Library Employment

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.

 

Exam Notification

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. 

Career Opportunities

Full-Time Library Business Manager

Application Deadline:
to
Address:

101 East Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
United States

Brief Job Description:

The Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) is seeking qualified, inclusive, and collaborative candidates for our Library Business Manager role. The Business Manager position is a provisional, full-time, 35 hour-per-week position, and is part of the Tompkins County Civil Service system. TCPL has 43 FTE and is in downtown Ithaca, NY.

Successful candidates enjoy working with diverse people to serve a diverse public that includes urban and rural constituents. The Business Manager is a senior administrative position that is responsible for the supervision and coordination of the fiscal, human resources, and other operational functions of the Library. Currently, the position is responsible for supervising the principal account clerk and providing guidance, support, and direct coaching. The Business Manager is a contributing member of the Library Leadership Team, helping to support the mission, vision, and goals of the Library by providing insight and guidance from a financial and human resources perspective. Staff rely on the Business Manager for guidance, critical benefit information, and consider them an essential leader. Proven organizational, communication, listening, and teamwork skills are necessary for success. While this position is fiscal in nature, successful candidates understand that people are the job.

The Library Business Manager guides the various aspects of the budget cycle of the Library. TCPL receives funding from Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca, and the Town of Ithaca, each with their own budget processes. TCPL also has two fundraising support organizations – the TCPL Foundation and the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library – and the Library receives collection funding annually from both groups. The budget cycle begins in the Spring and budgets are generally adopted in November. The Business Manager also coordinates the annual Library audit and works closely with auditors and staff to ensure the audit is completed on time. The position is directly supervised by the Library Director and works closely with the Director, Administrative Manager, Board Treasurer, Foundation Executive Director, and Friends Board. Sustainable and relevant library service to the community relies on the cooperation, communication, and camaraderie of staff, Trustees, the Foundation, and Friends in partnership with the County, City, and Town.

The Library Business Manager position requires evening hours for attendance at various meetings and other related events.

The salary range for the position is $70,000 to $85,000.

The position is open until filled.

Tompkins County Civil Service

The Library Business Manager is a provisional appointment. A provisional appointment is a non-permanent appointment pending examination and permanent appointment to a competitive class position. For a permanent appointment, a reachable score on the Business Manager Civil Service exam is required.

Additional information about the Tompkins County Civil Service and this position can be found at https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/civilservice/apply/8381.

About Tompkins County Public Library

Tompkins County Public Library (Ithaca, New York), founded in 1864 by Ezra Cornell, serves the over 100,000 residents of Tompkins County and is the Central Library for the Finger Lakes Library System, serving libraries and users in Tompkins, Tioga, Cortland, Seneca, and Cayuga counties. Tompkins County Public Library strives to meet and celebrate the aspirations of our community. We foster opportunities for people of all ages to discover, connect, and create throughout Tompkins County. Tompkins County Public Library believes that the library is for everyone. We value diverse opinions and respect free speech. Different points of view are allowed and welcomed.

For questions about TCPL, please contact Administrative Manager Mary McKeon at mmckeon@tcpl.org.

Continuous Recruitment

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.

  

Most Common Positions at TCPL

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

 

Study Guides

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.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

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

 

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Adults" group.
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Digital Lab
About this event::
This year the Tompkins County Public Library's Digital Lab will host the Tompkins Area VITA - Free Tax Preparation Service.  This service is available to low-income residents of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, and is completely free as long as y...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Makerspace One-on-One

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cancelled
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Makerspace, One-on-One Appointments
About this event::
What do you want to make? Register for a one-on-one session in the makerspace with Library Assistant Josh to use our laser cutter, 3-D printer, or Cricut.  Sessions are one hour and a maximum of two people are allowed in the makerspace a...
This event is in the "Families" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Families, Kids, Teens
Program Type: STEAM, Technology Class
About this event::
TCPL invites youth 8+, Teens, and families to a weekly robot wrestling in the Makerspace! Each week participants will be challenged to program and tune a robot to be the last one standing in the arena. TCPL will provide three kinds of robots: Auto...
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Makerspace Open Hours

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Makerspace
About this event::
Drop-in open hours, no registration required. Come for a short tour, or stay and work on a project - we have lots of art supplies and ideas to get you making! Visit the Makerspace to use the laser cutter, 3-D printer, Cricut, or sewing/embroidery ...
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.

Winter Baby & Toddler Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: Unlimited
About this event::
Caregivers with toddlers and babies are invited to join Cassie for songs, rhymes, movement and books. Following storytime each week, we'll have a baby & toddler playtime from 11 am - noon. Registration is needed but to receive a weekly em...
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.

Baby & Toddler Playtime

11:00am - 12:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
About this event::
Baby & Toddler Playtime is an unstructured play and social time for children and caregivers offering a warm, child-friendly space with books and age-appropriate toys. ...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Makerspace Open Hours

3:30pm - 5:30pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Makerspace
About this event::
Drop-in open hours are back! Registration is no longer required. Visit the Makerspace to use the laser cutter, 3-D printer, Cricut, or sewing/embroidery machines.  All equipment will be available on a first come first served basis and machine...
This event is in the "Families" group.
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.

Family Storytime

11:00am - 11:30am
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 57
About this event::
Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills at Family Storytime. We meet each Saturday for stories, songs and hands-on fun. Just drop in or register to get a reminder email! ...