Library Assistant; Outreach

Position: Library Assistant (Outreach)
JCFPL

JOB TITLE:

Library Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Outreach Branch

LOCATION: Priscilla Gardner Main Library

REPORTS TO: Outreach Branch Manager

CIVIL SERVICE

JOB TITLE:

Library Assistant

SALARY RANGE: $34,920 - $37,803 per year

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME: Full Time

WORKWEEK: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (scheduled up to 35 hours/week). Evening and weekends will be scheduled as needed.

Final date to receive applications: March 3, 2026

BENEFIT

SUMMARY:

This summary outlines the general benefits available to library employees, designed to support their health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits available to Full-Time Employees:
Medical coverage 60 days from the first day of employment, Prescription coverage is the first of the month following 60 days of employment at no cost to the employee and additional cost per each dependent added. Dental coverage is provided at no cost 60 days after the first day of employment. Vision coverage is provided at no cost and reimbursed at $250.00 per year.

Additional Full-Time benefits include Life & AD&D insurance, 403b, Participation in pension plan (dependent on age at the time of hire date). Part-Time Employee benefits include participation in pension plan and sick/vacation leave. A more detailed summary can be found on our Employment Opportunities page located ibrary.org

JCFPL is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, with ten locations and growing, and a collection comprising over 2.5 million print and digital items. Our staff of nearly 120 dedicated individuals serves the residents, students, and workers of Jersey City: the largest city in Hudson County, N.J., and the second-largest city in New Jersey.

The staff of JCFPL reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Jersey City, which is consistently ranked as the most diverse community in the United States. Collectively, our staff speaks over 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Gujarati, Marathi, Igbo, Portuguese, and others.

JCFPL is committed to building on our strong foundation and expanding our ability to meet the needs of Jersey City's growing and increasingly diverse community.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Overview:
The Library Outreach Assistant is classified as a Library Assistant under civil service and plays a key role in expanding the library's reach by engaging with diverse community members outside of the library's physical locations. This position supports all divisions of the Outreach Branch while performing the standard duties of a Library Assistant, including circulation, shelving, interlibrary loan processing, and other core library functions.
Supervision:
While the Outreach Branch Manager is the primary supervisor, the Library Assistant coordinates with the Supervising Library Assistant and other division staff - such as those overseeing bookmobiles, community outreach, career and education programs, wellness initiatives, and community events - to ensure coverage and effective support for programs, events, and materials across all Outreach Branch divisionswhile performing the standard duties of a Library Assistant.

JOB DUTIES:
Community Outreach:

• Assist in developing and implementing outreach strategies and marketing pieces to increase awareness of library services and programs among targeted community groups.
• Represent the library at community events, fairs, festivals, and other off-site locations to promote library resources and services.
• Distribute promotional materials and provide information about library services to individuals and organizations.
• Collaborate with library staff to develop and deliver engaging and informative outreach activities and presentations.

Program Support:

• Assist in planning, coordinating, promoting and executing outreach programs, including mobile library services, bookmobile visits, pop-up library events, and community-based programs such as story hours, preschool programs, and senior or ethnic group programs.
• Set up and dismantle outreach displays, ensuring materials are organized and accessible.
• Provide direct support during programs, including assisting patrons with library card applications, checking out materials, answering basic inquiries, and ensuring a welcoming environment for all participants.
• Support the preparation and arrangement of library materials for displays, exhibits, and special programs.
• May assist with assembling craft materials, handouts, invitations, registration, and links for virtual or in-person programs.

Library and Circulation Support:

• Support library unit activities such as circulation, shelving, interlibrary loan processing, periodical and book processing sections, and other routine tasks assigned.
• Perform check-in/check-out of library materials, shelving according to Dewey Decimal Classification and alphabetical filing systems, and maintaining organized library collections.
• Register new members, review library card applications for completeness, and update records as needed.
• Answer basic patron inquiries about library hours,…