Library Employment

We are seeking talented, creative, and forward-thinking individuals to become part of the Tompkins County Public Library team, dedicated to creating a library where everyone belongs.

Compensated positions at Tompkins County Public Library are civil service positions and are supported by our local civil service agency, Tompkins County Department of Human Resources, which accepts applications, conducts civil service examinations, and provides lists of eligible candidates to the Library. All professional and support positions require applicants to take a written exam or a training and experience exam except for the library page position. For more information on the civil service process, please visit the Tompkins County Human Resources Department website.

You can opt to receive email notifications from Tompkins County about new civil service job postings.

CLERK

Tompkins County has opened an application for the Clerk exam through March 28, 2024. You can apply to take the exam by visiting https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/. The Clerk exam will take place on May 11, 2024.

Clerk Exam posting (PDF)

LIBRARIAN I

Tompkins County has opened an exam for Librarian I. You must have already registered to take the exam, a Training and Experience Checklist, which must be completed by midnight on March 31. 

Continuous recruitment positions are those for which we continuously accept applications. When a vacancy occurs we will review the applications on file to fill the position. Below are those positions that are continuous recruitment:
 

Library Clerk

Many of the clerk positions are customer service jobs assisting patrons at the front circulation desk. Clerks register people for library cards, check materials in and out, and handle accounts. Clerks also process materials and handle ordering and receiving of materials.

Senior Library Clerk

Senior Clerks have additional responsibilities including supervising services and staff.

Library Page

Page work involves the shelving of books and library materials and performing minor clerical tasks. This position requires no prior experience as employees are trained on the job, and no exam is required.

Apply for the library page position by visiting the Vacancy List on the Tompkins County Department of Human Services website. Scroll down the page until you see "Page," and begin your application by clicking "Apply." Although this position appears on the Current Vacancy Lists page, it doesn't mean the library currently has an opening, but that we are always accepting applications for this position.

Library Page

Page work involves shelving of books and library materials and performing minor clerical tasks. This position requires no prior experience as employees are trained on the job, and no exam is required.

Library Page job description

Clerk and Senior Clerk

Many of the clerk positions are customer service jobs assisting patrons at the front circulation desk. Clerks register people for library cards, check materials in and out, and handle accounts. Clerks also process materials and handle ordering and receiving of materials. Senior Clerks have additional responsibilities including supervising services and staff.

Library Clerk Job description
Senior Library Clerk job description

Librarian I, II, and III

Librarian positions include purchasing the materials and curating the collection, answering reference questions, managing projects and staff, maintaining the Library's electronic presence, and participating in outreach services. All librarian positions require a Master's degree in Library Science (MLS) or a Master's of Science in Information Science (MSIS) from a library school that is accredited by the American Library Association or recognized by the New York State Education Department.

Librarian I job description
Librarian II job description
Librarian III job description

Some study guides are posted on the Personnel Department web site. Others can be ordered from the LEAP program of the Civil Service Employee Association; order forms are available from the Tompkins County Personnel Office or online at the Civil Service Employees Association website.

Study guides may also be available in the library in the Test section under the subject heading Civil service — Examinations. Please ask a staff person for assistance.

If you are interested in unpaid volunteer work, please take a look at our volunteer opportunities.