Circulation Associate
Smith College, Northampton, MA, United States
If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at .
Department Libraries
Job Description
Job Summary
The Library Circulation Associate serves as a frontline representative of the library, delivering outstanding customer service and support at the service desks. This role primarily involves assisting users with all circulation activities, answering inquiries, and facilitating access to library services and spaces. Additionally, the associate is responsible for supporting course reserves, managing library facilities and space usage, as well as handling security and emergency incidents during assigned shifts. Hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising student employees is also a key responsibility of this position.
Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
Essential Functions
Library Staffing & Public Service (90%)
Staff the service desks
Provide direct, high-quality service to patrons at the service desks: Welcome users, maintain borrower accounts, explain policies, and make referrals to other library or campus departments as appropriate; Perform all circulation activities (checking in and out library materials, assisting patrons with locating library materials, etc.); Answer general inquiries about library services, policies, hours, and collections in person, by phone, and electronically and correctly refer the questions as appropriate
Open and close the library
Identify, report, and document facility and security issues working with appropriate departments as needed
Resolve patron disputes when possible or refer patrons to the appropriate staff
May be required to substitute evenings and weekends
Provide backup support at Hillyer and Josten libraries to meet departmental needs
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the library's mission and user experience
Promote a welcoming, inclusive environment by responding to patron needs with patience, empathy, and efficiency.
Support day-to-day space management, including enforcing policies related to noise and room usage
Serve as first point of contact during incidents or emergencies; follow established procedures to ensure patron safety and coordinate with campus safety as needed
Assist in the hiring, training, scheduling, and day-to-day supervision of student workers
Provide on-the-job support and guidance to student employees and staff to ensure quality service and workflow continuity
Plan and provide student employee orientation and ongoing training sessions
Provide backup staffing when student employees are not available
Course Reserves (10%)
Process course reserve requests in coordination with faculty and other library departments
Ensure timely availability and accuracy of physical and electronic course materials
Collaborate regularly with reserves staff to establish and update departmental workflows for reserve processing
Monitor and respond to messages in the reserves email account
Communicate with faculty and department coordinators for clarification, copyright and other issues
Outside of peak reserve processing season, provide support to other library departmental needs
MINIMUM REQUIRED
Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, licenses, knowledge, skills)
Associate's Degree and 1 to 5 years experience in customer service / direct support
Skills: Demonstrated exceptional customer service, including creative problem-solving and a commitment to equitable access; computer skills and ability to learn and apply new technologies; attention to detail and organizational skills; ability to independently manage multiple priorities and tasks; ability to work closely and problem-solve with colleagues from all library departments, students, faculty, and staff
Preferred
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years experience in libraries
Library system (e.g. FOLIO)
Supervisory experience
Work Schedule:
Sunday & Thursday: 3:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Friday: 1:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Hours: 28 hours per week / 52 weeks per year
Compensation This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with a progressive wage schedule. The Step 1 hourly rate is $24.03. New hires are typically placed at Step 1.
Position Type
Regular
Please attach
BOTH
a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position .
Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.
You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.
Review of applications will begin
April 24, 2026
About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at
.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.
Department Libraries
Job Description
Job Summary
The Library Circulation Associate serves as a frontline representative of the library, delivering outstanding customer service and support at the service desks. This role primarily involves assisting users with all circulation activities, answering inquiries, and facilitating access to library services and spaces. Additionally, the associate is responsible for supporting course reserves, managing library facilities and space usage, as well as handling security and emergency incidents during assigned shifts. Hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising student employees is also a key responsibility of this position.
Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
Essential Functions
Library Staffing & Public Service (90%)
Staff the service desks
Provide direct, high-quality service to patrons at the service desks: Welcome users, maintain borrower accounts, explain policies, and make referrals to other library or campus departments as appropriate; Perform all circulation activities (checking in and out library materials, assisting patrons with locating library materials, etc.); Answer general inquiries about library services, policies, hours, and collections in person, by phone, and electronically and correctly refer the questions as appropriate
Open and close the library
Identify, report, and document facility and security issues working with appropriate departments as needed
Resolve patron disputes when possible or refer patrons to the appropriate staff
May be required to substitute evenings and weekends
Provide backup support at Hillyer and Josten libraries to meet departmental needs
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the library's mission and user experience
Promote a welcoming, inclusive environment by responding to patron needs with patience, empathy, and efficiency.
Support day-to-day space management, including enforcing policies related to noise and room usage
Serve as first point of contact during incidents or emergencies; follow established procedures to ensure patron safety and coordinate with campus safety as needed
Assist in the hiring, training, scheduling, and day-to-day supervision of student workers
Provide on-the-job support and guidance to student employees and staff to ensure quality service and workflow continuity
Plan and provide student employee orientation and ongoing training sessions
Provide backup staffing when student employees are not available
Course Reserves (10%)
Process course reserve requests in coordination with faculty and other library departments
Ensure timely availability and accuracy of physical and electronic course materials
Collaborate regularly with reserves staff to establish and update departmental workflows for reserve processing
Monitor and respond to messages in the reserves email account
Communicate with faculty and department coordinators for clarification, copyright and other issues
Outside of peak reserve processing season, provide support to other library departmental needs
MINIMUM REQUIRED
Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, licenses, knowledge, skills)
Associate's Degree and 1 to 5 years experience in customer service / direct support
Skills: Demonstrated exceptional customer service, including creative problem-solving and a commitment to equitable access; computer skills and ability to learn and apply new technologies; attention to detail and organizational skills; ability to independently manage multiple priorities and tasks; ability to work closely and problem-solve with colleagues from all library departments, students, faculty, and staff
Preferred
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years experience in libraries
Library system (e.g. FOLIO)
Supervisory experience
Work Schedule:
Sunday & Thursday: 3:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Friday: 1:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Hours: 28 hours per week / 52 weeks per year
Compensation This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with a progressive wage schedule. The Step 1 hourly rate is $24.03. New hires are typically placed at Step 1.
Position Type
Regular
Please attach
BOTH
a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position .
Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.
You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.
Review of applications will begin
April 24, 2026
About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at
.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.