Library Associate

Job Description:

Library Associate

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Library Associate

Purpose:

Under limited supervision, this position performs functions for the daily operations of the public library, including providing information and referral services, technology assistance, public programming, and outreach engagement.

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Greets and welcomes customers.
  
• Provides direct and indirect customer service to staff and public including staffing public service desks, checking materials in and out, pulling holds, re-shelving items, assisting with customer technology questions, creating displays, and other duties as needed.
  
• Creates and implements programs, including outreach engagement, based on community needs and City and department strategic priorities.
  
• Responds to customer inquiries and requests for information in-person, by phone, or online; and refers complex inquiries and requests to professional librarians, facilities, and technical staff when needed.
  
• Research and compiles information and resources.
  
• Provides administrative support including scheduling and coordinating meetings and room reservations, responding to phone calls, distributing mail, ordering supplies, and completing cash handling tasks.
  
• Maintains and manages data, records and reports; and prepares memos, letters, and other documents.
  
• Provides guidance to other Library Associates on an as needed basis.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of money handling and accounting practices.
  
• Knowledge of books, electronic databases, internet resources, bibliographies and reference materials.
  
• Knowledge of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles and practices in libraries.
  
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
  
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  
• Skill in customer service principles.
  
• Skill in oral and written communication.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in planning and organizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software, including Microsoft Office products.
  
• Ability to assist library patrons and other staff.
  
• Ability to provide high-level customer service.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to use library automation and the internet.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with an Associate degree from an accredited college or university, plus one (1) year of experience in a related field.
  
• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of two (2) years.
  

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stoop, bend, walk, and reach to heights of six (6) feet.
  
• Must be able to pull or lift up to fifty (50) pounds.
  
• Must be able to push loaded book truck weighing up to three hundred (300) pounds.
  
• Must have manual dexterity to operate computer keyboard.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, American Sign Language, or other languages as needed by the library location .
  
• Ability to interact and work with children, teens, adults, and diverse populations, including those unhoused, to help them enjoy library resources.
  
• Ability to travel and work at different library locations as needed.
  
• Experience creating public interest activities, events, and/or outreach services.
  
• Experience working in a library, bookstore, service industry, or similar environments.
  
• Ability to assist others with the Windows Operating System, navigat ing the internet, and composing, editing , and printing documents or files.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Position Description:

The Library Associate at the Austin Public Library plays a crucial role in circulating materials and organizing them on the shelves to ensure that both customers and staff can easily find the items they need. They assist customers with their inquiries and help them use and understand library technologies. Library Associates also help with library programs and outreach engagement activities.

Work Location:

Central Library - 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., 78701 (Austin, Texas)

Salary Range:

$22.05 - $24.26

Hours and Schedule

Full-Time/30 hours per week.

The following represents the hours the library is staffed and the times you may be expected to work.

• Sunday 10 am - 6 pm
  
• Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 8 am - 8 pm
  
• Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  
• Saturday 9 am - 5 pm* ( This position requires a regular Saturday shift).
  

Note : Flexibility with the schedule is required . Hours and schedule may vary based on operational or business needs; evenings, weekends, extended shifts, city emergencies, and holidays may be required .

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Benefits: Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Application Information:

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is REQUIRED. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position.
  
• Please be sure to provide a COMPLETE and detailed employment history, including all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.
  
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note: A cover letter and/or resume will NOT be used to substitute for an incomplete job application.
  
• Please understand that your job application, cover letter, and resume will be used to measure or assess your written communication skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, in helping us screen applications and determine candidates to be interviewed.
  

Additional Information:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
  
• All new employees are required to attend City of Austin and Austin Public Library training as scheduled and should arrange their outside schedules to accommodate such training.
  
• This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies ( 90-Day Provision ) of the same job title that may become vacant. The additional vacancies may include a difference in work location, workweek hours, and schedule. Filling additional vacancies from this posting is based on the business needs of the department.
  

If Selected as a Top Candidate:

• Verification of the minimum qualifications (Graduation with an Associate degree from an accredited college or university, plus one (1) year of experience in a related field. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of two (2) years.) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institute.
  

Veteran:

• Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD-214
  

Language:

• Must have the ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English.
  

Critical Employee:

• This position has been designated as Critical. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital, and support activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees are required to telework if they are able to do so away from their designated work site. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.
  

Important Note to Applicants:

• The Austin Public Library reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs.
  
• Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.
  

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-03-17