LIBRARY ASSISTANT FULL-TIME ONLY (PAY GRADE 15) AFSCME LOCAL 1607

LIBRARY ASSISTANT FULL-TIME ONLY (PAY GRADE 15) AFSCME LOCAL 1607

Salary

$34,951.00 - $56,932.00 Annually

Location

New Castle County Gilliam Building, 77 Reads Way, New Castle, DE

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

00308

Department

Community Services

Division

Community Services

Opening Date

10/01/2026

Closing Date

10/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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.

Candidates may submit online employment applications using the NEOGOV online application system available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/nccde.

EXAMINATION PROCESS: 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 employees are generally hired at the starting salary and may be eligible for merit increases each year upon receipt of a satisfactory performance evaluation, up to the maximum salary.

New Castle County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

JOB DESCRIPTION

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Public Service & Circulation

• 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.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Support

• 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.

Materials Handling & Collection Support

• 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.

Technology & Patron Assistance

• 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.

Programming & Outreach Support

• Assist librarians with preparation for programs (room setup, materials prep, sign-in sheets).
• Help with program delivery for children, teens, or adults under guidance of professional staff.
• Support community outreach events by preparing materials or staffing tables under supervision.

Administrative Support

• Prepare routine reports such as daily cash logs, circulation statistics, and ILL activity summaries.
• Answer phone and email inquiries; respond to routine questions or route to appropriate staff.
• Assist with maintaining supplies, ordering basic materials, and general branch organization.
• Support enforcement of library policies with tact and fairness.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of library circulation practices, materials organization, and basic public library operations.
• Skill in customer service, interpersonal communication, and working with diverse populations.
• Ability to use integrated library systems, computers, office software, and common library technologies.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to follow established procedures while recognizing when to seek guidance.
• Organizational ability to manage multiple priorities, including time-sensitive ILL activities.
• Ability to lift, sort, and move library materials efficiently.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required; or an equivalent combination of experience, education or training directly related to the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Two (2) years of customer service, clerical or library experience preferred.
• Experience with shipping, inventory or materials tracking desirable for ILL duties.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work performed in a public library setting with extensive contact with patrons.
• Requires standing, bending and lifting library materials (up to ~35 lbs.).
• Evening and weekend work required according to branch schedule.
• May involve travel to other branches or training locations within the County.
• Must pass a Class III County physical examination and a background check.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Laura McDermott

Office of Human Resources

Laura.McDermott@newcastlede.gov

Health Insurance: Starts the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period from the date of hire. Charges for coverage vary depending on type and level of coverage chosen. The following plans are currently available through Highmark (Comprehensive 80% Plan; a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) and Aetna (Open Access HMO.) Deductibles and co-pays may also apply.

Dental Insurance: Starts the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period from date of hire. Currently, there are two PPO options and an HMO option. Charges vary depending on type and level of coverage chosen.

Sick Leave: Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.

Vacation: Vests on December 31 of the calendar year preceding the vacation year. Vested vacation is to be used in the 12 months following the vesting date. Employees are entitled to vacation as follows:

• Less than 12 months service -- 1 day for each completed month of service to a maximum of 10 days
• 1 - 4 years of service -- 10 days of vacation
• 5 - 9 years of service -- 15 days of vacation
• 10 - 14 years of service -- 20 days of vacation
• 15 years of service -- 25 days of vacation
• 15+ years of service -- 25+ days of vacation (an additional day for each successive year of service)

Holidays: 13-1/2 paid holidays per year (1/2 day on Christmas Eve).

Life Insurance: Provided by the County in the amount of one and one-half times your salary. Minimum benefit -- $50,000; Maximum benefit -- $200,000.

Pension: Employee contributory amount of three percent of base salary to defined benefit plan. County will make a non-elective contribution of one percent of base salary to defined contribution account. In addition, the County will also make an annual matching contribution of one hundred percent of employees contribution, up to a maximum of two percent to defined contribution account. 10-year vesting.

Deferred Compensation Plan:

Optional employee contributory plan available.

Additional Benefits: Salary increases each year dependent upon appropriate negotiated increase and/or merit increases; Credit Union, Blood Bank, Sick Leave Bank (after two years of service), Fitness Center, and an Employee Assistance Program are all benefits available to employees at no cost.

Supplemental Benefits: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional life insurance, vision, group accident, group hospital indemnity, group disability, and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.

Union Affiliation: Some positions are affiliated with a local bargaining unit, and, therefore, will require a monthly dues deduction ranging from $23 to $46.65 per month.

Special Note: The above benefits are subject to change. For detailed information on any of the above, contact the Office of Human Resources at (302) 395-5180.

Revised: 12/15/15

01

Do you posses a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least two (2) years of customer service, clerical or library experience? If yes, please describe your experience in detail.

03

Do you have experience with shipping, inventory or materials tracking for Interlibrary loan duties? If yes, please describe your experience in detail.

Required Question

Employer New Castle County Government

Address 87 Reads Way

New Castle, Delaware, 19720

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/nccde