Job detail for Library Clerk

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Library Clerk
City of Palo Alto
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City of Palo Alto

Library Clerk (Multiple Positions)

SALARY

$27.84 - $34.17 Hourly

LOCATION

Downtown Library, 270 Forest Ave, Palo Alto, CA

JOB TYPE

SEIU Hourly

JOB NUMBER

202601492

DEPARTMENT

Library Services Department

OPENING DATE

09/17/2026

CLOSING DATE

10/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

SALARY

$27.84 - $34.17 Hourly

LOCATION

Downtown Library, 270 Forest Ave, Palo Alto, CA

JOB TYPE

SEIU Hourly

JOB NUMBER

202601492

DEPARTMENT

Library Services Department

OPENING DATE

09/17/2026

CLOSING DATE

10/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Grow Your Library Career | Join the City of Palo Alto Library

The City of Palo Alto Library is looking for dependable, service-oriented individuals to join our team as Library Clerks – Hourly at the Downtown and Rinconada libraries plus additional positions.

This is an excellent opportunity for people with library or customer-service experience who are ready to take the next step in their careers. You’ll expand your , gain valuable front-desk experience, and help create a welcoming and positive library experience for every customer.

If you’re passionate about public libraries, enjoy helping people, and are ready to grow your skills in a community-centered environment, we encourage you to apply.

Multiple Library Clerk – Hourly positions will be filled through this recruitment.

Available Schedules

Downtown Library

  • Friday: 12:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.

  • Saturday: 9:15 a.m.–6:15 p.m.

  • Preference is for both days all day as budget allows

Rinconada Library

  • Friday: 2:15 p.m.– 6:15 p.m.

  • Sunday: 9:15 a.m.–6:15 p.m.

  • Preference is for both days all day as budget allows

At least one additional position in Support Services or Public Service is expected to become available.

Public service positions require a regularly scheduled weekend day and may include evening hours based on operational needs.

The Opportunity

Library Clerks are an important part of the customer experience and daily operations at each library branch.

As a Library Clerk, you will:

  • Welcome customers and assist them with questions, accounts, fines, and library services.

  • Help customers use library computers and other technology.

  • Shelve and organize library materials so customers can find what they need.

  • Maintain accurate information in the library’s computer system.

  • Support daily branch operations and help maintain an organized, accessible, and welcoming environment.

  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to provide responsive and reliable public service.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking individuals who are excited to grow their library experience and take on greater customer-service .

The ideal candidate enjoys helping people, communicates clearly, and brings patience and professionalism to every interaction. They are dependable, attentive to detail, comfortable learning new technology, and able to balance independent with the needs of a collaborative team.

Previous library or customer-service experience will help you thrive in this role.

Why the City of Palo Alto Library?

The City of Palo Alto Library is recognized for its innovative approach to public service and its commitment to creating welcoming spaces where people can discover, learn, and connect.

Our five libraries serve a community that values lifelong learning, intellectual curiosity, and equitable access to information. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to build your skills while working alongside talented colleagues who are passionate about exceptional library service.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

  • Build valuable customer-service and front-desk experience.

  • Expand your knowledge of library services and branch operations.

  • Strengthen your communication, technology, and problem-solving skills.

  • Take on increased responsibility within a supportive and collaborative team.

  • Help create welcoming spaces where community members can learn, discover, and connect.

  • Gain experience that can help prepare you for future opportunities in libraries and public service.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re excited to grow your skills and help provide an outstanding library experience for our community, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and take the next step in your career with the City of Palo Alto Library.

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Essential and other important and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • May answer customers' questions.

  • Checks in/out items; performs standard, holds, special handling and sorts; issues library cards.

  • Works at the Accounts Desk; handles customer accounts and fines; provides computer assistance; performs shelving.

  • May assist customers with library technology.

  • Maintains computer files for library materials; adds, deletes and updates information.

  • Data entry of bibliographic data into the online library system.

  • Communicates with vendors to request approved items or to ask questions; refers further communications to the supervisor.

  • Accepts and unpacks deliveries and shipments of library materials; checks for accuracy; returns incorrect or damaged materials to vendors.

  • Receives and invoices materials into the library's computer system.

  • Performs RFID tagging Performs shelf reading.

  • Assists in the setup of programs; performs program cleanup.

  • Processes LINK+ items and locates items listed on hold for the library branch or on reserve for LINK+.

  • Assists with special projects and programs.

  • May perform mail delivery.

  • Provides basic assistance to customers.

  • Performs related duties and as required.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

  • High school diploma or equivalent and 6 months experience working in a library

EmployerCity of Palo Alto

Address

250 Hamilton Ave

Palo Alto, California, 94301

Phone (650) 329-2376

Websitehttps://www.paloalto.gov/Home

EmployerCity of Palo AltoPhone (650) 329-2376 Websitehttps://www.paloalto.gov/HomeAddress

250 Hamilton Ave

Palo Alto, California, 94301

Library Clerk (Multiple Positions) Supplemental Questionnaire* QUESTION 1 How much experience do you have working in a library setting?

No library experience

Less than six months

Six months to less than one year

One to two years

More than two years

  • QUESTION 2 Please indicate the areas in which you have experience. Select all that apply.

Shelving or organizing library materials

Shelf reading, shifting, or maintaining collections

Assisting customers in person or by telephone

Assisting with customer accounts, payments, or fines

Helping customers use computers or other technology

Entering or updating information in a computer system

Supporting library programs or events

Other related library or customer-service experience

Technical processing and quality control

Preprocessing books for shelf-ready delivery

None of the above

  • Required Question
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