What are the responsibilities and job description for the Library Assistant position at Town of San Anselmo?
THE TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO IS SEEKING A LIBRARY ASSISTANT
Entry-Level | Benefit-Eligible Part-Time
Salary: $31,457-$38,224 Annually (DOE/DOQ)
The Library Assistant is an entry-level position responsible for supporting daily library operations, including: assisting patrons with accessing library resources, providing excellent customer service, managing the circulation of materials, and supporting library staff with a variety of clerical and program-related tasks. This is a part-time position (0.53 FTE, approximately 20 hours per week) reporting directly to the Circulation Supervisor (Lead Library Assistant) and receiving general direction from the Town Librarian. This position does not include any staff supervisory responsibilities but may assist with overseeing library volunteers.
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ABOUT THE TOWN
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The Town of San Anselmo is nestled at the base of Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, California. Renowned for its picturesque downtown, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant community, the Town is home to approximately 13,000 residents and spans about 2.7 square miles. Residents enjoy an abundance of activities, from hiking and biking in the surrounding parks and natural reserves, to community events like parades and outdoor concerts.
Located just 20 miles north of San Francisco, San Anselmo’s proximity provides easy access to a rich array of cultural, dining, and entertainment options. Historically, it has been a hub for artists, writers, and musicians inspired by its natural surroundings and welcoming community. While primarily residential, San Anselmo’s economy thrives on a diverse mix of local businesses, drawing visitors from across Marin and the Bay Area.
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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
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Established in 1915, the San Anselmo Public Library is a historic Carnegie Library located in the heart of downtown San Anselmo. The Library is dedicated to providing equitable access to information, high-quality books and media, and engaging programs and exhibits that support lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and intellectual curiosity for community members of all ages.
Led by the Town Librarian, the library team includes an Adult Services Librarian, a Children’s Librarian, a Circulation Supervisor (Lead Library Assistant), and two Library Assistants who work collaboratively to deliver exceptional service and meet the evolving needs of the community. Staff support a wide range of library services, including circulation and reader assistance, early literacy and youth programming, technology support, research and reference services.
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COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
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The Town offers a generous compensation and benefits package to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of its employees, including:
BASE SALARY
$2,621 – $3,185 monthly
$31,456 – $38,223 annually
- Salary range placement is dependent on qualifications and experience.
- A 5.5% salary increase is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
1. HEALTH INSURANCE
The Town participates in the PERS health insurance program and offers multiple plans. The Town pays 100% of health insurance premiums for employees and eligible dependents, up to the cost of the Kaiser plan based on the employee’s coverage level.
2. DENTAL INSURANCE
The Town provides mandatory dental insurance through Delta, with an annual benefit maximum of $2,000.
3. VISION INSURANCE
The Town covers annual eye exams, one lens change each year, and one frame replacement every two years, with a $25 employee deductible.
4. CALPERS RETIREMENT
New full-time employees are enrolled in the CalPERS PEPRA Miscellaneous pension plan (2% @ 62), which provides a retirement benefit equal to 2% of an employee’s highest three-year average salary for each year of service.
5. DEFERRED COMPENSATION (457)
The Town offers a voluntary retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute pre-tax earnings to supplement their pension benefits.
6. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
The Town offers a pre-tax flexible spending account through payroll deductions to reimburse eligible out-of-pocket healthcare and dependent care expenses.
7. LONGEVITY PAY
Employees receive longevity pay based on continuous service with the Town, up to 6%, based on their date of hire:
2% at 10 years
2% at 15 years
2% at 20 years
8. LIFE INSURANCE
The Town fully covers life insurance coverage equal to two times an employee’s salary, up to a maximum of $75,000.
9. WAIVED COVERAGE CASH BACK
Employees who are already covered under another insurance plan and choose to waive all Town coverages (except dental) may receive cash back up to $365 per month.
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ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES
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CIRCULATION SERVICES
- Staff the circulation desk and perform circulation duties, including checking library materials in and out, processing renewals, collecting fees, and placing and monitoring holds
- Calculate, collect, and reconcile fees at the circulation desk for lost or damaged materials and clear fines from patron records
- Register new patrons, issue library cards, and process patron information changes
- Perform prescribed opening and closing procedures for the library
- Sort incoming materials and perform routine data entry
PATRON SERVICES & REFERENCE ASSISTANCE
- Respond to patron questions about library services, policies, and hours in-person and by telephone
- Resolve routine patron problems in accordance with established library policies and procedures
- Assist patrons in locating and selecting print and non-print materials
- Explain use of the library catalog, internet, and photocopy equipment
- Assist patrons in using digital resources under indirect staff supervision and respond to routine reference questions, which may include bibliographic searching of library holdings
COLLECTION MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE
- Catalog, maintain, and manage adult and juvenile periodical collections, including overseeing development, organization, growth, and ongoing maintenance
- Search for paged items daily and run reports in the library’s system to monitor status of holds, in-transit, and paged items
- Check the condition of books and other library materials and identify items requiring repair or replacement
- Perform minor repairs to books and periodicals and verify cataloging and labels
- Select and order books online through the library’s acquisition systems
INTERLIBRARY SERVICES
- Prepare interlibrary loan requests
- Check in, alphabetize, and shelve items on hold shelves
- Attend staff meetings and trainings, both in-house and at other MARINet libraries
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THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
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EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
At minimum, the candidate should possess:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- One (1) year of responsible clerical experience with public contact
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
The candidate should possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license for the duration of their employment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Knowledge of the fundamental purposes, typical content, services, and practices of modern public libraries
- Knowledge of library-specific software, such as Sierra
- Knowledge of basic mathematics and standard office methods, practices, and procedures, including the use of computer equipment
- Knowledge of professional customer service practices, including excellent public reception and telephone etiquette
- Knowledge of alphabetical, numerical, and topical filing systems and recordkeeping procedures, including indexing and cross-referencing methods
- Ability to accurately perform clerical work while managing interruptions, review materials related to library operations, and resolve routine operational situations
- Ability to understand, interpret, and explain library policies and procedures and monitor patrons and volunteers as assigned
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; gather information through effective questioning; and interact courteously and professionally with a wide variety of library users
- Ability to work assigned shifts, including evenings and weekends
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be regularly required to:
- Sit for extended periods and intermittently stand, walk, squat, kneel, twist, or climb
- Use hands to handle, reach, and grasp, push, pull, and perform tasks requiring fine motor manipulation, including using a telephone or keyboard to communicate
- Regularly lift and carry up to 25 pounds and occasionally move up to 50 pounds
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
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HOW TO APPLY
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To apply for this position, please submit a completed online application by Friday, March 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Your application must include the following:
1. Letter of interest
2. Your current resume
3. Completed Town employment application
APPLY ONLINE: http://sananselmo.gov/apply
Only applications submitted through the online portal will be accepted. Applications that are incomplete or submitted by mail or email may not be considered.
The Town of San Anselmo is an equal opportunity employer and supports workplace diversity.
QUESTIONS?
Email: hr@sananselmo.gov
Phone: (415) 258-4691
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RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
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- RECRUITMENT OPENS: TUESDAY, MAR 10
- RECRUITMENT CLOSES: FRIDAY, MAR 27 (5:00 PM)
- INTERVIEWS: THURSDAY, APR 2 (9:00 AM-5:00 PM)
- BACKGROUND CHECK: WEDNESDAY, APR 8 (Estimated)
Pay: $31,457.00 - $38,224.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $31,456 - $38,223