Bookseller - Temporary (Joseph Beth)

Joseph Beth Booksellers Job Opportunity

Founded in Lexington in November 1986, Joseph Beth Booksellers functions as a general-interest bookstore hosting public events, Storytimes, author signings, and community programs. Joseph-Beth Booksellers is a community bookstore and restaurant organization featuring two store locations in Cincinnati, Ohio (Rookwood Pavilion) and Lexington, Kentucky (The Mall at Lexington Green). In October 2026, Barnes & Noble acquired Joseph-Beth Booksellers' two remaining storefronts and bistros. Joseph-Beth Booksellers will continue to preserve its independent identity, which has made it so special within the bookselling landscape for the last 40 years. Come be part of our team and help us shape what's next!

As a Bookseller, you are an integral member of the bookselling team at the heart of our stores. You welcome customers in a cheerful and helpful way by saying hello, answering questions, and consistently going out of your way to connect readers with the right titles and products. Equally, you are an essential part of the bookstore team in maintaining the attractive presentation of the store and in ensuring its efficient running. You help unpack and shelve deliveries and tidy our displays. You work our registers in a quick and friendly manner, ensuring our customers receive a highly professional service.

You'll make a great Bookseller if you have what we term to be good "behaviors." Expect your colleagues to demonstrate these behaviors and to hold you, and themselves, to high standards, and for your Store Managers to reinforce our expectations. These behaviors collectively demonstrate that you:

• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
• Fill scheduling gaps when you are able, being flexible and responsive to the needs of the store we are open from early mornings to late evenings every day, including weekends and most holidays.
• Are positive and willing in your approach to work, performing assigned tasks with purpose and energy, working hard and reliably.
• Are supportive and considerate of colleagues, going out of your way to help others on the team and showing them kindness.
• Are always cheerful with customers, consistently going out of your way to help them.
• Show aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge in the store.
• Above all, show that you enjoy being a bookseller!

As you gain experience, you should expect your bookselling knowledge and skills to develop. Each Joseph Beth bookstore is the product of its bookselling team. You will increasingly contribute as you develop your expertise. You will:

• Build book knowledge of the subjects and categories we stock across fiction, nonfiction and children's books.
• Use this knowledge to maintain the sections and present books in an interesting and attractive manner.
• Make effective book recommendations to customers throughout varied sections.
• Learn how to sell books in a positive way appreciated by customers, supporting the success of key sales objectives and sharing this knowledge with customers and colleagues.
• Build knowledge and expertise and learn new areas throughout the store.
• Use this knowledge to maintain all sections and backstock effectively, and to help customers with their shopping.
• Equally, use this knowledge to support the success of key sales objectives, products and new releases.
• As already said, above all we expect you to enjoy being a bookseller at Joseph Beth.

As you develop and demonstrate mastery of the skills outlined in this role, you are expected to advance to the next step in the career path where you will take on new challenges and gain further opportunities for growth. You will, of course, comply with all company policies and procedures.