Substitute Librarian

Position Overview

Part Time, Non Permanent Position for a Substitute Librarian in the City of Huntington Beach.

Provide staff support and customer service to patrons within the Community & Library Services Department
, including Administration, Facility Rentals & Maintenance, Outreach & Training Services, Programs & Youth Services, Public & Information Services, and Technology & Collection Management. The opening is within the Public Services Division and may involve work at both the Central Library and branch libraries.

The ideal candidate possesses effective communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with the ability to relate to a diverse group of people. You must have strong customer service skills, be comfortable using library technology, and be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

This recruitment may close at any time once the hiring manager determines that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Temporary/part‑time employment is restricted to 1,000 hours within a 12‑month period (July 1–June 30) and does not qualify for City benefits, except those required by law. Enrollment in an alternative retirement program is mandatory, requiring a 7½% employee contribution to the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS). Employment may end with or without notice. Further restrictions apply to CalPERS Retired Annuitants.

• Assist patrons of all ages in accessing library collections, facilities, and services; demonstrate use of resources, tools, equipment, and electronic reference sources; facilitate digital downloads.
• Conduct reference interviews to assess and satisfy customer information needs.
• Answer readers’ advisory and general reference questions from telephone, webpage, and in‑person queries using print and non‑print resources, including electronic resources.
• Perform bibliographic searches using both print and non‑print sources.
• Outreach to the community, community organizations, and schools; inform members and organizations about library services, programs, and collections.
• Organize, maintain, and catalog/index print and digital materials.
• Assist with collection development as appropriate.
• Respond to suggestions, requests, or concerns from library users or community members.
• Participate in meetings, committees, or projects to enhance library services or promote consistent policies and procedures across the department.
• Engage in special reading, research, and professional development activities such as workshops, conferences, and continuing education to remain abreast of current literature and professional trends.
• Maintain and troubleshoot electronic and online resources.
• Represent the department at professional meetings as required and promote library services.
• Compile and draft library activity reports and statistics.
• When assigned as Librarian‑in‑Charge, moderate difficult patron interactions, apply and implement library policies and guidelines appropriately, adjust policies on a case‑by‑case basis, refer unresolved issues to a Senior or Principal Librarian or management, address building malfunctions and emergency maintenance issues, schedule adjustments for unplanned absences, and open/close the facility.

• Assist with special programming.
• Update and maintain book displays.
• Update book lists and youth‑specific flyers, bookmarks, and other promotional material.
• Create youth book bundles.
• Staff the Youth Services reference desk.
• Assist with Beanstack database maintenance.
• Provide research assistance with grant applications.
• Assist with program registrations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Accelerated Reader and Lexile reading levels and assist parents and youth in locating materials within these frameworks.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the summer reading program.

• Respond to troubleshooting requests for staff and public equipment and digital resources.
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of new and existing library technologies.
• Instruct staff and patrons on software and technologies.
• Collaborate with city information services staff to monitor status…