Library Aide (Part-Time) - San Jose Public Library

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The award-winning San José Public Library (SJPL) consists of more than 600 employees, a 2 3 % bilingual workforce, and has 24 branch libraries across San José, in addition to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, which is the city’s main library jointly operated through a unique partnership with San José State University. SJPL serves a diverse community of roughly one-million residents and currently has nearly 700,000 library members. It annually attracts over 6 million visitors (pre-pandemic) and circulates more than 8 million items per year.

Over the past few years, SJPL has cultivated a 21st century library experience dedicated to public service and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core. In addition to providing library services to the community, SJPL proudly leads two citywide initiatives - the Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the SJ Access digital equity initiative, which has become the number one provider of free public access to Wi-Fi connectivity, tech device lending, and multi-lingual digital literacy programs and support. SJPL is led by Jill Bourne, City Librarian, who was nationally recognized in 2017 as Library Journal’s “Librarian of the Year.”

SJPL enriches lives by fostering lifelong learning and ensuring that every member of the community has access to a vast array of ideas and information. The library department is a place where people do great work and make a difference in our community. To see examples of SJPL’s work and learn more about its impact, visit www.sjpl.org. Join us to make a difference!

Position Duties

The San José Public Library System is looking to fill vacancies throughout our various locations for t his entry-level classification .

Library Aides selected for specific locations are scheduled to work approximately 12 hours per week, on a year-round regular basis. The days and hours assigned will vary depending on which location y ou are assigned to and the scheduling needs of that branch/unit. Most Library Aides will be required to work some evenings and weekends.

The main responsibility of a Library Aide is to file materials on the shelves quickly and accurately and to keep shelves in order so that customers can locate items easily. Library Aides also assist with unpacking, sorting and delivery of library materials; clearing tables and other areas of material and straightening seating areas; setting up displays; opening and closing the facility; emptying book return drop boxes; and other similar duties as assigned. Bilingual skills preferred.

These positions require lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling materials and objects up to 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment; packing, unpacking and transporting shipment boxes; reaching, bending, and stooping to put materials on low and high shelves; actively moving for up to four hours at a time, retrieving items from deep bins, and standing for periods of time.

Please Note - Candidates interested this position must be available to work on Saturday and Sunday rotations .

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

No minimum education or experience required. Must be at least fourteen (14) years of age.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise - D emonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
  

• Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives ; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
  

• Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate .
  

• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
  

• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
  

• Multi-Tasking - can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
  

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process.

Are you at least fourteen (14) years of age?


Yes


No


Select the skill/experience that you possess (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY):


Filing


Numerical Filing


Pushing or pulling heavy items


Sorting Items


Packing/Unpacking bins or boxes


Shelving/Stocking Items


Performing repetitive tasks


None of the above


I am available to work: (select all that apply)


at least twelve (12) hours a week


at least three days per week


at least three hours a day, typically between 8:00 am - 9:00 pm


None of the above


Can you work at any of the City's 25 library locations? (For a complete list of location s , go to http://www.sjpl.org/locations)


Yes


No


Are you available to work Saturday and Sunday rotations?


Yes


No


You have experience working or volunteering in:


A library


in a library-like setting, such as bookstore, retail or office environment.


None of the above


Describe your experience selected above. Include the organization’s name, duration of employment/volunteering, and job duties.


Describe a team project you worked on and what your role was on the team.


Describe your experience working or volunteering in a fast-paced environment.


You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy, or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Daniel Aholt at daniel.aholt@sjlibrary.org .

The application deadline is Fri day, June 6 , 20 25 , 11:59 PM . Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted , you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

Additional Information
This classification is covered by the City of San Jose's minimum wage and pay is now $17.95 an hour for this part-time unbenefited position instead of the posted amount.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City’s PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City’s Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the City’s website.

Closing Date/Time: 6/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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