About the Department
Sonoma County Library
Announces an Employment Opportunity
SHELVER - MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
15 HOURS PER WEEK – PART TIME
Candidates who successfully complete the interview process will be added to a pre-qualified list and may be considered for other vacancies that arise in the next twelve months. We are currently accepting applications to fill one vacancy for each of the following location(s):
Northwest Santa Rosa Library
Rincon Valley Regional Library
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under direct supervision, Shelvers perform a variety of entry-level library support duties that help maintain an organized, welcoming, and accessible environment for library users. Typical responsibilities include sorting, shelving, straightening, and related manual work in support of library services. Please see the attached class specifications for full details about this position.
Shelvers are expected to work 3–4 shifts per week, with each shift lasting 3–4 hours. This is a non-benefited position. Spanish bilingual skills desired. Please fill out the required Supplemental Questions including locations of interest on the application.
SALARY RANGE: $20.60/hour; (Bilingual pay eligible upon passing required testing)
CLOSING DATE: 11:59 PM, Thursday, May 28, 2026
EST: JULY 2019
REV: MARCH 2026
FLSA: NON-EXEMPT
SHELVER
Represented
DEFINITIONUnder direct supervision, performs sorting, shelving, and straightening, and related manual work in support of library services.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives functional direction and work assignments from a Library Specialist, Librarian, or other supervisory or managerial staff. This is not a supervisory class.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry level, part-time materials support class in the clerical and technical library support series. Incumbents working in this class provide customer service by ensuring that items are accessible to library users, and by providing directional assistance or referring library users to appropriate staff. The basic library support activities performed by employees in this classification enable incumbents to gain experience performing entry level duties in a public library environment.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
- Sorts and shelves various types of library materials; maintains shelves in proper order and appearance (e.g., outward-facing covers).
- Shelf reads and corrects sorting errors on bookshelves; relocates library materials as required (e.g., other areas of the library, other branches).
- Searches shelves for items and pulls items for a variety of directed purposes.
- Retrieves library materials from book drops or other deposit areas.
- Keeps library premises clean and in good order, collects loose books and materials.
- Stacks books and materials into totes and/or boxes; lifts and transports boxes and totes of books and materials.
- Unloads boxes and totes; moves materials to carts and distributes material to appropriate location in the library.
- Reports books and materials in need of repair and identifies worn or damaged items for withdrawal or replacement.
- Identifies books and materials missing labels or labelled incorrectly.
- Provides assistance to library users by answering basic questions about the location of general sections of the library collection; refers users to appropriate library staff, desks, and departments.
- Notifies management, security, and/or appropriate library staff of issues related to safety.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIESKnowledge of:
- Alphabetical and numeric decimal filing systems for classifying and organizing library materials, such as the Dewey Decimal system.
- Purpose and functions of the library.
- Basic customer service principles.
- Computer use; email and timekeeping functions.
Ability to:
- File materials using alphabetical and decimal numeric filing systems.
- Shelve and relocate library materials.
- Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, in writing, and over the telephone.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Learn and adapt to new technologies and systems.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education and Experience:
Demonstrated ability to read and the ability to file or learn to file alphabetically and numerically. At least 16 years old, and the ability to obtain a work permit if required.
Licenses and Certifications:
None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard library setting; hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the phone. This classification primarily works indoors and requires movement between work areas and performs moderate manual work, such as shelving maintenance activities (i.e., manual placement and organization of books) on a continuous basis for an extended period of time. Finger dexterity is needed to retrieve and shelve library materials. Incumbents in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach to retrieve and shelve library materials. Incumbents must possess the ability to lift, carry, climb, push, and pull items, storage containers, and shelving units weighing an average of 20 pounds, and up to 50 pounds of weight, in order to move materials from one place to another, with the aid of lifting/moving equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees primarily work in a library environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with staff and/or public and private representatives. Employees in assignments providing direct assistance to the public may come into contact with abrasive, disruptive, and/or disorderly members of the community.
WORKING CONDITIONS
May be required to work flexible schedules including evenings and weekends.