Library Assistant (V26/10105)

Blue Mountains City Council; Branch (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Mountains Library Service is seeking a Library Assistant to join a branch library team. You will provide courteous circulation service, help customers locate materials, and assist with programs and technology use at one of the branches.

The role supports homebound readers, handles transactions, and contributes to sustainability goals within the library service.

Qualifications

• Customer service experience in a library or service environment.
• Computer literacy and basic troubleshooting.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide library circulation service using the automated system.
• Sort and shelve materials by Dewey Decimal and alphabetically.
• Assist with reference inquiries and program information.
• Assist with inter-library loan requests and buying suggestions.
• Support housebound readers and assist with technology.
• Handle cash and EFTPOS transactions.
• Participate in library activities and contribute to sustainability goals.

Skills

Customer service

Computer literacy

Attention to detail

Written communication

Team experience

Initiative & flexibility

WHS knowledge

Opportunity principles

Education

HSC or equivalent

Junior Librarian program

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Library Assistant

Position Number:

Directorate & Branch: Community & Economic Services

Service: Library & Information Services

Location: Any Library Branch

Date Created/Updated 30/4/2021 Updated August 2026

Position Classification: Band 2

POSITION PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

Assist in the provision of a courteous, efficient and effective library service in a branch library.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Position Title Coordinator Library Branches

Reports to: Position Number P01211

Staff Responsibility: Nil

Key Internal Relationships: Library Coordinator Team, Team Leader Librarians, Specialist Librarians, Library Assistants, other relevant

Key External Relationships: Members of the public

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide library circulation service to customers using the automated system with general guidance on a daily basis.
• Sort and shelve library materials quickly and accurately by Dewey Decimal classification and alphabetical order where required.
• Carry out regular shelf checking and tidying and assist in setting up displays.
• Provide information in response to straightforward enquiries from customers; including author, title and subject requests, and programs; and where necessary refer other enquiries to appropriate staff.
• Assist customers with requests for inter-library loan service and buying suggestions.
• Assist with selection of materials for housebound readers where required.
• Assist customers in the use of technology, including but not limited to public access computers, accessing the library catalogue and use of multifunction printers/photocopiers.
• Provide basic troubleshooting assistance and carry out basic maintenance of library technology.
• Handle complaints from customers according to routine procedures and refer to supervisor when necessary.
• Handle cash and EFTPOS transactions, issue change and receipts and assist with counting and balancing of money.
• Provide support with workplace training of new staff and advise supervisor of training needs.
• Participate in library activities and programs.
• Contribute to help Council deliver its sustainability goals.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

We act as one organisation responding to the changing needs of our community while protecting and enhancing our World Heritage environment.

We are strategy led, driven by our Community Strategic Plan with clear priorities and focus.

We are service focused we continuously improve service provision and provide excellent customer service.

We collaborate and work together to achieve our outcomes.

We ensure safety and well-being is at the centre of our organisation, operations and culture for our employees, our community and our environment.

We are a socially, environmentally and financially sustainable organisation, living within our means, ensuring best value resource allocation.

These Guidelines complement the Council’s adopted Values of: Work Together; Work Safe Home safe; Service Excellence; Value for Money; Trust and Respect; and, Supporting Community.

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils policies and procedure and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are not limited to implementation of policies, procedures and work practices within your relevant portfolio and provision of sufficient resources to ensure compliance with WHS legislation; ensuring duty of care through keeping updated on relevant WHS and well-being matters within your relevant portfolio; ensuring incidents, hazards, risks and well-being are understood, minimized and managed effectively in a timely manner within your relevant portfolio including escalation of issues where appropriate; provision of advice, support, equipment and training to your staff members to enable compliance with Councils WHS policies and WHS legislation.You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition, you are required at all times to comply with Councils Asbestos Management Plan and Policy.

COMMUNICATION

This position will be required to communicate with members of the community of all ages and backgrounds, as well as staff at varying levels. This will include providing advice and relaying and receiving information. The position will need to be able to deal with difficult customers and resolve issues promptly where possible.

JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

Maintaining a high level of customer service at all times.

AUTHORITY

This position will be required to make decisions as they arise and resolve them in the most appropriate manner. They will exercise sound judgment in determining appropriate outcomes in line with existing policies and procedures in the workplace environment. If need be, refer matters to Branch Librarian (Team Leader) or Supervisor.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

• ESSENTIAL1. Demonstrated ability to deliver efficient and enthusiastic Customer Service in response to
• ESSENTIAL2. Demonstrated computer literacy with the ability to assist clients in the use of technology and to provide basic trouble-shooting assistance where required.
• ESSENTIAL3. Demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and with attention to detail.
• ESSENTIAL4. Demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills.
• ESSENTIAL5. Demonstrated team experience.
• ESSENTIAL6. Demonstrated ability to work with initiative and flexibility.
• ESSENTIAL7. Knowledge of and commitment to Work Health and Safety systems and Equal Employment
• ESSENTIAL8. Opportunity principles.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Age 18+
• Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent; or successful completion of the Blue Mountains Library Junior Library Assistant Program.

DESIRABLE

• Public Library experience.
• Knowledge of Dewey Decimal classification and library call numbers and categories.

The position holder can be required to work at any Branch of the Blue Mountains Library Service.

BMCC POSITIONAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANALYSIS NOTE

NOTE: to be completed with the Recruitment Requisition form by the requesting Manager/ Supervisor.

Please contact the WH&S Officer if assistance is required in completing this form.

Position: Library Assistant

Lower / Upper Mountains Library CoordinatorBranch Librarian as relevant

Signature: Date:

Complete the physical requirements and working condition sections of the table below based on an employee’s average daily exposure to the tasks listed. Ratings as follows:

No Exposure 0

High Exposure (4 - 8hrs daily) 3

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Tasks

0 Pushing loads > 5kgs 1 stooping

1 Sitting for extended periods

2

Light Manual Tasks 3 Pulling loads >5kgs 0 Repetitive Lifting 3 Standing for extended periods

3

Extend arms for reaching

1 Elevating arms above shoulder height

1 Kneeling for extended periods

0

Climbing to access/

0 Throwing 0 Walking on uneven ground

0 Walking for extended periods

2

Balancing 1 Crawling 0 Hearing above background noise

0 Depth Perception 1

WORKING CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL

High Temperatures> 38deg

0 Low Temperatures

0

Operating Machinery

0 Working Near Machinery

0 Working at Heights 0 Noisy Work Areas 0

Vibration 0 Confined Spaces 0 Prolonged Driving (periods > 2 hours)

0 Working Alone 1

Use of computer for screen-based activities.

3 Prolonged Sitting (periods > 1 hour)

0 Prolonged Standing (periods > 1 hour)

3

CHEMICALS BIOLOGICAL

Dusts 0 Liquids 0 Pesticide Spraying 0 Herbicide Spraying 0

Working with Solvents

0 Mists / Fumes 0

1 Tetanus

1

Repetitiveness 2 Fatigue 1

ASBESTOS

Asbestos Awareness None of the below

Supervision

USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Safety Boots/Shoes

0 Dust Mask/Respirator

0 Protective Eyewear

Provide a brief description of the job requirements:

Customer facing library work including computer use, physical handling of library materials, and delivery of programs.