How to hire a library circulation assistant

How to hire a library circulation assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step library circulation assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a library circulation assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new library circulation assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your library circulation assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a library circulation assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect library circulation assistant also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of library circulation assistant salaries for various roles:

   Type of Library Circulation Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Library Circulation Assistant	Library technicians and assistants help librarians with all aspects of running a library. They assist patrons, organize library materials and information, and perform clerical and administrative tasks.	$11-18
   Library Aide	A library aide is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of libraries. Typical duties include assisting customers in finding books, shelving books according to categories, and updating and maintaining customer profiles... Show more	$10-17
   Library Page	A library page is a professional who is responsible for organizing all returned books and other items while putting them in their proper places on the shelves. This library page must retrieve materials that are kept in secured areas and checking items that are returned from patrons... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Library Materials
   • Circulation Desk
   • Library Circulation
   • Customer Service
   • Library Equipment
   • Library Patrons
   • Library Services
   • Dewey Decimal System
   • Interlibrary Loan
   • Library System
   • Library Resources
   • Front Desk
   • Library Policies
   • Library Procedures

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
   • Check books and CDs in and out; put books and CDs back on shelves
   • Develop library collection materials for young adults including award-winning non-fiction and fiction titles.

   More library circulation assistant duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the library circulation assistant job description is a good way to get more applicants. A library circulation assistant salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a library circulation assistant in Texas may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level library circulation assistant. Additionally, a library circulation assistant with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average library circulation assistant salary

   $14.60hourly

   $30,375 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level library circulation assistant salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average library circulation assistant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$40,586	$20
   2	Washington	$40,550	$20
   3	Arizona	$29,167	$14
   4	Kansas	$28,966	$14
   5	Florida	$26,278	$13
   6	North Carolina	$25,830	$12
   7	Texas	$25,143	$12
   8	Missouri	$23,025	$11

   Average library circulation assistant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	The University of Kansas Health System	$36,315	$17.46
   2	University of North Carolina	$33,127	$15.93
   3	Ashland MA Police	$32,398	$15.58
   4	Franklin Pierce University	$30,253	$14.54
   5	Randstad North America, Inc.	$30,216	$14.53
   6	Allendale Charter Township	$30,168	$14.50
   7	The College of Saint Rose	$28,833	$13.86
   8	Sam Houston State University	$28,612	$13.76
   9	City of Prescott	$28,495	$13.70
   10	Covenant College	$28,355	$13.63
   11	Missouri State University	$28,127	$13.52
   12	Lexington Public Library	$27,272	$13.11	2
   13	Tacoma Community College	$25,852	$12.43

4. Writing a library circulation assistant job description

   A library circulation assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a library circulation assistant job description:

   Library circulation assistant job description example

   Application Deadline: Monday, October 17, 2022 at 5:00 PM
   
   Hours: Monday - Thursday, alternate Friday/Saturday with some evenings
   
   Salary: $19.2163 Hourly
   
   $39,969.90 Annually
   
   Characteristics of the Job
   
   Under the close supervision of the circulation services coordinator, performs automated circulation functions of library materials according to established policies and procedures; maintains patron confidentiality; exercises independent judgment in application of a variety of established policies and procedures; provides skilled, efficient and courteous service to the public.
   
   Examples of Duties
   
   Maintain constant contact with the general public on a daily basis to explain and interpret established policies and procedures relating to the library.
   Understand and implement multi-faceted library computer system; perform basic search functions and keep accurate circulation records.
   Assess and manage circulation-related complaints according to established guidelines.
   Calculate and receive payment for lost materials, fines, library cards, rental fees, etc.
   Perform accurate and prompt data entry involving knowledge of state laws and the policies of the library, the library system and the City.
   Operate and maintain general and specialized office equipment, such as cash registers, computers, fax machines, calculator, copy machines, multi-line phone system, etc.
   Provide specialized services, such as Notary Public, passport services, and voters' registrar.
   Other duties may be assigned.
   
   Training and Experience
   
   High school diploma or GED equivalent including or supplemented by computer courses and public service experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
   
   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   
   Knowledge of business English, spelling and arithmetic; modern office practices and procedures; numerical and alphabetical library filing; telephone etiquette.
   
   Skill in public relations; typing, data entry, arithmetic calculations and operating office machines with reasonable accuracy and speed to satisfy departmental needs; skill in communicating with other employees and the general public.
   
   Ability to convey a cheerful and positive personal image; handle confidential information with discretion; exercise initiative, tact and independent judgment within area of responsibility; learn assigned clerical tasks, library terminology and perform detailed accurate work; effectively convey library policies and procedures to the public; learn the use of the library's computer systems and equipment; follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public; learn to operate a multi-line telephone system; work calmly under stressful conditions; adapt to changes; perform several tasks simultaneously. Ability to speak Spanish desirable.
   
   Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
   
   Valid Illinois driver's license or equivalent.
   
   Physical Demands
   
   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, talk, hear and perform considerable repetitive motion involving the use of fingers, hands and limbs. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, bend and lift and push books and other library materials up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
   
   Residency
   
   UAW employees shall live within a 20-mile radius from the City's Emergency Center, located at 1630 8th Avenue in Moline, within 8 months of hire.
   
   EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right library circulation assistant for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with library circulation assistants they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit library circulation assistants who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your library circulation assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit library circulation assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with library circulation assistant candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new library circulation assistant

   Once you've found the library circulation assistant candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new library circulation assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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