Library Assistant ; Grade 15) Afscme Local

In accordance with the Merit System Rules and Regulations, an eligible list, which will be valid for a one-year period and which will be used to fill vacancies during that period, is being established for this classification. Applicants on the eligible list will be certified in accordance with the Merit System and appropriate union contracts.

The examination process for this posting may include an evaluation of training and experience, a written examination, a computerized exam, an oral board interview examination, a performance examination or any combination of the above in order to qualify applicants for placement on the eligible list. The eligible list will be used to fill vacancies that occur within the next year. The appropriate number of names on the eligible list as prescribed by Merit System Section 26.03.505 will be certified to the hiring department for consideration to fill the vacant position(s).

New Castle County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Library Assistant is a paraprofessional position responsible for providing customer service, circulation support, materials handling, and general library assistance. Where Interlibrary Loan (ILL) duties are assigned, the Library Assistant also performs specialized tasks involving requesting, receiving, processing, and shipping materials through statewide and national resource-sharing networks. Work is performed under general supervision and requires accuracy, customer-service skill, and the ability to follow established procedures.

• Provide front-line customer service at the circulation desk, including check-in/check-out, patron registration, account updates, and basic readers’ advisory.
• Assist patrons in locating materials, placing holds, and using the online catalog and self-service equipment.
• Explain library policies, fines, and procedures clearly and courteously.
• Maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and orderly public environment.

• Process incoming and outgoing ILL requests using statewide resource-sharing systems (e.g., Delaware Libraries catalog, intra-system delivery) and national platforms (e.g., OCLC or shared consortia tools) according to established procedures.
• Verify bibliographic information, lender availability, edition accuracy, and delivery requirements for each request.
• Prepare materials for shipment to other libraries, including packaging, labeling, and documenting transactions.
• Receive, check in, and route ILL materials to borrowers; notify patrons of arrivals to ensure timely pickup.
• Monitor due dates and coordinate returns; track overdue loans and follow up with patrons or lending libraries.
• Maintain accurate ILL statistics, logs, and records for reporting purposes.
• Communicate with lending/borrowing libraries professionally to resolve issues (lost, damaged, unavailable items).
• Assist with workflow coordination and quality control for ILL activities during assigned shifts.

• Sort and shelve library materials in correct order; perform shelf-reading and shifting to maintain organization.
• Pull materials for holds, deliveries, and ILL requests promptly and accurately.
• Assist with processing new materials (labeling, covering, barcoding) as needed.
• Help maintain displays, bulletin boards, and merchandising of materials.

• Troubleshoot minor equipment issues and report problems requiring repair or technical attention.
• Use the integrated library system (ILS) to manage circulation transactions and patron accounts.

• Assist librarians with preparation for programs (room setup, materials prep, sign-in sheets).
• Help with…