2026 Library Assistant On-Call

The Oregon City Public Library is looking for enthusiastic, experienced, and service-oriented team players to serve as On-Call Library Assistants. This is an ongoing requisition meant to create a pool of applicants. The library reviews applications as-needed, so there may be delays in communication.

Our Library serves more than 60,000 people who live and work within the City of Oregon City and in surrounding unincorporated Clackamas County.  We are a member of the LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) cooperative, whose member libraries serve over 420,000 people throughout Clackamas County.

We are seeking On-Call Library Assistants to work in multiple areas throughout the Library:

• Youth Services – You will be responsible for helping children, families, and educators find books and online resources in the library; shelving and pulling holds; and other projects as assigned, including filling book displays and assisting with preparation for children's programs.  Ideal candidates for positions in Youth Services will have experience working with children age birth to fourteen.
• Adult Services - You will be responsible for assisting adults with locating materials, placing holds (including inter-library loan requests), using digital resources, reserving a study room, shelving, pulling holds, and other projects as assigned. Ideal candidates for positions in Adult Services will be comfortable with technology.
   
   
• Circulation Services – You will be responsible for greeting patrons, opening library cards, taking fine payments, and answering general questions both in person at our lobby desk and over the phone. Additionally, you will be part of the team that handles the movement of library materials including patron returns and holds. Ideal candidates for positions in Circulation Services will be adaptable and responsive, enjoy public service, and have a flexible schedule.
• Carnegie Computer Lab -  You will be responsible for assisting patrons with technology. This includes, but is not limited to: basic instruction and troubleshooting for public computers, printer, copier, internet usage, Microsoft Office, and e-books/e-readers. Ideal candidates for positions in the Carnegie Computer Lab will be patient and have basic computer and problem-solving skills to create a positive experience for patrons of all ages and abilities. Library reference experience a plus.

Assists patrons with finding library materials.  Helps patrons use resource searches and library materials to locate information of interest.


Charges out and checks in library materials.  Collects service charges on overdue, lost, or damaged materials. Types overdue notices and similar short forms.
 
Sorts and files books. Maintains routine files related to Library operations. Accepts applications for library cards.
 
Prepares books and other materials for circulation.  Applies labels, and covers to books and audiovisual materials. 
 
Shelves and re-shelves books into proper alpha or numeric category.
 
Checks in periodicals received by the Library.  Discards periodicals according to instructions.  Displays or files periodicals as appropriate.
 
May catalog pre-classified books and other library materials by obtaining the correct bibliographic record on-line from a computer database. 
 
Performs clerical tasks such as data entry into to pre-established databases using data entry screens, and processing reports on items such as books that are missing, replaced, transferred, or discarded. 

Assists other staff with preparation for and presentation of children’s programming.
Participates in library beautification efforts such as but not limited to displays, placing and aligning materials on shelves, furniture arrangements and cleanliness, and appearance of entry ways.
Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Knowledge and Skills

Requires basic knowledge of library clerical procedures and basic familiarity with reference tools and sources including use of automated library card catalogs. Requires a basic understanding of the Dewey Decimal System of classification and the American Library Association rules for filing. Requires sufficient human relations skill to exercise patience and deal courteously with patrons of all ages. Requires sufficient math skill to compute sums, products, quotients, and percents. Requires sufficient writing skills to compose routine memos and announcements.

Abilities

Requires ability to perform all the duties of the position and to follow detailed procedures such as library filing rules. Requires the ability to work with a diverse customer population of all ages. Requires the ability to work as contributing member of a team, work productively and cooperatively with other teams and external customers, and convey a positive image of the City and its services. Requires the ability to learn library filing systems. Must be able to learn to perform transactions within an automated library system. May be required to work evenings and weekends.

Physical Abilities

Incumbent must be able to function indoors in an office and/or library circulation desk environment engaged in work primarily of a moderately active nature. Requires hearing and speech ability for ordinary conversation and to project voice to a small group.   Requires sufficient manual and/or finger dexterity to type/keyboard and otherwise operate microcomputers and other office equipment. Requires ambulatory ability to sit, walk, to move about office environs, and to lift and carry light to medium weight materials on an intermittent basis.

Education and Experience

The position requires a High School diploma plus 1 year of experience in a library, educational support setting, or equivalent in customer service. College-level courses and/or a certificate in library science is preferred and may substitute for some experience. Competency in a second language is desired.

Licenses and Certificates

May require a valid driver's license.
Must pass a criminal background check.

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors with minimal exposure to health and safety hazards.

The City of Oregon City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The City of Oregon City is an Equal Opportunity Employer; it is the City’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, uniformed/military service or veteran’s status, use of the worker’s compensation system, expunged juvenile records, or any other protected status or activity in accordance with applicable law. It is the City’s policy to make employment, internship, volunteer selection, etc. decisions based on its evaluation of an individual’s qualifications, ability and contribution to the success of the City.

We will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, certifications, and experience to meet the minimum positions qualifications. If you are interested in applying for this position, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skillset for the role.

Studies have shown that many candidates are less likely to apply for a job if they do not believe they meet all of the hiring criteria. Our talent acquisition goals include hiring the candidate who is best able to meet the performance objectives of this role. We therefore encourage persons with non-traditional skill sets and experiences to apply, and to take the time to explain how those skills and experiences qualify them for this role.