Substitute Library Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

The Library Assistant III provides advanced operational and technical support for the Lim Family Library within the Early Childhood Division of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. This position performs complex circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, collection maintenance, and financial processing functions while ensuring the efficient day-to-day operation of the library. The Library Assistant III serves as a primary point of contact for students, families, faculty, and staff, applying knowledge of library science, early childhood education, and child development to provide exceptional customer service and maintain a welcoming, student-centered learning environment. The position also collaborates with librarians on library programming, collection development, displays, special events, and the training of student employees and substitutes.

Responsibilities:

• Performs advanced circulation and patron service functions including checking materials in and out, managing holds, reserves, overdues, replacements, patron records, and circulation policies. Assists students, teachers, staff, and families with library services, troubleshoots catalog issues, performs opening and closing procedures, and ensures a welcoming, developmentally appropriate library environment.
• Performs advanced technical services including copy cataloging, bibliographic and patron record maintenance, processing new materials, applying barcodes, spine labels, stamps, protective coverings, maintaining accurate holdings in Follett Destiny, and ensuring collection organization through shelving, shelf reading, sorting, inventory management, and preservation of library materials.
• Coordinates acquisitions and financial processing by researching vendor information, maintaining purchasing carts, processing orders, verifying shipments, tracking invoices, maintaining inventory records, using University purchasing systems, and managing library supplies.
• Assists with library operations by training and providing day-to-day guidance to student employees and clerical substitutes; collaborates with librarians to improve workflows, library operations, and collection maintenance; assists with communication regarding overdue, lost, and damaged materials.
• Collaborates with librarians on reader engagement initiatives, library displays, signage, passive programming, author visits, story times, book sales, and other special projects supporting the educational mission of the library.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally with students, families, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Ability to apply principles of early childhood development when interacting with young learners.
• Advanced knowledge of library circulation, technical services, acquisitions, and collection maintenance.
• Ability to perform copy cataloging and maintain accurate bibliographic and patron records.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple workflows while balancing public service responsibilities with technical services work.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment.
• Experience using or the ability to quickly learn Follett Destiny, Oracle, Ingram, Microsoft Office, and other library management systems.
• Commitment to intellectual freedom, equitable access, and student-centered library services.

Education:

• High school diploma from an accredited institution or a GED certificate required.
• Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree preferred.

Experience:

• Three or more years of progressively responsible library experience preferred.
• Previous experience in a K–12 educational environment preferred.
• Experience using Follett Destiny or comparable integrated library systems preferred.
• Experience with acquisitions, cataloging, and library technical services preferred.
• Experience working with young children and families preferred.

• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand, bend, reach, shelve, and retrieve library materials throughout the workday.
• Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to work in a moderate dust environment.
• Ability to reach both high and low shelving throughout the library.

Pay Range:

• $20.14 - $29.48

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Professional References