How to hire a shelver

How to hire a shelver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shelver hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The shelver hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A shelver's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, shelvers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents shelver salaries for various positions.

   Type of Shelver	Description	Hourly rate
   Shelver	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.	$8-14
   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
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Library Materials
   • Dewey Decimal System
   • DVDs
   • Book Displays
   • Customer Service
   • Shelve Books
   • Circulation Desk
   • Library Patrons
   • Library Books
   • Book Drop
   • CDS
   • Front Desk
   • Book Carts
   • Numerical Order

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist patrons in their searches and shelve books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks.
   • Shelve all library material (books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, audio-books, etc . )
   • Shelve fiction, large print and new books.
   • Improve the layout plan of the adult fiction section.
   • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
   • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your shelver job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A shelver can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, shelvers' average salary in missouri is 36% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level shelvers 40% less than senior-level shelvers.
   • Certifications. A shelver with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a shelver's salary.

   Average shelver salary

   $11.58hourly

   $24,091 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level shelver salary

   $18,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a shelver job description

   A shelver 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a shelver job description:

   Shelver job description example

   "Enriching the community through lifelong learning and discovery"
   
   Do you want to accomplish important things in and for our community? Do you believe that libraries can change lives? If so, join our team of dedicated, passionate individuals. Excellent customer service is the number one priority for all ACPL positions. At ACPL, we believe that every staff member plays a key role in delivering top quality service to the residents of Allen County. We are seeking individuals who are interested in helping ACPL further our mission of enriching the community through lifelong learning and discovery.
   
   The responsibilities of a Genealogy shelver include but are not limited to:
   *Assist in the processing of library materials including retrieving and returning books and other items to designated locations.
   *Preservation copying and scanning of bound and unbound materials.
   * Sort and scan various library materials.
   * Answer customers directional questions.
   
   Click here for full job description
   
   You must pass the Dewey Decimal Skills Test before application will be considered. The Dewey Decimal Skills test can be taken at any library location during hours of operation. There is a study guide available on the ACPL career site.
   
   This position is 20 hours per week and will include a mix of day, evening and weekend shifts.
   Compensation & BenefitsStarting pay is $10.40/hour and up based on experience.Access to a Flexible Spending AccountVoluntary insurance options such as term life, critical illness and accident Optional participation in a deferred compensation program Employee Assistance ProgramTwo weeks of vacation accrual and pro-rated holiday pay One week of pro-rated paid sick leave
   This job will remain open until filled.
   
   Everyone belongs at the Allen County Public Library. We are on a mission to recognize, cultivate, and celebrate diversity. We offer collections, services, programs, assistance, and spaces that enrich and reflect our community. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive workforce and establishing ourselves as a communal space of respect, safety, and service. All are welcome to pursue lifelong learning and discovery at ACPL regardless of identity, origin, ability, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, age, or other differences.
   
   The Allen County Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find shelvers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit shelvers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 shelver

   Once you've decided on a perfect shelver candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new shelver first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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