17 Circulation Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

A circulation assistant is responsible for the circulation of materials within a library. This includes processing and shelving materials, preparing items for circulation, and checking materials in and out of the library.

To be successful in this position, you need to have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently. You should also be familiar with the Dewey Decimal System and other classification systems.

If you’re looking for a position as a circulation assistant, it’s important to be prepared for the interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some common questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare.

Are you comfortable working with a variety of materials, including books, magazines, newspapers, videos and audio recordings?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your comfort level with handling different materials and determine whether you have experience working with a variety of items. Your answer should show that you are comfortable working with a variety of materials, but also highlight any specific skills or training you have for working with these materials.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with a variety of materials because I’ve done it in my previous position as circulation assistant. In fact, I find it quite enjoyable to work with all kinds of materials, including books, magazines, newspapers, videos and audio recordings. I enjoy learning about new publications and formats, so I’m always excited when we get new materials in the library.”

What are some of the most important skills you have that make you a good circulation assistant?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities necessary for this role. You can answer this question by listing some of your most important skills, such as:

Organization Attention to detail Customer service skills Problem-solving skills Example: “I think my ability to multitask is one of my greatest strengths. I am also very organized, which helps me stay on top of things at work. My customer service skills are another strength of mine because I enjoy helping people find what they’re looking for in our library’s resources. Finally, I love solving problems and figuring out solutions, so I feel like my problem-solving skills make me a good candidate for this position.”

How would you handle a situation where a patron is unhappy with the condition of a book they checked out?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know that you can empathize with patrons and help them feel satisfied even if they’re unhappy about a situation. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you understand how important it is for libraries to maintain good relationships with their patrons.

Example: “I would first apologize to the patron for the condition of the book. Then I would offer to replace the book or give them a discount on another book. If the patron was still upset, I would find out what else we could do to make them happy. For example, maybe they wanted to see more care taken when checking books in the future.”

What is your experience with using library management software?

This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with using technology in a library setting. If you have experience using specific software, share what you like about it and how it helps you do your job more efficiently.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of library management software throughout my career, but I find that Evergreen is one of the most user-friendly systems I’ve ever encountered. It’s easy to navigate and has all the features I need to perform circulation duties effectively. The system also allows me to use mobile devices to check out materials, which saves time when helping patrons.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a patron find the information they were looking for.

Interviewers ask this question to see if you have a passion for helping patrons and assisting them with their research. They want to know that you are willing to go the extra mile to help others, even when it’s not part of your job description.

Example: “When I was working at my previous library, there was a patron who came in looking for information on how to build a birdhouse. He had no idea where to start his search, so I helped him narrow down his search by asking questions about what kind of birds he wanted to attract. After we narrowed down his search, I showed him several books that would give him detailed instructions on building a birdhouse.”

If a patron approaches you asking for a specific book, movie or video game, but you know it’s currently checked out, what would you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills. You can demonstrate that you are willing to help patrons find similar materials or offer a refund if the patron has already paid for it.

Example: “If I know the item is checked out, I would try my best to locate another copy of the book, movie or video game. If I cannot locate one, I will let them know that we have several other books, movies and games with similar themes. If they’re not interested in any of those options, I will give them their money back and apologize for any inconvenience.”

What would you do if you noticed a book, DVD or video game was damaged when you received it back from a patron?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer service issues. Showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate with customers by describing a time when you helped resolve a similar situation.

Example: “If I noticed that a book, DVD or video game was damaged when I returned it to a patron, I would first apologize for the inconvenience. Then, I would offer them an alternative copy of the item if we had one in our system. If not, I would let them know they could exchange the damaged item for another title at no charge. Finally, I would thank them for their patience and understanding.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Circulation assistants often work in high-pressure situations, such as when a library is busy and patrons are waiting to check out books. Employers ask this question to make sure you can perform well under pressure. In your answer, explain that you thrive in these types of environments. Explain how you use your time management skills to keep track of the many tasks you have to complete.

Example: “I am very good at managing my time while working under pressure. When I worked as a cashier at a grocery store, we were always busy during rush hour. I learned how to prioritize my tasks so I could help customers quickly. This helped me learn how to manage multiple tasks at once. Now, I know how to handle any situation where there is a lot of pressure.”

