Library Officer, Public Libraries

About the role

The National Library Board (NLB) works to build lifelong readers, communities that keep learning, and a nation that values knowledge by supporting reading, education, and heritage across its network of 28 libraries in Singapore, as well as the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.

This position offers the chance to work in an environment that is flexible and collaborative, with meaningful work that contributes to the community. NLB also emphasizes staff development, wellbeing, and an atmosphere that supports ideas, innovation, and positive impact.

What NLB offers

• The opportunity to make a community impact by helping more people access learning and discovery.
• A space to contribute ideas, explore new approaches, and support innovation in libraries and archives.
• A supportive workplace that invests in employee growth and wellbeing.

Job responsibilities

• Support library users by explaining etiquette, introducing collections, and highlighting available services.
• Recommend both physical and digital resources, and connect patrons with the library through activities such as book displays, storytelling sessions, guided tours, exhibitions, and outreach roadshows.
• Deliver strong customer service by handling email enquiries, processing membership registrations, and following up on service-related cases.
• Coordinate and supervise outsourced staff and volunteers so that service quality remains consistent, including training vendor staff on patron enquiries, customer service, collection maintenance standards, and user guidance on facilities and services.
• Carry out processing work for library items that supports collection development and upkeep.
• Help ensure that library facilities remain in good condition and continue to meet operational needs and visitor expectations.
• Provide operational support such as preparing reports and statistics, assisting with crisis response, handling financial matters, managing incidents, and supporting systems and administrative tasks.
• Respond to customer questions, issues, and feedback in line with service standards and established procedures.

Requirements

• Strong customer service and patron engagement ability.
• Good verbal and written communication, along with solid interpersonal skills.
• Capability to guide and supervise staff while maintaining quality standards.
• Comfort with change and the ability to adapt quickly as new services are developed.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-moving and changing environment while balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to perform mobile frontline duties, such as roving support across library branches.
• Ability to provide logistics support for library events and related activities.
• Readiness to work shifts, weekends, and occasionally public holidays.
• Candidates are encouraged to share additional strengths such as data analytics, design, or other useful capabilities.

Additional information

The selected candidate will be placed at one of the public libraries in Singapore.

Successful applicants will be offered a two-year contract initially.