Library Assistant II | West Side Branch

Our Community's Children; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading community organization is seeking a part-time Library Assistant II for the West Side Branch. This role involves providing reference information and assistance to patrons, managing public service interactions, and supporting library programs. Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma, customer service experience, and strong communication skills, with a preference for Spanish fluency.

Benefits

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Plan

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; college degree preferred.
• Previous customer service and public library experience preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides professional public service to library patrons in-person, over the phone, and via email.
• Assists with public workstation and printer use, and helps patrons with library resources.
• Manages challenging patron interactions through de-escalation.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

De-escalation

Research

Education

High school diploma or GED

College degree (preferred)

Job description

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Join to apply for the Library Assistant II | West Side Branch role at Our Community's Children

Nature of Work

This part-time position supports the West Side Branch by providing reference information, guidance, and assistance to GRPL patrons. The main function of this position is direct public service, and involves helping patrons access library resources in-person, over the phone, and via email.

This position is regularly scheduled to work at the West Side Branch with the following schedule:

Monday: Off

Tuesday: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

Wednesday: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

Thursday: 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Friday: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

Saturday: 2:00 - 6:00 pm

Occasionally required- Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Examples Of Work

• Provides engaging, professional public service to library patrons in-person, over the phone, and via email; assists with public workstation and printer use; assists patrons with periodical, book, and database searches and other reference sources; assists with reader's advisory; assists with interlibrary loan; assists with books by mail service
• Effectively manages challenging patron interactions through de-escalation
• Provides instruction and/or presents to patrons in groups or individually; assists with planning and implementation of programs and services
• Assists staff with research, reporting, projects, and idea generation; may proofread and edit reports or other library materials
• Creates and maintains book displays
• Represents GRPL at community events and outreach opportunities
• Develops bibliographies, pathfinders, and finding aids in support of Readers' Advisory and reference services
• Collects, compiles, and reports statistics related to library resources and programs
• Maintains records, correspondence, inventories, and other general office functions
• Recommends and evaluates reference books; maintains inventories
• Performs other tasks of a similar nature as assigned
  
  

Minimum Training And Experience

• High school diploma or a GED is required; a college degree is preferred
• Previous customer service experience is preferred
• Previous public library experience is preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish is preferred
  
  

Other Necessary Qualifications

Ability to:

• Provide professional, friendly service to library staff and patrons; ability to make independent, reliable decisions related to customer service functions
• Demonstrate strong de-escalation skills to effectively manage challenging patron interactions
• Assist and instruct patrons around hardware and software issues as they relate to library resources and public workstations
• Solve research problems and provide reader's advisory service; knowledge of community, books, and authors; knowledge of digital resources, reading devices and platforms; ability to learn and apply modern library methods and techniques and to acquire familiarity with the GRPL system and services offered
• Learn, effectively use, and adapt to ongoing changes in technology including library-specific and office software
• Communicate professionally with diverse groups both verbally and in writing
• Establish and maintain working relationships with other staff and the general public; work collaboratively
• Make independent and efficient decisions; work without close supervision
• Understand systems and maintain an organized and effective work process; flexibility to adapt to changes as processes are updated; perform standardized processes accurately and consistently; ability to follow procedures in processing forms and other communication
• Maintain library records and prepare reports
• Manage emotions in the workplace and maintain professional composure and judgement
• Work with supervisor and process feedback regarding job performance
• Work 20-24 hours per week; ability to work evenings and weekends
  
  

Understanding Of

• General office procedures, processes, and equipment; ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer workstations, typical electronic devices, cash register and POS systems, and software
  
  

Other Information

Please Note The Following

• A cover letter is required
• Please attach a cover letter in pdf format that describes your interest in the position, your interest in working at GRPL, and how these might tie in with personal or professional goals
• All communication regarding this position will be done via email; it is your responsibility to ensure that your email address is up-to-date on your account profile
• To be eligible for this position, you must apply through the City of Grand Rapids Job Opportunities page here

Please visit the library's jobs page for a list of other open positions at Grand Rapids Public Library.

GRPL proudly promotes diversity and inclusion in employment, and strives to maintain a workplace culture where respect and positive recognition of differences are cultivated.

Grand Rapids Public Library provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, height, weight, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. GRPL will make reasonable accommodations for employees and job applicants with disabilities.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, transfer, training, promotion, discipline, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and benefits, as well as work-related events and activities.

GRPL | Part-time Employee Benefit Summary

• Employer sponsored HealthiestYou by teledoc Healthcare
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Floating holidays
• Vacation
• Sick leave
• Personal time
• Bereavement leave
• Parental leave
• Jury duty leave
• Retirement
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Plan
  

01

Are you currently employed by GRPL?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Have you ever been employed at GRPL?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

List all relatives employed at GRPL (enter "None" if you do not have any relatives working at GRPL).

04

This position is regularly scheduled at the West Side Branch (713 Bridge St NW). Are you able to work at this location?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

This position may occasionally require you to work a shift at a different branch location. Would you be able to accommodate this requirement?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

This position's required schedule is located within the job posting. Are you able to work these hours?

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

In addition to the regularly scheduled hours, this position occasionally works on rotating Sunday afternoons between Labor Day and Memorial Day when the Main Library is open. This currently works out to around 3 Sundays per year. Are you able to work some Sundays at the Main Library?

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

What is your highest level of education?

• High school diploma/GED
• Some college
• Technical/vocational education or training
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• PhD or Doctorate
  
  

09

Do you have at least 1 year of work experience providing service to culturally and economically diverse populations in an urban setting?

• Yes
• No
  
  

10

Have you previously worked in a public library?

• Yes
• No
  
  

11

Are you verbally fluent in Spanish?

• Yes
• No
  
  

12

How many years of customer service experience do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• Greater than 2 years
  
  

13

Briefly describe your approach to customer service.

14

In order for your application to be considered, a cover letter is required. Please indicate below whether you have attached a cover letter to your application.

• Yes, I have
• No, I haven't
• Required Question

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Part-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Government Administration

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