Salary: $25.89 - $28.00 Hourly
Location : Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Library, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 937-0725
Department: Library
Opening Date: 07/13/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Nature of Work
This part-time, 20-24 hour per week position provides paraprofessional and customer service support to various areas of Grand Rapids Public Library with the overall goal of helping patrons access library resources.
The main priority of this position is direct public service and involves helping patrons access library resources in-person, over the phone, and via email. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Circulation Operations Supervisor.
This position is regularly scheduled at the :
Monday: 1:30 - 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 1:30 - 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:30 - 5:30 pm
Thursday: 1:30 - 5:30 pm
Alternating Friday/Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Sunday: Occasionally required between Labor Day and Memorial Day 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Core Competencies:
Customer Service & Community Engagement
- Greets visitors and provides assistance to library patrons including basic account management, reference services, reader's advisory, technology support, and library information.
- Responds to inquiries and answers general questions related to library services and processes, and/or guides them to appropriate staff.
- Responds to and/or directs inquiries to GRPL spaces and services.
- Represents GRPL at community events and outreach opportunities.
- Assists with planning and implementation of programs and services.
Technology Support & Digital Literacy
- Assists in navigating internal and external technology resources including but not limited to digital resources, basic email and word processing, internet access, and personal devices.
Communication
- Communicates with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate service to the public.
- Assists other staff with special projects, research and idea generation; may write, proofread, or edit reports or other documents as needed.
Operational Support
- Performs general administrative duties in support of the location or department including cash handling, placing supply orders or service requests, and assisting with location equipment issues and maintenance.
- Provides support systemically at all public service desks; works in other library departments at all locations as needed.
- Collects, compiles, and reports statistics related to library resources and programs.
- Ensures the maintenance, presentation, and accessibility of GRPL's collection.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensures a safe and welcoming environment for staff and patrons by managing patron expectations and behavior in public spaces through de-escalation.
- Ensures patron privacy and abides by library procedures and state laws.
Minimum Training and Experience
Required:
- High school diploma or a GED
- 2 years of customer service experience, library experience, cash handling experience, office experience, or some equivalent combination.
Preferred:
- A college degree
- Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish
Other Necessary Qualifications
Ability to:
- Provide consistently friendly, accurate, and efficient service to GRPL patrons and staff; ability to make independent and reliable decisions related to patron experience.
- Demonstrate strong de-escalation skills to effectively manage challenging patron interactions.
- Assist and instruct patrons around hardware and software issues as they relate to library resources and public workstations.
- Learn, effectively use, and adapt to ongoing changes in technology including library-specific and office software
- Solve research problems and provide reader's advisory service; knowledge of community, books, and authors; knowledge of digital resources, reading devices and platforms; ability to learn and apply modern library methods and techniques and to acquire familiarity with the GRPL system and services offered
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers and the public; work collaboratively.
- Manage emotions in the workplace and maintain professional composure and judgement.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with diverse groups both verbally and in writing.
- Add, subtract, and perform basic accounting calculations accurately and efficiently.
- Set and meet priorities; adaptability and judgment to reprioritize as needed throughout the course of a shift.
- Perform standardized processes accurately and consistently; follow procedures in processing forms and other communication.
- Make independent and efficient decisions and work without close supervision.
- Maintain an organized and effective work process; flexibility to adapt to changes and updates to processes.
- Maintain library records and prepare reports.
- Work 20-24 hours per week; work evenings and weekends.
- Work at various desks and locations.
- Learn GRPL's patron experience standards and library policies to provide basic account management, reference services, reader's advisory, technology support, and library information.
- Apply patron privacy standards in a wide variety of circumstances with internal and external stakeholders.
- Work with supervisor and process feedback regarding job performance.
Understanding of:
- General office procedures, processes, and equipment; ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer workstations, typical electronic devices, cash register and POS systems, and software.
Other Information
Please note the following:
- A cover letter is required
- Please attach a cover letter in pdf format that describes your interest in the position, your interest in working at GRPL, and how these might tie in with personal or professional goals
- All communication regarding this position will be done via email; it is your responsibility to ensure that your email address is up-to-date on your account profile
- To be eligible for this position, you must apply through the
Please visit the for a list of other open positions at Grand Rapids Public Library.
All inquiries related to this posting should be directed to:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-988-5400 |
GRPL proudly promotes diversity and inclusion in employment, and strives to maintain a workplace culture where respect and positive recognition of differences are cultivated.
Grand Rapids Public Library provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, height, weight, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. GRPL will make reasonable accommodations for employees and job applicants with disabilities.
This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, transfer, training, promotion, discipline, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and benefits, as well as work-related events and activities.
GRPL | Part-time Employee Benefit Summary
- Employer sponsored HealthiestYou by teledoc Healthcare
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Floating holidays
- Vacation
- Sick leave
- Personal time
- Bereavement leave
- Parental leave
- Jury duty leave
- Retirement
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Plan
01
Are you currently employed by GRPL?
02
List all relatives employed at GRPL (enter "None" if you do not have any relatives working at GRPL).
03
What is your highest level of education?
- High school diploma/GED
- Some college
- Technical/vocational education or training
- Associates degree
- Bachelors degree
- Masters degree
- PhD or Doctorate
04
Are you verbally fluent in Spanish?
05
Are you able to work the required schedule?
06
In addition to the regularly scheduled hours, this position occasionally works on rotating Sunday afternoons between Labor Day and Memorial Day when the Main Library is open. This currently works out to around 3 Sundays per year. Are you able to work some Sundays?
07
This position may occasionally require you to work a shift at a different branch location. Would you be able to accommodate this requirement?
08
This position regularly uses technology to issue library cards, communicate with staff and patrons, access internal documentation, etc. as well as providing basic technology help to patrons on library computers and their personal devises such as phones and tablets. How comfortable are you with using technology?
- Not at all comfortable
- Comfortable
- Very comfortable
09
How many years of customer service experience do you have?
- Less than 1 year
- 1-2 years
- Greater than 2 years
10
Briefly describe your approach to customer service.
11
In order for your application to be considered, a cover letter is required. Please indicate below whether you have attached a cover letter to your application.
- Yes, I have
- No, I haven't
Required Question