Part Time Library Jobs in Portsmouth, RI (NOW HIRING)

Open until filled

Join Our Team! Part-Time Library Customer Services Associate
Hourly Rate: $19.46 | 12-19 Hours/Week | may include some Evenings & Saturdays
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Are you passionate about helping people and love being around books, technology, and community? We're looking for a friendly, motivated Library Customer Services Associate to join our team and be the welcoming face of the library!

In this public-facing role, you'll connect directly with library users-checking out materials, issuing library cards, recommending great reads, and assisting with technology and digital resources. If you're a people person who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys making someone's day a little better, we'd love to meet you!

What You'll Do:

• Help patrons check out, renew, and request materials
• Issue library cards and maintain user records
• Answer questions and provide top-notch service
• Assist with technology-everything from the catalog to our eLibrary
• Re-shelve returned materials and process inter-library loans
• Explain library policies and help resolve routine issues
• Be part of a friendly, collaborative team

What You Bring:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Comfort using a cash register and basic computer tools (Windows, web browsers, social media)
• A customer-first attitude and a calm, courteous demeanor
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• The ability to move materials (lift up to 25 lbs, push carts, stand for extended periods)
• Flexibility to adjust to a fast-paced, dynamic public service setting
• Bonus points if you have prior library or customer service experience-especially with the SIRSI/Dynix system or SAILS network

The Details:

• Part-time: 12-19 hours/week
• Schedule may include evenings and some Saturdays
• Starting pay: $19.46/hour with annual step increases
• No additional benefits
• Covered under the collective bargaining agreement with the Seekonk Public Library Employees Association, MLSA, AFT Mass.

Ready to apply?

Upload your cover letter and resume addressed to Library Director Elise LaForge

We're excited to hear from enthusiastic candidates who want to make a difference in our community through exceptional library service!

Job Title: Customer Service Inventory Associate

Department: Library

Supervisor: Library Director

Status: Union

Salary: Step 1 - $19.46 per hour

Union: Seekonk Public Library Employees Association, MLSA, AFT Mass

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Hours/Week: 12-19 hours per week

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Customer Service Inventory Associate is responsible for providing quality customer service and maintaining and organizing the library collection.

SUMMARY: Work includes assisting patrons with locating library materials, coordinating inter-library loans, corresponding with patrons regarding overdue items and renewals, assisting with the use of equipment and technology, issuing library cards and museum passes, and checking materials into and out of the library. This position works with confidential information and must use proper discretion when dealing with this information. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

SUPERVISION: Employee works under the general supervision of the Customer Services Supervisor, the direction of the Library Director/Associate Director. The employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently with specific instruction. The supervisor provides additional, specific instruction for new, difficult or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods. The employee refers unusual situations to the supervisor for advice and further instructions. Reviews and checks of the employee's work are applied to an extent sufficient to keep the supervisor aware of progress, and to insure that completed work and methods used are technically accurate and that instructions are being followed.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Consequences of errors or poor judgment may include labor/material costs, and adverse public relations.

JUDGMENT: Numerous standardized practices, procedures, or general instructions govern the work, and in some cases, may require additional interpretation. Judgment is needed to locate, select and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation or guideline.

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of a variety of duties which generally follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. The sequence of work and/or the procedures followed vary according to the nature of the transaction and/or the information involved, or sought, in a particular situation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Employee performs work in a typical library setting with little or no physical demands or occupational risks. A great deal of work is carried out in a team environment, as well as with the public, and involves frequent explanation, interruption, discussion, or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines in order to render service, plan or coordinate work efforts, or resolve operating problems. More than ordinary courtesy, tact and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints or deal with hostile, uncooperative or uninformed persons.

OCCUPATIONAL RISK: Duties of the job present little potential for injury. Risk exposure is similar to that found in typical library settings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Provides customer service support to the Seekonk Public Library.
• Responds to inquiries, requests and/or complaints from patrons; conducts research and resolves problems; explains library policies and procedures.
• Operates library equipment including computers and instructs patrons in the use of programs, internet use, and other equipment used by the public.
• Assists in circulation duties at the front desk and in the Children's Room, checks books in and out of the library, calculates and collects fees.
• Registers patrons and issues library cards and museum passes.
• Maintains records and generates reports regarding library activities.
• Maintains abreast of current interests in literature to provide readers' advisory to patrons.
• Maintains a neat and orderly library collection, shelves books and materials, organizes and properly places items in designated areas.

QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. This position is an entry level position with on-the-job training provided.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Knowledge: General knowledge of library services and systems, use of office equipment, computer programs, and use of the internet.

Ability: Interact courteously and patiently with the public, and perform tasks despite frequent interruptions.

Skills: Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Excellent communication skills, in person, by phone, and electronically.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here 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 position's essential functions.

Physical Skills: Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort involves sitting, stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as ledger books, photocopy, and computer paper.

Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a personal computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, sorting of papers.

Visual Skills: Position requires routine reading of documents and reports for understanding. Color vision is beneficial for this position.

Posted 8/27/2026