Library Assistant

Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. is seeking a Library Assistant to provide reference and circulation services under the Library Manager, participate in collection development, and help plan and present programs.

Weekend availability and flexible scheduling are required. Responsibilities include assisting patrons, managing circulation, supporting digital services, processing payments, shelving materials, and helping with public programming.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent education preferred; experience can substitute.
• Minimum two years of library experience is preferred.
• Minimum two years of customer service experience required.
• Experience with library circulation software preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide reference and circulation services to patrons.
• Handle patron requests and phone calls at the circulation desk.
• Assist patrons with library digital services and technology support.
• Process fines, fees and payments; manage patron accounts.
• Shelve materials and assist with shelving accuracy.
• Circulate materials using library software and maintain records.
• Assist with planning, presenting, and evaluating public programs.
• Create displays to encourage patron browsing.
• Recommend books for purchase based on patron requests and trends.
• Assist with acquisitions and minor repairs as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Patron support

Communication skills

Reference service

Technology support

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Library experience preferred

Tools

Library circulation software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

Under the supervision of the Library Manager, the Library Assistant provides reference and circulation services, participates in collection development, and creates and presents programs.

Weekend availability and ability to work a flexible schedule is required.

Requirements

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Patron Service
• Handles patron requests and phone calls at the circulation desk
• Provides basic reference services and technology support for patrons, and refers more complex requests to the Library Manager
• Assists patrons with library digital services
• Handles payments for library fines, fees and services
• Circulation
• Registers patrons for new library accounts and maintains patron records
• Shelves library materials
• Circulates materials using the library’s software
• Programming
• Assists with planning, presenting, and evaluating public programs that explain the use of library resources
• Creates displays of library materials to encourage patron browsing
• Collection Department
• Recommends books for purchase based on patron requests and an awareness of current or popular topics of interest that align with the Library’s collection
• Processes new acquisitions
• Performs minor repair to library items and recommends items for replacement
• Other relevant duties as assigned

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in relevant discipline preferred or equivalent education and/or work experience; relevant and equivalent work experience includes volunteer work, internships, freelance work, and transferable skills
• Minimum two years’ of library experience preferred
• Minimum two years’ of customer service required
• Experience with library circulation software preferred, not required
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and standard office equipment required

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• The Library Assistant will interact with library patrons with a welcoming presence and a spirit of helpfulness
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication with both staff and the public is essential
• An independently, with variety, and with attention to detail will drive. success in this role ability to work

Scope and Impact of the Position:

• This position supports the A.R.E. Library as the destination on campus for the study of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness concepts found in the Edgar Cayce material and wisdom traditions from around the world.

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to move between buildings on uneven ground and to use staircases in historical buildings without elevators
• Ability to life and carry 25 lbs. of materials/supplies and transport over uneven ground on a regular basis
• Requires periods of sitting and using a computer keyboard, looking at a computer screen.

Equal employment opportunity for all is an essential philosophy at the A.R.E. and throughout the organization, including Atlantic University, Edgar Cayce Foundation, Cayce/Reilly School of Massage, and the A.R.E. Health Center and Spa. We will evaluate all applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, color, veteran status, non-disqualifying disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At A.R.E., we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job. This job description outlines the typical functions of the position, and employees with disabilities can perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. We will provide accommodations unless doing so would cause an undue hardship for the employer. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of disability. It is the responsibility of the employee to notify their supervisor or Human Resources of the need for an accommodation.