Library Assistant

State of Montana • Billings, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Library Assistant is responsible for supporting the Montana State Prison by delivering essential library services within a secure‑care environment, overseeing inmates and ensuring smooth daily operations across the main library and multiple satellite locations. This role keeps the library running efficiently by maintaining circulation and inventory records, updating patron accounts, cataloging and processing materials, shelving resources, and helping individuals find and use both print and digital tools. The Library Assistant also manages interlibrary loan requests, conducts reference searches, and assists with a variety of day‑to‑day tasks such as copying and equipment upkeep, all contributing to an organized, engaging, and educational library space that supports structure, learning, and personal growth within the facility. This role also supports the Religious Activities Program at Montana Women’s Prison, working with the RAC Coordinator to facilitate diverse religious programs, coordinate volunteers, schedule pastoral care, prepare for services, maintain records, and manage activity schedules. The position contributes to fulfilling the RAC mission of protecting constitutional rights, meeting institutional goals, and supporting genuine spiritual development.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Ability to work in a secure-care environment
• Ability to oversee inmates
• Ability to maintain circulation and inventory records
• Ability to update patron accounts
• Ability to catalog and process materials
• Ability to shelve resources
• Ability to assist individuals in finding and using print and digital tools
• Ability to manage interlibrary loan requests
• Ability to conduct reference searches
• Ability to assist with copying and equipment upkeep
• Ability to facilitate religious programs
• Ability to coordinate volunteers
• Ability to schedule pastoral care
• Ability to prepare for services
• Ability to maintain records
• Ability to manage activity schedules
• Successful applicants will be subject to Criminal history check
• Successful applicants will be subject to Child/patient/offender abuse registries check
• Successful applicants will be subject to Reference checks
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and will be verified by E-Verify

Nice To Haves

• Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Responsibilities

• Delivering essential library services within a secure‑care environment
• Overseeing inmates and ensuring smooth daily operations across the main library and multiple satellite locations
• Maintaining circulation and inventory records
• Updating patron accounts
• Cataloging and processing materials
• Shelving resources
• Helping individuals find and use both print and digital tools
• Managing interlibrary loan requests
• Conducting reference searches
• Assisting with copying and equipment upkeep
• Facilitating diverse religious programs
• Coordinating volunteers for the Religious Activities Program
• Scheduling pastoral care
• Preparing for services
• Maintaining records for the Religious Activities Program
• Managing activity schedules for the Religious Activities Program

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Generous State of Montana Benefits
• May qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED