Statement of Duties

We seek a cheerful, enthusiastic, and flexible individuals who possess a strong attention to detail and who want to join a team committed to providing excellent library services to patrons of all ages. The part-time Library Assistant will be responsible for ensuring high quality service to patrons and assist with assigned library tasks.

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.

Performs basic circulation and service desk transactions, including checking out materials, creating new library cards, and troubleshooting account issues
Assists patrons with using public computers, printers, copier/scanner, and fax machine
Provides light support during programs, including checking in patrons, setting up and taking down the room before and after programs, and other tasks as assigned
Under the direction of a librarian, refills displays, and performs collection maintenance
Assists with public desk coverage in other departments during employee breaks
Shelves books and other library materials
Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Requires High School Diploma; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Multilingual ability preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities And Skill

Knowledge: Working knowledge of basic public library concepts and resources

Abilities: Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately and thoroughly, Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and push book trucks weighing up to 50 pounds.

Skills: Strong excellent attention to detail. Excellent customer service skills and communication skills.

Must be available evenings and weekends, up to 19 hours per week.

Must be flexible, particularly concerning schedule.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employees will be required to work nights and weekends, as the library is a public building open in the evenings and on weekends.

Physical And Mental 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

Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books and office equipment, as well as pushing book carts.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job requires minimal motor skills for activities such as moving books, using a personal computer, telephone, and/or most other office equipment.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading both a computer screen and printed documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Hours: Part Time. Must be able to work weekdays, weeknights and Saturdays. Up to 19 hours per week. Must be flexible, particularly concerning schedule.

Salary: $20.72 hourly, non-benefits eligible

Union: Non-Union

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Date Posted: April 24th, 2026

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Long term disability through Sun Life
Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
Annual cancer screening & wellness release
Somerville Retirement Pension System
Tuition reimbursement
MBTA pass program
FREE Blue Bikes membership
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.

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Part-time Library Assistant