Library Specialist - Public Services Part-Time

City of Great Falls; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Great Falls is seeking a Library Services Assistant to serve as a primary contact for visitors, providing broad knowledge of library operations and resources. You will move between service functions with a welcoming, professional demeanor and exercise sound judgment to resolve patron concerns.

The role supports Customer Service (75%) and Library Services (25%), including holds, notifications, readers advisory, account management, tech help, room bookings, displays, shelving, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus 2 years of college coursework in library science or related field.
• Two years of library experience preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain files and handle transactions accurately.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors and provide excellent customer service.
• Inform and assist patrons; enforce library rules professionally.
• Handle holds, notifications, research inquiries, and reader's advisory tasks.
• Create/update library accounts and process fines.
• Assist with computers, digital resources, and tech troubleshooting.
• Check-in/out materials and manage room bookings.
• Promote materials, programs, and services; design displays.
• Shelve materials and keep spaces organized.
• Maintain monthly patron interaction statistics.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication

Cash Handling

Organizational Skills

Conflict Resolution

Privacy Respect

Research Support

Education

High school diploma + 2 years library coursework

Tools

Database access

Job description

This position serves as a primary point of contact for library visitors, utilizing a broad working knowledge of library operations and resources to meet a wide range of patron needs. Work requires the ability to move fluidly between service functions, maintain a welcoming and professional demeanor, and exercise sound judgment in enforcing library policies while resolving patron concerns. The position reports directly to the Public Services Librarian.

Customer Service (75%)

• Welcomes and interact with library visitors to create a positive library experience.
• Delivers exceptional customer service by listening, offering accurate information, and keeping interactions positive in person, by email, or on the phone, while professionally enforcing library rules for property, computers, and materials.
• Manages customer requests and assists library users by handling material holds, database updates, user notifications, and research inquiries.
• Performs readers advisory by helping library users discover materials tailored to their personal interests.
• Helps library users by answering questions, finding information, and using research tools to support their reference needs.
• Creates new library accounts or updates existing ones including processing payments for fines and fees, billing accounts and accepting donations.
• Assists customers with computers, digital resources and troubleshoots tech devices.
• Manages the check-in and check-out of materials for users.
• Handles booking requests for meeting rooms for new and current customers using scheduling tools.

Library Services Support (25%)

• Promotes library materials, programs, services and collections by designing creative displays, book reviews and sharing promotional materials.
• Shelves and shifts library materials as needed.
• Ensures that library public spaces are organized and stocked appropriately.
• Keeps monthly statistics on patron interactions.
• Provides support to other library departments as needed.
• May participate in professional development and committees as appropriate.

• Combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma and two years of college-level coursework in library science or a related field.
• Two years of experience within a library settingdesired.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess or have the ability toobtain a validMontana driver's license, preferred.
• Candidates may be asked to obtain their Montana Notary Public, if desired.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, and library users of all ages.
• Working knowledge of the library's policies, procedures and practices
• Effectively promotes enthusiasm for library services
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of library operations, including library ethicaltopics.
• Working knowledge of existing standard reference and bibliographical resources
• Ability to maintain files in orderly and efficient manner
• Ability to compile requested materials, lists, statistics and related information quickly and accurately

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong Customer Service
• Effective Communication Skills
• Appropriate Conflict Resolution
• Efficient Organizational Skills
• Respectful of Patron Privacy
• Accurate Cash Handling

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a library environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, pinch, grasp, reach, pull and perform similar body movements. Must have the ability to perform moderate physical work and to lift and carry up to 50 pounds at a time; the possession of hand/eye coordination sufficient to operate a computer, typewriter, microfilm reader, printer and copier; the ability to talk and hear in person or by telephone; and the ability to see and read materials.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This job description applies to both full-time and part-time positions. Full-time roles typically work 40 hours per week, while part-time roles work 29 hours per week. Work schedules follow a five-day workweek with hours assigned between Sunday and Saturday. This position is a non- exempt position and is eligible for overtime, with pre-approval by the Public Services Librarian or other supervisory staff.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training and educational opportunities.