Library Assistant

City of Mesa; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Mesa's Red Mountain Library Branch is seeking two part-time Library Assistants to support a range of clerical and paraprofessional tasks. The role includes assisting patrons, performing bibliographic searches, cataloging, and handling circulation in a public library setting.

Strong customer service skills and knowledge of library resources are essential. Some night and weekend shifts may be required; work is performed per established policies and independent judgment is used.

Qualifications

• Two years of college-level coursework in Liberal Arts, Library Science, or related field.
• Some public contact experience in a library or closely related environment (6 months–1 year).

Responsibilities

• Retrieves information from computer and print resources to help library users find books or information.
• Assists and trains library users in using computer and print resources.
• Answers questions and provides service for routine reference questions; refers complex questions to the appropriate Librarian.
• Assists users in using specialized equipment.
• Explains or interprets library policy.
• Checks library materials in and out, receives monies, and maintains deposit and patron accounts.
• Receives, processes, and makes library materials available to the public.
• Promotes the use of library materials using marketing techniques.
• Coordinates the library’s interlibrary loan activities, including monitoring overdue books, requesting payment for lost/damaged materials, and communicating with patrons.

Skills

Customer service

Bibliographic searching

Cataloging

Circulation

Reference sources

Education

Two years of college-level coursework in Liberal Arts, Library Science, or related field

Job description

The current recruitment will be used to fill (2) part-time vacancies at the Red Mountain Library Branch. An eligible list will also be established to fill future full-time and part-time vacancies in other library branch locations.

Part‑time classifications are designated as non‑classified, non‑merit system, at‑will positions.

A Library Assistant performs a variety of specialized, skilled, clerical, and/or paraprofessional library activities. The work requires customer service skills and the application of library science knowledge and techniques, including: bibliographic search procedures, cataloging, circulation, and the use of a variety of reference sources and materials.

A Library Assistant performs duties and responsibilities which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

• Retrieves information from computer and print resources in order to help library users find books or information;
• Assists and trains library users in the use of the computer and print resources;
• Answers questions and provides service for routine reference questions and refers complex reference questions to the appropriate Librarian;
• Assists users in the use of specialized equipment;
• Explains or interprets library policy;
• Checks library materials in and out, receives monies, and maintains accurate deposit and patron account information;
• Receives, processes, and makes library materials available to the public;
• Promotes the use of library materials using marketing techniques;
• Coordinates the library’s interlibrary loan activities, including: monitoring overdue books, requesting payment for lost, overdue, and damaged materials; and communicating with the patron to ensure payment and/or return.

This class performs related duties as required.

Assignments are performed according to established policies and procedures, but work is done independently and requires judgment in the disposition of routine matters. Depending on assignment, supervision may be received from a Branch Operations Supervisor, Supervising Library Assistant, or supervisor designee, who reviews work through conferences and results achieved. Some assignments require night and weekend work. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required.

Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to two years of college‑level coursework preferably in Liberal Arts, Library Science, or a related field. Some (6 months – 1 year) public contact experience in a library or closely related environment.

Special Requirements.

Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire or promotion date (by assignment). Must obtain certification to drive a commercial motor vehicle through the City of Mesa CMV Safety Program (by assignment).

Preferred/Desirable Qualification.

Possession of a Library Technician Certificate.