Library Assistant I-III

Sitka, City and Borough of (AK); Sitka (AK); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Sitka Public Library is seeking a Library Assistant to help patrons in person, by phone or online, and to perform basic library support tasks including cash handling, data entry, and processing of materials. Under supervision, you will work independently on assigned duties and ensure a safe library environment.

The role typically involves opening/closing duties, assisting with reference questions, catalog searches, and maintaining orderly stacks while adhering to library policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; and
• Some work experience which includes contact with the public; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Responsibilities

• Serves as the initial contact for all patrons
• Prepares Library for opening and closing and maintains building security
• Performs circulation desk duties to assist patrons with their requests and directing patrons to the location of books and other library materials
• Provides reference services to patrons on a wide variety of subjects and educational levels
• Arranges and maintain library materials to ensure proper order on shelves
• Responds to questions and inform the public about library policies and procedures
• Resolved or refer patron problems and complaints
• Searches the library catalog and collections for holdings
• Performs basic maintenance to library materials and identifies materials in need of repair
• Performs basic maintenance repairs to library materials
• Performs routine technical processing and collection management tasks as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

Customer service

Computer literacy

Multi-tasking

Communication (verbal/written)

Cash handling

Organizing

Attention to detail

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Some college credits (II)

Associate’s degree (III) preferred

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Integrated Library System

Job description

Primary Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of this position is to (1) assist the pubic, staff, and volunteers in the use of library facilities, equipment, computers, programs, services, collections, online catalog, and other resources over the phone, on-line, and in person and to (2) perform the full range of basic library support tasks such as collecting cash, data entry, maintaining statistics, receiving and processing library materials, recordkeeping while maintaining a safe and secure environment through monitoring of the patron’s adherence to library policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Under the direct supervision of the Library Director, the employee works independently on assigned duties and responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

All levels of Library Assistants perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Serves as the initial contact for all patrons
• Prepares Library for opening and closing and maintains building security
• Performs circulation desk duties to assist patrons with their requests and directing patrons to the location of books and other library materials
• Provides reference services to patrons on a wide variety of subjects and educational levels
• Arranges and maintain library materials to ensure proper order on shelves
• Responds to questions and inform the public about library policies and procedures
• Resolved or refer patron problems and complaints
• Searches the library catalog and collections for holdings
• Performs basic maintenance to library materials and identifies materials in need of repair
• Performs basic maintenance repairs to library materials
• Performs routine technical processing and collection management tasks as assigned
• Performs other duties as assignedKnowledge of: Differs depending on level of Library Assistant

Library Assistant I

• General knowledge about books, reading, and use of libraries, obtained at the high school level
• English language alphabet and numbers in order to learn and use the Dewey Decimal system and other basic alpha-numeric systems

Library Assistant II and III

• English language alphabet and numbers to organize materials using the Dewey Decimal system and other basic alpha-numeric systems
• Standard library practices and procedures, including searching techniques.
• Equipment used in library operations, including office equipment, electronic resources, media formats
• Integrated Library System and Internet services

Skills In

• Operating a personal computer using standard software applications appropriate to assigned tasks, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint and other customized library-related software
• Providing strong customer service to a diverse group of people with varying cultures and backgrounds
• Dealing with a wide range of persons, including situations in which individuals may be upset over some issue where they are upset or disagree with a decision
• General mathematics, including the handling of cash
• Multi-tasking but still able to focus on details
• Organizing and prioritizing tasks
• Writing correspondence, professional emails, and reports of a professional nature

Ability to

• Provide communicate information and interact effectively to co-workers and the public to maintain library policies and public safety
• Empathize and manage sensitive or contentious issues with patrons professionally
• Recognize and maintain confidential information
• Maintain professional and effective relationships with co-workers and in the community
• Work as a team with results-driven approach
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under pressure of time sensitive deadlines and changing priorities
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge

Minimum Qualifications

Library Assistant I

• High School Diploma or GED; and
• Some work experience which includes contact with the public; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Library Assistant II

• High School Diploma or GED; some college credits, preferred; and
• Two years of experience working as Library Assistant I; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Library Assistant III

• High School Diploma or GED; Associate’s Degree, preferred; and
• Two years of experience working as a Library Assistant II; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Movement to the next level may occur once an employee has the required years of experience at the Sitka Public Library so long as the employee has had an overall performance rating of satisfactory or better for the prior two-year period as determined by the Library Director.

Other Job Requirements or Expectations

• Requires working some split shifts and on evenings, weekends, and holidays

Working Conditions

• Indoors, in a library

Specific Physical Requirements

• Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, and stretching when performing work such as rearranging furniture or putting away library books and other materials
• Lifting boxes weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance of proper equipment or the help from another
• Pushing fully loaded book trucks which weigh up to 50 pounds but can weigh more
• Standing or sitting at a workstation majority of shift

General Physical Requirements

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate effectively
• Sufficient vision and powers of observation which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written documents, fulfill patron requests, and related material in both electronic and hardcopy form and to ensure the safety and security of the library and its patrons
• Sufficient manual dexterity and strength which permits the employee to operate a keyboard and produce hand-written materials and notations and move books, materials, and other library equipment
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to perform the duties associated with retrieving and reshelving library books and materials