Patron Services Assistant (Part Time)

State; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Social Law Library is seeking a Part Time Patron Services Assistant in Boston. You will greet patrons, assist with circulation, and support reference services by phone, email, and in person.

You will help with document delivery, order processing, and basic research support, while maintaining a welcoming environment for legal professionals and the public. This role includes on-site and off-site client visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and current enrollment in a library science program.
• Experience with Sierra ILS or law library experience preferred.
• Strong patron service ethic and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and follow instructions; handle interruptions.
• Comfort with frequent telephone and computer use.

Responsibilities

• Staff the circulation desk and provide member guidance; log in patrons; check materials in/out.
• Facilitate document access and delivery; process copy requests; scan/copy materials; handle payments.
• Perform collection maintenance: shelving, shelf-reading, updating volumes.
• Engage with the Boston legal community; travel to member firms for on-site support.
• Perform other duties as assigned; assist with events and library card logistics.

Skills

Patron service

Detail oriented

Follow instructions

Independent work

Team collaboration

Interruption management

OPAC search

Telephone & computer use

Education

BA/BS

Tools

Sierra ILS

Job description

Patron Services Assistant (Part Time), Social Law Library (Boston)

As a Patron Services Assistant, you are part of the front-facing team that guides our patrons, helping them navigate and access the value of our extensive print and digital collections both in person, by email, and over the phone. You will thrive in our vibrant, team-oriented environment, where your ability to communicate clearly and pivot between tasks ensures our patrons always feel supported. Working in close partnership with the Reference and Membership teams, you’ll be an essential part of a collaborative engine dedicated to delivering the high-quality, timely service that our legal community relies on every day

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Staffing the Circulation desk & Providing Member Guidance (25%)
   As the first point of contact, you will greet patrons when they enter the library; making sure members and non-members properly log in to the library system; providing orientation to the library and the collection; checking materials in and out; maintain professional correspondence with patrons via phone, email, and in person to help them locate the resources they need; retrieving requested materials for members; referring patrons to the Reference Department; communicating with the Reference Librarians; and opening and closing the Library.
2. Facilitating Document Access & Delivery (25%)
   You will help power our high-demand delivery services. by receiving and retrieving copy orders placed through our online portal, phone, email, or in person; expertly scanning and copying materials using specialized tools like photocopiers and microfiche readers to fill requests; ensuring the reliable delivery of orders via email and USPS; efficiently handling payment processing and utilizing our online order system to track and maintain request status; and providing critical research support by retrieving court documents directly from the Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court Clerk’s office.
3. Performing Collection Maintenance (20%)
   Primarily includes scanning and shelving materials in the library by location and call number; shelf reading for accurate call number order; updating loose-leaf filing volumes as needed; and assisting with collection shifts, stack labeling or other clean-up projects.
4. Participating in Point-to-Point Service (25%)
   Engage with the Boston Legal Community beyond the library walls, you will travel to member law firms in Boston to provide on-site support and assistance. Primarily, this role will be conducting similar collection maintenance tasks (filing, checking in items, opening mail) but may involve contact with outside vendors for the firm.
5. Other duties as assigned (5%)
   From assisting with special events to helping manage library card logistics, you will be a go-to team member for various operational tasks that keep our facility running smoothly.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree and current enrollment in a library science program are required.
• Experience: Prior library experience using Sierra ILS or law library experience preferred.
• Knowledge and Skills: Patron service work ethic required. Must be detail oriented and able to follow instructions. Ability to work independently and maintain harmonious working relationships. Ability to work well with frequent interruptions. Knowledge of basic computer skills including OPAC searching. Must be comfortable with frequent telephone and computer use.
• Contact with Others/Scope of Authority: Frequent contact with Library members, visitors, and staff.
• Working Conditions: The Social Law Library is an air-conditioned smoke-free facility. Position requires stamina to load, unload and push book trucks and work on one’s feet for periods of up to three hours at a time. Job entails some moderate lifting and furniture moving.
• Hours: A minimum of 32 hours per week to be worked in shifts of no fewer than 3 hours between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. Shifts are worked on-site and off-site at patrons’ offices Monday through Friday. Specific schedules are to be mutually agreed upon with the Patron Services Librarian.

Full/Part Time

Part Time

Education

BA/BS

Salary

$20.00/hour