library Assistant

Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is seeking Library Assistants to join our Technical Services team. These four (4) full-time positions will support our mission by ensuring that our technical services and library materials workflows deliver high-quality books and media to our community, as part of a centrally managed collection. As a Library Assistant, on any given day, you may find yourself:

  • Processing books, media, and other library materials
  • Handling interlibrary loan requests, returns, and processing
  • Handling and shipping library mail service materials for patrons who cannot visit a library on their own
  • Copy cataloging items
  • Preparing and placing orders for materials
  • Contacting vendors to maintain efficient materials acquisition
  • Shelving, pulling holds, and checking in items on our central sorter
  • Assisting patrons on the phone and/or online

Ideal Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

  • Basic data analysis and mathematical principles.
  • Maintain complete and accurate records.
  • Effectively perform work assignments and adapt when necessary.
  • Provide excellent internal and external customer service.
  • Manage time effectively and efficiently while balancing multiple priorities while consistently meeting due dates.
  • Learn, read, and practice library policies and procedures.
  • Adapt to change and try new creative approaches.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals and groups who come from diverse backgrounds and represent members of the public, coworkers, and/or vendors.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

  • One (1) year of experience performing administrative or library support work; six (6) months of the experience must have been in a library.

Additional Licenses, Certificates, Physical Abilities, and Specialty Requirements:

  • Bilingual skills are highly desired, but not a requirement for the role.

About WCCLS:

WCCLS is the primary funding source for public libraries in Washington County and provides the essential infrastructure that links independently operated library buildings together into one system that is accessible to all county residents. This includes library collections, technology access, the integrated library system and discovery layer, materials movement, and administering the cooperative library system, including policies, contracts, data analysis and reporting. The cooperative model ensures that residents in cities big and small, as well as rural and unincorporated areas across the county, have access to the same life-changing library services. Washington County is located just west of Portland, Oregon. We are the second most populous county in our welcoming state and the five most spoken languages after English are Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. With a strong regional tech economy, Washington County has a high median education and income level, and there is strong community support for our public library system. In November 2025, voters supported a significant funding increase for WCCLS. WCCLS is a department of Washington County, and our Board of County Commissioners are great supporters of our library system, including our deeply held value of the freedom to read. Learn more about visiting the beautiful rural areas and the thriving cities of Washington County at tualatinvalley.org.

The Library Cooperative and Centralized Collections

These new positions for WCCLS come out of a multi-year funding and governance evaluation process that our cooperative library system has undertaken. The cooperative system is a partnership between the county, 9 cities and 3 nonprofit associations. Our 12 partners operate 16 library locations, and historically have managed their physical collections locally, while WCCLS provided centralized digital collections. The partners have agreed to centralize collection management and technical services across print and digital by July 2027, to support the long-term fiscal sustainability of the system. Learn more about this transition and see local collection statistics.

The Library Assistants will be joining a new Technical Services team that will be part of implementing centralized collections for the cooperative. They will work closely with our Collections and Materials Movement teams at our Griffin Oaks warehouse and office, helping to support existing programs like interlibrary loan and library mail service and working with their new team to develop technical services workflows.

Selection Process:

You can review our standard selection process here.

Our commitment to you: Washington County is an equal opportunity employer committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on knowledge, skills, and abilities. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We promote employee development and offer an award-winning benefits and wellness program as well as an opportunity to serve and support our vibrant community.