City of Grand Rapids, MI is hiring: Library Assistant II | Seymour in Grand Rapi

Salary: $24.89 - $26.92 Hourly
Location : Grand Rapids, MI
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 937-1125
Department: Library
Opening Date: 11/03/2025
Closing Date: 11/10/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Nature of Work
This part-time position provides paraprofessional and customer service support to various areas of Grand Rapids Public Library with the overall goal of helping patrons access library resources.

The main priority of this position is direct public service and involves helping patrons access library resources in-person, over the phone, and via email. Work is performed under the general supervision of a librarian and may involve coordinating the work of other library employees and volunteers. Other functions include assisting librarians with collection development, programming, presentation of programs, and creating displays.

This particular position has an emphasis on working in a youth services capacity, so applicants need to be passionate and excited working with children, teens, families, and adult caregivers. In addition to the points outlined in the job description, applicants will need to enjoy engaging with the public, performing storytime, and leading and participating in programs and classes for youth of all ages.

This position is regularly scheduled at the Seymour Branch:
A-Week
Mon: OFF
Tue: 12pm - 4pm (Seymour)
Wed: 10am - 2pm (Seymour)
Thur: 10am - 2pm (Seymour)
Fri: 10am - 2pm (Madison Square)
Sat: 10am - 2pm (Seymour)

B-Week
Mon: 12pm - 4pm (Seymour)
Tue: 12pm - 4pm (Seymour)
Wed: 10am - 2pm (Seymour)
Thur: 10am - 2pm (Seymour)
Fri: OFF
Sat: 10am - 2pm (Seymour)

Examples of work:

• Greets visitors; responds to inquiries and answers general questions related to library services and processes, and/or guides them to appropriate staff
• Effectively manages challenging patron interactions through de-escalation
• Provides assistance to library patrons including basic account management, reference services, reader's advisory, technology support, and library information
• Communicates with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate service to the public
• Receives training to provide support systemically at all public service desks; works in other library departments at all locations as needed
• Develops meaningful relationships with families and helps build community among program participants
• Represents GRPL at community events and outreach opportunities
• Assists with planning and implementation of programs and services
• Assists other staff with special projects, research and idea generation; may write, proofread, or edit reports or other documents as needed
• Performs general administrative duties in support of the location or department; may include cash handling, placing supply orders or service requests, and assisting with location equipment issues and maintenance
• Collects, compiles, and reports statistics related to library resources and programs
• Ensures the maintenance, presentation, and accessibility of GRPL's collection
• Respond to and/or direct inquiries to GRPL spaces and services
• Manage patron expectations and behavior in public spaces; ensures a safe and welcoming environment for staff and patrons
• Assist in navigating internal and external technology resources, including but not limited to digital resources, basic email and word processing, internet access, and personal devices.
• Ensures patron privacy and abides by library procedures and state laws
• Performs other tasks of a similar nature as assigned

Minimum Training and Experience

Required:

• High school diploma or a GED

Strongly Preferred:

• A college degree
• 2 years of customer service experience, library experience, cash handling experience, office experience, or some equivalent combination
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish

