Circulation Desk Assistant (Part-time)
Mount Prospect Public Library
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Mount Prospect Public Library in Mount Prospect, IL seeks a part-time Desk Assistant to join the Circulation team and deliver excellent customer service at the checkout desk. You will handle materials, assist library users, and support workroom tasks to keep items moving and accessible for patrons.
The role emphasizes public service, accuracy, and teamwork, with a schedule that supports a varied weekly layout.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; public setting experience is desirable.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in routine clerical tasks.
- Good communication with staff and library users; friendly, helpful demeanor.
- Ability to handle monetary transactions and operate a cash register.
- Comfort with library policies and using the ILS system.
Responsibilities
- Staff the public desk and assist patrons with circulation functions.
- Check in, sort, and reshelve materials and manage routine materials handling.
- Monitor patron behavior and provide customer-focused service at the desk.
- Assist with training staff and participate in special tasks as assigned.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job Location: MPPL - Mount Prospect, IL 60056Do you enjoy a job that has a mix of public interaction and task-oriented work? We are hiring a part-time Desk Assistant with excellent customer service skills and a keen eye for detail to join our Circulation team. In this role, you will assist library users at our checkout desk and handle various workroom activities, such as checking in, sorting, and shelving material – ensuring material is moved smoothly throughout the library and readily available for our patrons to enjoy.
SCHEDULE: 25.5 hours per week on average -
- Monday & Tuesday 2pm to 9pm
- Friday 11am to 7pm
- Every other weekend, Saturday 9am to 5pm & Sunday 11am to 5pm
$16.96 per hour
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, holiday, and birthday)
- Dental, life, and pet insurance
- Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) participation
- 457 retirement savings plan
Under the direct supervision of the designated supervisor (Circulation Department Head, Circulation Assistant Department Head, or Circulation Supervisor), the Circulation Desk Assistant is responsible for staffing the public desk, performing tasks related to the handling of library materials and other various clerical duties. This position is expected to handle all aspects of patron services related to the department within a team atmosphere.
This position comprises of the following essential duties:
- Materials Handling (approx. 50%)
- Public Service (approx. 35%)
Other non-essential job duties may include special projects and other departmental tasks.
- Checks in, sorts, arranges, print and non-print materials to make ready for reshelving, including loading and arranging carts
- Inspects and cleans materials
- Shelves books and other materials in appropriate places
- Maintains shelves by straightening, shifting and organizing materials as assigned
- Reads shelves to ensure correct order of materials
- Retrieves materials used by patrons in the Library and keeps a tally of total materials picked up, sorted, & re-shelved
- Checks in in-house materials in ILS as assigned
- Prepares reports and compiles statistics as assigned
- Contacts patrons regarding lost, damaged, and overdue materials as needed
- Runs reports and participates in specialized tasks as assigned
- Applies MPPL-values-based customer service
- Assists patrons at the public desk, on the telephone, and via e-mail with account inquiries.
- Monitors the behavior and conduct of Library patrons to ensure an atmosphere conducive to the use of the department and library resources for all patrons
- Assists patrons at public service desk with all circulation functions
- Answers patron questions on circulation related problems
- Registers patrons for new library cards; updates library card records as needed
- Adds reciprocal patron library cards to the database
- Collects money for fees and issues refunds as required
- Assists with training staff when assigned
- Participates in special projects when assigned
- Attends appropriate meetings, workshops, and seminars
- Serves on committees as assigned
- Other duties as assigned
High school diploma (or equivalent work experience) required. Experience working in a public setting is desirable.
- Knowledge of library policies and procedures
- Knowledge in the use of the Integrated Library System
- Ability to access, input and retrieve data from the computer
- Ability to alphabetize correctly and to understand numerical arrangement utilizing the decimal point
- Ability to operate a two-way radio and telephone
- Ability to read library material spines and labels
- Ability to handle cash transactions and/or operate a cash register
- Attention to Detail. Able to follow detailed procedures and ensure accuracy in documentation and data; concentrate on routine work details and organize and maintain a system of records.
- Communication. Able to clearly present information through the spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; talk with customers or clients; listen well.
- Customer Focus. Able to demonstrate a high level of service delivery; do what is necessary to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction; deal with service failures and prioritize customer needs.
- Decision Making & Problem Solving. Able to take action in solving problems while exhibiting judgment and a realistic understanding of issues; able to use reason, even when dealing with emotional topics; review facts and weigh options.
- Flexibility. Able to remain open-minded and change opinions on the basis of new information; perform a wide variety of tasks and change focus quickly as demands change; manage transitions effectively from task to task; adapt to varying customer needs.
- Policies, Process, & Procedures. Able to act in accordance with established guidelines; follow standard procedures in crisis situations; communicate and enforce organizational policies and procedures; recognize and constructively conform to unwritten rules or practices.
- Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Able to adapt behavior to others' styles; interact effectively with people who have different values, cultures, or backgrounds; optimize the benefits of having a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce.
- Teamwork. Able to share due credit with coworkers; display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment; work closely with other departments as necessary; support group decisions and solicit opinions from coworkers; display team spirit.
- Tolerance of Ambiguity. Able to withhold actions or speech in the absence of information; deal with unresolved situations, frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Work is performed in a typical library environment
Work is performed while:
- carrying library materials weighing up to 20 lbs.,
- moving heavy book carts loaded with materials and/or while
- standing for varied lengths of time (from 2 - 6 hours)
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