Public Library Assistant — Reference & Outreach

cityofsomerville; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision care

Retirement plan

Transit benefit

Free Blue Bikes membership

Job summary

City of Somerville is hiring part-time library staff to provide reference and reader services at the Central Library and branches. You will staff public service desks across Reference, Children’s, Teen, and Circulation departments and assist patrons with computers and programs.

The role requires strong customer service and communication skills, flexibility for evenings and weekends, and a willingness to perform outreach activities in a busy library environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred from an ALA-accredited program; students in grad library school are encouraged to apply.
• Excellent reference and customer service skills; ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately and thoroughly.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public library operations.
• Must be available evenings and weekends, up to 19 hours per week.
• Multilingual ability preferred.

Responsibilities

• Staffs public service desks in Reference, Children’s, Teen, and Circulation departments.
• Offers reference and readers’ advisory services.
• Assists patrons with using public computers, printers, copier/scanner, and fax machine.
• Assists library staff with programs and outreach initiatives.
• Interacts with the public cheerfully and with tact.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Reference expertise

Customer service

Communication skills

Public library operations knowledge

Evenings & weekends availability

Multilingual ability

Education

ALA-accredited MLS preferred

Job description

City of Somerville is hiring part-time library staff to provide reference and reader services at the Central Library and branches. You will staff public service desks across Reference, Children’s, Teen, and Circulation departments and assist patrons with computers and programs.

The role requires strong customer service and communication skills, flexibility for evenings and weekends, and a willingness to perform outreach activities in a busy library environment.