Employment

If there are no current postings, the Library accepts applications, which are kept on file for four months. Applications are reviewed if a position becomes available. How to Apply

 


Working in a Public Library

In a public library, you work with a wide range of materials, knowledge and information in a setting where everyone is welcome. People of all ages and backgrounds come to the library to explore their interests and indulge their curiosity, or simply find a great book to read. Helping people to find just the right information to explore new ideas or make good decisions makes working in a library one of the most interesting and satisfying jobs in the world.

If you are enthusiastic, organized and enjoy working with people in a busy environment, consider working at SPL. Although previous library experience is valuable, we are looking for people who are personable, hardworking, eager to learn and team-players. The ability to communicate in a second language (e.g. Punjabi or Mandarin) is an asset, as is previous experience working with computers and technology. People with excellent skills working with young children and those with experience as a storyteller are also needed.

Typical Positions Available:

The Library usually seeks candidates in the following job classifications:

Student Librarians - Library school students who have completed the core courses may apply for casual employment as a Library Technician.

Student Library Technicians - Library technician students may apply for casual employment as a Circulation Services Assistant.

Foreign-trained librarians and library technicians -
Click here for more information.

How to Apply

Applications can be emailed to splemployment@surrey.ca,
dropped off at any Surrey Libraries Branch,
faxed to 604-598-7310, or mailed to our Administration Office.

Clerks & Assistant applications must include:
- an application form (available at branches or online) 
- a cover letter,
- and a resume.

Librarians & Library Technicians must include:
- a cover letter,
- a resume,
- and an academic transcript.


Applications are kept on file at Library Administration for four months and are reviewed when there is a position to be filled. Only candidates who are considered will be contacted. As a condition of employment, candidates who have been offered employment will be required to complete Criminal Record Checks.

 

About Surrey:

Surrey is one of Canada's fastest growing cities and is home to almost 500,000 residents.

Projected to surpass the population of Vancouver by 2020, Surrey is a dynamic city bounded by the Fraser River to the north and east and by farmlands and ocean to the west and south. It is the transportation crossroads for the Province and easily accessible by Skytrain.

Surrey’s City Centre has been identified as Metro Vancouver's ‘2nd metro-politan core' and is experiencing exponential growth and redevelopment. Our diverse population has a truly international flavour and Surrey is the destination of choice for many newcomers to Canada.

Surrey is home to many families and children and is the largest school district in the Province.

It also boasts numerous parks and a vast agricultural land reserve, creating a network of natural landscapes throughout the city.

The Library serves its community through nine branches, with each library having its own distinct personality.

We strive to provide excellent, customer focused and responsive service to achieve our mission of providing and promoting access to the world of information and ideas, encouraging literacy and supporting lifelong learning.

An award winning, progressive Library system, we value our staff and are deeply connected to the community we serve.

Circulation Services Clerks are responsible for shelving library materials and keeping the library tidy and organized. Circulation Services Clerks must be physically fit and able to lift and carry books and other library materials on a regular basis.

Qualifications: Good spelling and sorting skills are required.

Printable flyer: an opportunity to work as a Circulation Services Clerk

Circulation Services Assistants responsibilities include the checking in and out of books and other materials, collecting fines and fees, issuing library cards to new customers and answering routine questions from the public.

Qualifications & Requirements:

  • completion of Grade 12
  • minimum keyboarding speed of 35 words per minute
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • good communication, spelling and sorting skills

Other assets:

  • general office experience including familiarity with computers and computer programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • communication in another language

Printable flyer: an opportunity to work as a Circulation Services Assistant

Collections Services Clerks are responsible for preparing books and other materials for branch and public use. Work is performed in an office team environment with no public interaction.

READ-Ability Services Clerks are responsible for circulating and checking materials for customers who are homebound or have other special needs. Work is performed in an office team environment with some public interaction.

Qualifications: completion of Grade 12, a keyboarding speed of 35 words per minute and preferably some general office or customer service experience.   

Library Technicians perform paraprofessional, technical work as Information Services Technicians or Youth Services Technicians on the Information service points. Work includes providing reference and readers' advisory services and assisting in the planning and presentat ion of programs and library tours and community outreach. Some Technicians may perform acquisitions or cataloguing work in the Collections Services Department. Some technicians with excellent readers' advisory skills may also work in the READ-Ability Services department.

Qualifications: completion of an approved Library Technician diploma program, keyboarding skills of 35 words per minute, plus some related library experience.

Selection Process: We require library technicians to take job specific tests, usually prior to the interview. For example, Information Services Technicians are required to pass a two-hour written test demonstrating reference and readers’ advisory knowledge, as well as customer service and high level clerical skills. During the test applicants have access to a computer and are encouraged to use the library catalogue, the Internet and other online resources as needed to complete the exam. The test is primarily made up of questions that are typically asked at our public library information desks. The Youth Services Technician test is similar to the Information Services test but focuses on services to children and also has a storytime demonstration component. The READ-Ability Services Technician test is similar but focuses on Readers’ Advisory. The Cataloguing Technician test is also a two hour written test, but is about cataloguing and classification.

Printable flyer: an opportunity to work as a Library Technician

Interested in finding out more about being a Library Technician?
Check out the following links:

Librarians perform professional work such as providing information, reference and readers' advisory services, maintaining and updating a variety of print and electronic references sources, presenting programs to promote the library and effective use of our resources. In many cases, they act in a supervisory capacity in the branches.

Qualifications: A degree in librarianship from an accredited Library School and preferably some professional library experience.

Printable flyer: an opportunity to work as a Librarian

If you're interested in finding out more about being a Librarian, please check out the
School of Library, Archival and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia