Library Specialist Substitute

The BPLD is committed to advancing equity in our diverse community by providing accessible programs, print and digital materials, tools and technology, and educational opportunities. Across our five current locations, we are proud to offer resources such as a makerspace, art galleries, outdoor learning areas, a multimedia local history archive, community literacy programs, and a theater. Boulder Public Library strives to be a safe and welcoming place to all staff and patrons, alike. Through outreach, community partnerships, and volunteer-driven programs, we seek to adapt our services to those who may experience barriers to visiting our physical locations.

We circulate more than 1.5 million items annually, but we believe that a library is more than a place to borrow free materials. As a vital civic space, we provide opportunities for our more than 500,000 yearly visitors to study, host meetings, be introduced to new people or experiences, and connect to essential local services.

Our employees are part of a vibrant, uplifting workplace culture that honors the joy and commitment of meaningful public service, while still caring for the needs of the individual. Our work is highly collaborative, adaptive, inquisitive, and is always on-going. We are passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences and we are dedicated to our mission of connecting people, ideas and information to transform lives and strengthen our community.

This position is a substitute position with no guaranteed or set hours.

Job Summary:

The Library Specialist Substitute works a variable schedule including evenings and weekends, sometimes on short notice, on an as-needed basis. Library Specialist Substitutes create a welcoming environment for patrons by greeting them and responding to their requests for service. They assist patrons with their information needs. Substitute shifts may be scheduled at any library.

Essential Functions:

• Provides reference, reader’s advisory, technology, research databases, and library account assistance to patrons at public service desks, by phone which may be in the call center and throughout the library. (100%)

Additional responsibilities:

• Performs opening and closing duties at library facility and provides other backup support to colleagues as needed.
• Communicates effectively with team members to ensure efficient operations.
• Prioritizes tasks and shifts attention as needed to complete daily work.
• Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to library property.

Time-off Benefits

• 48 hours of Paid Sick leave per year for employees

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education and experience: Bachelor’s degree and past work or volunteer experience in a library, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• General Skills: Self-directed and collaborative. Skilled with cash handling.
• Technical skills: Intermediate skills with using personal computers, performing data entry and using information databases.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience providing customer service in a library.
• Spanish language skills and/or experience working with patrons from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience using Prospector or similar union catalog borrowing system.

Working Conditions:

Primarily physical work with repetitive handling of items, frequent walking and standing, occasional lifting of items up to 40 pounds, and occasional pushing of wheeled carts over 100 pounds. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer monitor and operating a keyboard. Requires sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate a computer, office, and library equipment. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permit the employee to work in a multilevel facility. Seeing, hearing, and speaking required.

Please apply by August 7th, 2025 at 4PM. The hiring team will review applicants and interviews will begin the following week.

---

BPLD is committed to advancing equity in our diverse community, and jobs are one great way for us to do this. Please tell us if you need accommodation for a disability to apply for this position. Examples of this could include but are not limited to: A paper copy of the application or emailing the interview questions to you in advance via email or reading the application to an applicant with visual impairment. This is not an exhaustive list. Please note a few things:

• If you need more time to fill out anything on the application, we recommend that you fill out the answers on a word processing document or a text file. The system times out after 30 minutes and does not retain your information. Having it on a word processing document will help in case you need to copy and paste the information back into the application.
• Uploading documents qualifications can impact the formatting of your resume. We will not discount your application if Paylocity transcription alters the formatting.

Reach us at: [email protected], and we will work with you to see if we can accommodate. Please expect that we may need 24-48 hours to review and implement any accommodation