Other Necessary Qualifications

• Ability to:
  • Provide consistently friendly, accurate, and efficient service to GRPL patrons and staff; ability to make independent and reliable decisions related to patron experience
  • Demonstrate strong de-escalation skills to effectively manage challenging patron interactions
  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers and the public; work collaboratively
  • Assist and instruct patrons around hardware and software issues as they relate to library resources and public workstations
  • Conduct storytimes in front of varying groups and demographics
  • Manage emotions in the workplace and maintain professional composure and judgement
  • Communicate effectively and professionally with diverse groups both verbally and in writing
  • Add, subtract, and perform basic accounting calculations accurately and efficiently
  • Set and meet priorities; adaptability and judgment to reprioritize as needed throughout the course of a shift
  • Perform standardized processes accurately and consistently; follow procedures in processing forms and other communication
  • Make independent and efficient decisions and work without close supervision
  • Maintain an organized and effective work process; flexibility to adapt to changes and updates to processes
  • Maintain library records and prepare reports
  • Work 20-24 hours per week; work evenings and weekends
  • Work at various desks and locations
  • Learn GRPL's patron experience standards and library policies to provide basic account management, reference services, reader's advisory, technology support, and library information
  • Apply patron privacy standards in a wide variety of circumstances with internal and external stakeholders
  • Work with supervisor and process feedback regarding job performance
• Understanding of:
  • General office procedures, processes, and equipment; ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer workstations, typical electronic devices, cash register and POS systems, and software
  • Early childhood learning, literacy, and Every Child Ready to Read philosophies
  • Modern library methods and techniques
  • Grand Rapids community, books, and authors

Other Information

Please note the following:

• A cover letter is required
  • Applicants should attach a cover letter in PDF format that describes their interest in the position, their interest in working at GRPL, and how these interests connect with personal or professional goals.
• All communication regarding this position will be done via email. Please ensure that your email address is up-to-date on your account profile.
• To be eligible for this position, you must apply through

Please visit the for a list of other open positions at Grand Rapids Public Library.

All inquiries related to this posting should be directed to:
Grand Rapids Public Library

111 Library St NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-988-5400 |
GRPL proudly promotes diversity and inclusion in employment, and strives to maintain a workplace culture where respect and positive recognition of differences are cultivated.

Grand Rapids Public Library provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, height, weight, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. GRPL will make reasonable accommodations for employees and job applicants with disabilities.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, transfer, training, promotion, discipline, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and benefits, as well as work-related events and activities.
GRPL | Part-time Employee Benefit Summary

• Employer sponsored HealthiestYou by teledoc Healthcare
• Paid time off
  • Paid holidays
  • Floating holidays
  • Vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Personal time
  • Bereavement leave
  • Parental leave
  • Jury duty leave
• Retirement
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Plan

01

Are you currently employed by GRPL?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you ever been employed at GRPL?

• Yes
• No

03

List all relatives employed at GRPL (enter "None" if you do not have any relatives working at GRPL).
04

This position has the following regular schedule:A Week:Mon - OffTue - 12pm - 4pmWed - 10am - 2pmThu - 10am - 2pmFri - 10am - 2pmSat - 10am - 2pmB Week:Mon - 12pm - 4pmTue - 12pm - 4pmWed - 10am - 2pmThu - 10am - 2pmFri - OffSat - 10am - 2pm Are you able to work these hours?

• Yes
• No

05

In addition to the regularly scheduled hours, this position occasionally works on rotating Sunday afternoons between Labor Day and Memorial Day when the Main Library is open. This currently works out to around 3 Sundays per year. Are you able to work some Sundays?

• Yes
• No

06

This position is regularly scheduled at the Seymour Branch (2350 Eastern Ave SE). Are you able to work at this location?

• Yes
• No

07

This position may occasionally require you to work a shift at a different branch location. Would you be able to accommodate this requirement?

• Yes
• No

08

What is your highest level of education?

• High school diploma/GED
• Some college
• Technical/vocational education or training
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• PhD or Doctorate

09

Do you have at least 1 year of work experience providing service to culturally and economically diverse populations in an urban setting?

• Yes
• No

10

Are you verbally fluent in Spanish?

• Yes
• No

11

If proficient with Spanish, please describe in detail your level of Spanish proficiency.
12

How many years of customer service experience do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• Greater than 2 years

13

Briefly describe your approach to customer service.
14

In order for your application to be considered, we require a cover letter to be attached. Have you attached a cover letter to your application?

• Yes, I have attached a cover letter
• No, I haven't attached a cover letter

15

Please describe your level of proficiency with widely available email platforms, such as Gmail, Hotmail, or Outlook, as well as basic office software/hardware for word processing, spreadsheets, and communication.
Required Question