Library Assistant (PT)

Vance County, NC; Henderson (NC); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Perry Memorial Library seeks an experienced Library Assistant to perform varied clerical and paraprofessional duties in service to Vance County and the City of Henderson. The role includes circulation desk exchanges, card issuance, fines collection, and assisting patrons with locating materials.

The position requires high school education with related library or office experience, weekend/evening hours, and the ability to work with Dewey Decimal organization and catalog systems.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma and related library experience or equivalent.
• Experience at a circulation desk or in patron-facing roles is preferred.
• Familiarity with basic office software and cash handling is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist at the circulation desk by checking materials in/out and issuing library cards.
• Process fines, renewals, holds, and patron requests with accuracy and courtesy.
• Maintain organization of shelves and display newspapers/m magazines as needed.
• Provide receptionist duties and answer general inquiries, directing complex questions to a supervisor.

Skills

Clerical skills

Customer service

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Cash handling

Dewey Decimal system

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Library catalog systems

Job description

This position is open until filled. The Human Resources Office is unable to provide status updates by telephone. The salary range is listed above. Starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience.

The Library Assistant performs a variety of clerical and some paraprofessional duties in the Perry Memorial Library serving Vance County and the City of Henderson. An employee in this class performs varied clerical and some paraprofessional support duties for the Library. Employees are assigned responsibility for specific record keeping duties and/or materials, organization and maintenance, and perform typical clerical duties at the circulation desk. Work at the circulation desk includes checking materials in and out, issuing library cards, collecting overdue fines, taking reserve requests, assisting patrons to locate books and other materials, and explaining library policies. Work also includes repairing books and other materials, and displaying and checking out newspapers and magazines. The work requires employees to be tactful and courteous in dealing with the patrons of the library. Weekend and evening hours are required. Work is supervised by the Circulation Supervisor and is evaluated through observation, conferences, patron feedback and annual performance evaluations.

• Shares responsibility to open and close the library; sets up the circulation desk, counts money, and places in cash drawer; turns computers on and off; retrieves messages from multi-line phone; returns calls or gives to others to respond; empties book drop box.
• Performs clerical duties at the circulation desk assisting patrons; checks books and materials in and out; enters library card applications information into computer; verifies name and address; issues cards and replaces lost cards; computes and collects overdue fines and costs for lost books, damaged materials and lost cards, etc.; and makes correct change; maintains record of monies collected.
• Checks materials for missing items or damage; notifies patron; desensitizes and re-sensitizes returned books, looks for damage; sets aside for repair; organizes books and materials for return to shelves; instructs part-time shelvers in correct shelving procedures and may assist with shelving; enters in computer database, checks out, and organizes newspaper and magazines displays.
• Provides receptionist duties for the library; answers calls or refers to others; explains library policies and answers general questions; refers question of a complex or professional nature to others.
• Instructs patrons in how to use the copier and troubleshoots minor problems; instructs patrons in use of the cataloguing system and the computer reservation system; assists patrons in reserving materials; checks availability of requested items; provides basic reader’s advisory service and assists in locating books and materials; completes reserve requests; sends faxes and collects fees; calls or send postcard to inform patrons of arrived reserves.
• Performs variety of administrative support duties such as maintaining membership card records, overdue notices, and circulation records; receipts, balances, and deposits cash and checks for circulation desk activities, memorials, donations and book sales; labels periodicals and prepares holdings reports; performs minor repair to damaged books and materials
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Requires a high school diploma and related experience in library work cataloging, shelving books, and/or assisting patrons at the circulation desk or related office work, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

Part-time position, 19 hours/week, nights and weekends required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of local government operations, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
• Knowledge of library practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of the library’s books, reference materials, periodicals, audiovisual materials and equipment.
• Knowledge of the Perry Library policies and procedures.
• Skill in the use of computers and the programs used in circulation and in other assigned responsibilities.
• Skill in dealing with employees and the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Ability to use Dewey Decimal System used for organization of library materials.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, volunteers, and adults and children using the library.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the widely varying patron demographic groups and their special needs.
• Ability to get along with others, and work effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to multi-task and work within deadlines.
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters.Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and accounting purposes.
• Ability to operate a copying machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Tasks may require the following abilities: stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, pushing, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuityto prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, and do extensive reading for visual inspection of books and materials and verification of accession numbers, titles, and authors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

Please Note

If offered a position, official transcripts/verification of education must be submitted directly to the Human Resources Office from the educational institution(s) listed on application. Positions requiring a minimum education/certification must also have official documents submitted to the Human Resources Office. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted by the candidate with the application for consideration of meeting minimum job requirements.