Library Assistant II

City of Las Cruces; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Las Cruces is seeking an experienced Library Assistant to provide administrative and technical support across circulation, media, acquisitions, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and reader’s advisory functions. You will assist patrons, shelve materials, apply labels, support reference and program activities, supervise student workers, and help maintain library operations with accuracy and courtesy.

This full‑time, non‑exempt position requires a high school diploma or GED plus two years of

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and two years experience as a Library Assistant.
• Associate’s degree in Library Science desirable.
• Combination of education, experience, and training may be applied per City policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service in a courteous and respectful manner to assist patrons with the use of library materials; provides customer service in borrowing and returning library materials; responds to inquiries, both in person and over the phone; assists customers in using computers and retrieving information; provides routine care and maintenance of library equipment; may respond to user complaints; resolve problems with patrons regarding lost, damaged, overdue books and fines.
• Receives, processes, and handles library books & materials for collection; shelves library materials within the appropriate area and empties book drops accurately and in a timely manner; applies barcodes, security strips, spine labels, genre labels, and bookplates; attaches book jackets and repairs items on an as‑needed basis; makes minor repairs to library materials; charges and discharges library materials at circulation points.
• Assists reference staff with collection development; weeds and curates materials, deletes records, and appropriately disposes of materials.
• Fills in at front desk and answers phones when needed; uses computer to place damaged items in repair bins.
• Monitors the usage of the computer lab; provides support, guidance, and answers questions regarding computers; resolves issues and handles challenging concerns or questions.
• May perform interlibrary loan functions; searches, identifies, and retrieves materials requested from other libraries and materials requested by other libraries; monitors copyright compliance; edits online database accurately to request materials; manages cooperative document delivery program and maintains transactional statistics.
• May provide clerical support for application database; prepares print and non‑print library materials for circulation in accordance with bibliographic format; inserts barcode, price, material type, status, special messages and notes; assigns classification numbers and subject headings to bibliographic records; prepares patron library card records and adjusts records as needed.
• May assist in the implementation of children and young adult library programs; promote and host programs. assists with preparation and implementation of library programs
• May perform materials verification work involved in the acquisition of library materials including submitting orders to vendors, resolving billing and delivery problems with vendors, canceling orders, preparing invoices for payment, and maintaining financial files and records; maintains supply inventory and accurately counts supplies; identifies when items are needed and drafts purchase orders.
• Counts materials that are received through various courier services; takes delivered packages to staff, constructs furniture, and performs other operational tasks.
• May oversee workflow of students and volunteers in the department; may assist with the training of other Assistants; may also serve as technical resource to other library assistants on library programs, policies and procedures.
• Performs monthly building walkthroughs to ensure all safety equipment is in place; addresses safety issues in building, prepares monthly reports, and attends meetings for safety issues and other concerns.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Data entry

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in Library Science desirable

Tools

Barcode reader

Label printer

Book trucks

Book knives

Security strips

Typewriter

Copier

Rubber stamps

Job description

Provide experienced administrative support and technical support in the provision of library materials and customer services at a variety of library service points in areas of circulation, media, acquisitions, cataloging, inter‑library loan, and reader’s advisory functions.

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in a standard library environment.

Physical Factors

Light physical demands; mostly desk work. Must be able to lift & carry up to 20 pounds of books and push a loaded book truck up and down ramps. Frequent use of a personal computer.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

This posting may also be used to fill vacancies in other areas of the Library, including Branch Services, which primarily serves seniors while also providing programs and services for individuals of all ages, and Youth Services, which focuses primarily on serving children and families.

This position is a Full-time, regular, non-exempt, position.

Position is graded an RN07.

• Provides excellent customer service in a courteous and respectful manner to assist patrons with the use of library materials; provides customer service in borrowing and returning library materials; responds to inquiries, both in person and over the phone; assists customers in using computers and retrieving information; provides routine care and maintenance of library equipment; may respond to user complaints; resolve problems with patrons regarding lost, damaged, overdue books and fines.
• Receives, processes, and handles library books & materials for collection; shelves library materials within the appropriate area and empties book drops accurately and in a timely manner; applies barcodes, security strips, spine labels, genre labels, and bookplates; attaches book jackets and repairs items on an as‑needed basis; makes minor repairs to library materials; charges and discharges library materials at circulation points.
• Assists reference staff with collection development; weeds and curates materials, deletes records, and appropriately disposes of materials.
• Fills in at front desk and answers phones when needed; uses computer to place damaged items in repair bins.
• Monitors the usage of the computer lab; provides support, guidance, and answers questions regarding computers; resolves issues and handles challenging concerns or questions.
• May perform interlibrary loan functions; searches, identifies, and retrieves materials requested from other libraries and materials requested by other libraries; monitors copyright compliance; edits online database accurately to request materials; manages cooperative document delivery program and maintains transactional statistics.
• May provide clerical support for application database; prepares print and non‑print library materials for circulation in accordance with bibliographic format; inserts barcode, price, material type, status, special messages and notes; assigns classification numbers and subject headings to bibliographic records; prepares patron library card records and adjusts records as needed.
• May assist in the implementation of children and young adult library programs; promote and host programs. assists with preparation and implementation of library programs
• May perform materials verification work involved in the acquisition of library materials including submitting orders to vendors, resolving billing and delivery problems with vendors, canceling orders, preparing invoices for payment, and maintaining financial files and records; maintains supply inventory and accurately counts supplies; identifies when items are needed and drafts purchase orders.
• Counts materials that are received through various courier services; takes delivered packages to staff, constructs furniture, and performs other operational tasks.
• May oversee workflow of students and volunteers in the department; may assist with the training of other Assistants; may also serve as technical resource to other library assistants on library programs, policies and procedures.
• Performs monthly building walkthroughs to ensure all safety equipment is in place; addresses safety issues in building, prepares monthly reports, and attends meetings for safety issues and other concerns.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the senior level in the Library Assistant job family and as such employees are expected to apply technical expertise and exercise initiative in performing of the full range of technical duties in support of library programs, activities, policies and procedures. Employees may be assigned to train other staff members on Library processes and procedures.

High school diploma or GED and two (2) years experience as a Library Assistant. Associate’s degree in Library Science is desirable. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid Class D driver’s license may be required or preferred. If applicable, position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies.

Knowledge of

Principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations governing the conduct and safety of library programs and facilities; the Dewey Decimal System of classification, MARC tagging, library cataloging conventions, and Library of Congress Subject Headings; current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to

Perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations governing related activities and functions; collect applicable information and maintain accurate and timely records; maintain confidentiality of information and data; communicate effectively orally and in writing and use interpersonal skills to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive work direction; prepare and present accurate and reliable information and reports; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; safely and effectively operate relevant tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; timely and accurately enter data and update records using various middleages; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and carry out primary responsibilities in accordance with all governing regulations, statutes, and procedures to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.

Skills in

Reading, understanding, and applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; effectively managing assignments; responding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authority; responding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing priorities; using barcode reader, typewriter, copier, label printer, materials cleaning machines, book knives, book trucks, metal security strips, and rubber stamps; maker, preparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.