Senior Library Assistant (Branches)

Senior Library Assistant (Branches)

Salary

$43,330.51 - $51,937.80 Annually

Location

BPL Fields Corner - 1520 Dorchester Avenue

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00109

Department

Boston Public Library

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

11/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits

Overview

Includes library assistants working in the branch libraries whose duties involve the following: greeting and directing patrons, registration of borrowers, charging and discharging of books and other materials, maintaining the book and other materials collections, maintaining/troubleshooting equipment, typing/word processing, and filing.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Branch Librarian or ranking staff member, and in accordance with standard policies and practices, performs any or all of the following:

• Greets and directs library patrons in person and over the phone, providing simple directions and information.
• Gives out and interprets BPL policies and procedures in a professional and courteous manner.
• Identifies and refers problems to their supervisor.
• Charges and discharges books and other materials, receives and records fines.
• Interviews applicants for library cards and verifies identification.
• Prepares periodicals for circulation and maintains the periodical collection.
• Books museum passes.
• Receives and routes requests, including basic interlibrary loan requests, maintains the reserve shelf, and handles the send item list.
• Receives, sorts, shelves, verifies, delivers, mends, and bar-codes books, and traces records and searches shelves for books not properly accounted for.
• Assists in maintaining bulletin boards and exhibition cases.
• Typing/word processing simple forms and records.
• Compiles basic statistical records.
• Operates and provides basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, e.g., turning on and off, cleaning, filling with paper, replacing toner cartridges.
• Uses and assists patrons in the basic use of a variety of library-owned technological equipment, e.g., photocopier, public computer sign-up systems, audiovisual equipment.
• Sorts and routes U.S. Mail.
• Attends training when directed.
• Performs other related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Education - High school graduate or GED.
• Experience - None required.
• Tact in dealing with people; good oral skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff; demeanor appropriate to the workplace.
• Competency in the use of personal computers and Windows software is sufficient to meet the tasks of the position.
• Dependability, good attendance, and a punctuality record.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

CORI & SORI CHECK REQUIRED - Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of Boston.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: AFSCME/LA-3

Hours per week: 35

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.

At the City of Boston, we provide our employees with a wide array of benefits and resources that foster both their professional and personal development. Our goal is to make City government a place where everyone is empowered to make a positive impact for the communities in which we live, work, and play.

For full-time positions, employees may be eligible for the following benefits depending on the nature of their employment and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the position. View the Collective Bargaining Agreements page to learn more.

Benefits Available to City Workers

• Retirement & Savings Opportunities: Membership in the Boston Retirement System (BRS), a benefit pension plan providing lifetime income to vested employees when they retire, along with deferred compensation options to help you build a secure future. Visit boston.gov/retirement to learn more.

• Health Insurance & Benefits: The City offers competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus flexible spending (FSA), dependent care accounts, and life insurance for our employees. Visit boston.gov/insurance to learn more.

• Other Benefits: City employees enjoy a benefits package featuring paid time off and leave, subsidized transit (MBTA and Bluebikes), educational assistance, and employee wellness programs. Visit boston.gov/life-city-boston to learn more.

• Salary information: To view salary plans and understand how salaries work at the City of Boston, go to boston.gov/salary.

Part-time employees who are scheduled to work for 20 hours or more per week may also be eligible for benefits on a pro-rated basis. Please refer to the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to learn more about any benefits available for this position.

If you have any questions about the benefits offered for this position, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 617-635-3370 or ohr@boston.gov.

Employer City of Boston (MA)

Address 1 City Hall Plaza, Room 612

Boston, Massachusetts, 02201

Phone 617-635-3370

Website https://www.boston.gov