Do you have experience working in a team environment?

Working in a library requires teamwork. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working with others and how well you can collaborate. Show them that you are willing to work as part of a team by explaining your past experiences. Explain what made the teams successful, such as good communication or collaboration skills.

Example: “I’ve worked in a library for five years now, so I am used to working alongside other circulation assistants. In my current position, we have a small team of three people who all do different tasks. We communicate well with each other and help one another when needed. For example, if someone is on break, we cover for them. This helps us get our work done more efficiently.”

When performing basic maintenance tasks on materials, what is the process you use?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of circulation procedures. Use examples from previous experience in which you followed the library’s or organization’s policies and procedures for performing tasks such as checking materials in and out, stamping books and other similar processes.

Example: “I always follow my organization’s policies and procedures when performing maintenance on materials. For example, at my last job, I had to check materials back in after patrons returned them. To do so, I would first scan the item using an RFID scanner to ensure it was not damaged. Then, I would enter the information into our database system. Finally, I would place the book in its proper location.”

We want to increase our digital collection. How would you go about finding and adding digital materials to the library?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of digital resources and how you can help a library expand its collection. When answering this question, make sure to highlight the steps you would take to find new materials and integrate them into the library’s catalog.

Example: “I have experience finding and adding digital materials to our current system. I first start by searching for databases that are relevant to our patrons’ interests. Then, I search through each database for articles or books that we don’t already have in our collection. After finding these materials, I add them to our online catalog so they’re available to our patrons.”

Describe your experience with using library catalogs.

This question can help interviewers assess your experience with using library catalogs and how you use them. Use examples from previous work to describe what you’ve done in the past, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example: “In my last position as a circulation assistant, I used the library’s online catalog to find books for patrons who requested them. The system was easy to navigate, but sometimes it would take me longer than expected to find the book because of its size. To solve this problem, I learned how to search by author or title to make finding books easier.”

What makes you a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the job. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are qualified for this position. Focus on skills that relate to circulation assistant duties.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people find books and other materials they need. I also enjoy working with technology, so I would be excited to use our library’s digital cataloging system. I have experience using similar systems in my previous jobs, so I know I can quickly learn any new features or updates to the current system. I am also very organized, which is important when filing items.”

Which circulation assistant job have you had that you liked the most?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience and how you feel about it. You can use this question to talk about a specific job that you enjoyed or one that helped you develop skills that you still use today.

Example: “I really enjoyed working as a circulation assistant at my local library because I got to meet so many people from all walks of life. It was interesting to see what books different patrons were checking out, and I loved helping them find exactly what they were looking for. Another thing I liked about that job was that I learned a lot about computers and databases while working there.”

What do you think is the most important trait for a circulation assistant to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Your answer should highlight your interpersonal, organizational or technical skills that make you a strong candidate for this position.

Example: “I think the most important trait for a circulation assistant is patience. Patience helps me remain calm when I’m helping patrons find books or other materials. It also allows me to work with my coworkers to solve problems and complete tasks efficiently. In my last library job, I helped a patron who was looking for a book on bats. After searching through our database, we couldn’t locate it. I used my patience to search through our physical collection of books until I found the book the patron needed.”

How often do you perform basic maintenance tasks on materials?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your experience with circulation tasks. They want to know if you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform basic maintenance on materials, such as checking in books or replacing damaged items. In your answer, explain what types of maintenance you’ve done in the past and how often you performed these tasks.

Example: “In my previous role, I checked in all returned materials and replaced any missing ones. I also repaired damaged items when needed. I typically completed these tasks once a week for each branch library. I would check in materials from the book drop and then replace any damaged items that patrons had left behind.”

There is a large backlog of materials that need to be reshelved. How would you approach this task?

This question can help the interviewer assess your organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks. Your answer should demonstrate that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to work quickly while maintaining accuracy.

Example: “I would first create a list of all materials that need to be reshelved by location. Then I would organize them into groups based on how many shelves they need to be placed in. For example, if there were five books that needed to go on the top shelf, middle shelf and bottom shelf, I would place those together in one group. Next, I would sort these groups by aisle or section so that I could shelve everything as efficiently as possible.”