SERVICE UPDATE: Starting on Monday, May 25, for approximately 2-3 weeks, we’ll be making significant updates to spaces in our Eastside Branch. During that time certain services will be unavailable and there may be an increase in noise. For a full list of impacted services, click here.

Job Opportunities

Discover rewarding opportunities to contribute your skills, passion, and innovation in a dynamic library environment dedicated to fostering knowledge and enriching lives.

View Job Opportunities

Staff person peering through a shelf of books
A staff person stands in the Gamerspace at the Eastside Branch smiling at the camera

Why Work at WPL?

Embark on a rewarding journey with these compelling benefits – discover why working at WPL goes beyond a job, offering a fulfilling experience that positively impacts both you and the community we serve.

  • Collaborative and supportive teams
  • OMERS pension with employer contributions
  • Support for professional development
  • Your birthday off with pay
  • Casual dress code

Our Vision,
Mission & Values

Our Vision

We envision a thriving community that is multi-literate, engaged and welcoming to all.

Our Mission

We provide equitable access to lifelong learning and contribute to the wellbeing of all.

Our Values

  • Trust
    We are a trusted community resource for diverse information and perspectives where the needs and privacy of all are respected.
  • Equity
    We prioritize equity, access and inclusion in everything we do.
  • Joy of Discovery
    We spark and sustain a culture of creativity, innovation and self­-expression.
  • Future Readiness
    We support our community to address today's needs and tomorrow's potential.
  • Compassion
    We embrace the humanity in everyone and treat all with respect.
Shelver putting books through the sorter at the John M. Harper Branch
View Our Strategic Plan
Close up of the mural at the John M. Harper Branch

Statement on Race and Social Equity

As leaders of North America’s public libraries, we are committed to achieving racial and social equity by contributing to a more just society in which all community members can realize their full potential. Our libraries can help achieve true and sustained equity through an intentional, systemic and transformative library-community partnership. Our library systems are working to achieve equity in the communities we serve by:

  1. Eliminating racial and social equity barriers in library programs, services, policies and practices
  2. Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion and respect both in our library systems and in all aspects of our community role
  3. Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in the community and helping them express their voice
  4. Serving as a convener and facilitator of conversations and partnerships to address community challenges
  5. Being forthright on tough issues that are important to our communities

Libraries are trusted, venerable and enduring institutions, central to their communities and an essential participant in the movement for racial and social equity.

Originally endorsed by the Canadian Urban Libraries Council
Download the Statement in English & French

Job Postings

  • Shelver (2 positions)

    Shelver (2 positions)

    Main Library & Eastside Branch / Part-Time Permanent / 12 hours per week

    We’re looking for individuals with a strong eye for detail who take pride in accuracy, organization, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. At WPL, Shelvers play an important role in the daily flow of our library system. Their care in placing materials correctly, keeping shelves neat and accessible, and maintaining an organized environment helps ensure the library runs efficiently. Shelvers are also approachable and helpful when customers have basic questions or need to be directed to the right staff member. Sound Interesting?

    What You’ll Do:

    • Remove items from returns areas, check in materials and sort accordingly. Use automated sorter to check in and sort materials (Eastside Branch position).
    • Shelve library materials in alphabetical order and using the Dewey Decimal system.
    • Shelf read for accuracy and maintaining a tidy library space.
    • Assist customers by responding to basic questions and referring them to appropriate staff.

    What We’re Looking For:

    • Highly detail-oriented individuals with a flair for neatness and organization.
    • Warm and friendly personality with the customer always in mind.
    • Responsible and dependable individuals that can work with minimal supervision.
    • Enjoys a job with both physical and mental demands.

    Schedule:

    The regular schedule for the positions are as follows:

    Main Library Shelver: Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursdays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., alternating Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., alternating Saturdays 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

    Eastside Branch Shelver: Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Thursdays 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Fridays 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

    Schedules are subject to change. Flexibility to pick up additional shifts is required as well as the ability to work at any library location.

    Salary/Wage/Benefits:

    The starting wage is $17.60 per hour (level B).

    Optional OMERS pension provided. WPL offers a casual work environment, support for professional development and your birthday off with pay!

    How to Apply:

    To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by June 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at jobs@wpl.ca.

Waterloo Public Library welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds including Indigenous persons, Black persons, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons and others that will contribute to the broadening of our ideas and experiences.

Waterloo Public Library accommodates individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), within our recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process please contact Human Resources by phone 519-886-1310, TTY 1-866-786-3941, or email jobs@wpl.ca.