Reference Assistant

Middlesex Public Library; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Middlesex Public Library in Piscataway Township, New Jersey, seeks a customer-service oriented library assistant to support Reference and Circulation duties. You will engage with patrons of all ages at the Reference Desk or by phone and help them access catalog and digital resources.

Strong communication and computer skills are essential. You will also handle routine circulation tasks such as issuing cards, registering patrons, tracking materials, and assisting with interlibrary loans and fines,

Responsibilities

• Answer reference requests and interviews at the Reference Desk or by phone.
• Provide instruction on catalog, website, eBooks, and eMagazine collections.
• Maintain knowledge of key resources and databases to assist patrons.
• Provide assistance at public computers and printers and troubleshoot problems.
• Receive and respond to compliments, complaints and suggestions.
• Charge and discharge library materials.
• Register new patrons and issue library cards.
• Open the building at start of day and close at end of day with required duties.
• Assist with internet access, databases, and online catalog.
• Use the computer system to help locate, borrow, and return materials.
• Keep materials organized behind Circulation Desk and reshelve if needed.
• Handle Inter Library Loan materials and hold requests.
• Keep statistics and documentation for circulation operations.
• Compute and collect fines and payments for lost materials.
• Answer patron inquiries about location, availability, and reservations.
• Maintain patron and collection databases to ensure data integrity.

Job description

Reference Duties

• Answering reference requests/reference interviews at the Reference Desk or over the phone to patrons of all ages;
• Providing instruction to patrons in the use of library catalog, website, eBooks and eMagazine collections; and reference resources;
• Maintaining knowledge of key library print and electronic resources within a department, including, but not limited to, common websites and search engines, databases and digital content collections in assisting patrons;
• Providing customers with assistance and support at the public computers and printers including troubleshooting problems;
• Receiving and responding to customer compliments, complaints and suggestions;

Circulation Duties

• Charging and discharging library materials
• Registering new patrons and issuing library cards
• Opening building at start of the business day and/or closing building at end of the day with required duties
• Handling simple questions and providing assistance with internet access, library databases, and the online catalog
• Using the computer system to help patrons locate, borrow, and return library materials
• Keep materials organized behind the Circulation Desk and prepare them for reshelving if needed
• Handle incoming and outgoing Inter Library Loan materials and hold requests/materials
• Keep necessary statistics and documentation for general circulation operations
• Compute and collect fines and payments for lost materials
• Answer patron inquiries about material location, availability, and reservations
• Maintain patron database to ensure data integrity and accuracy
• Maintain collection database to ensure data integrity and accuracy

Other duties necessary to Library operations as determined by the Director and/or Board of Trustees

For a full list of qualifications and benefits, please visit https://www.middlesexlibrarynj.org/employment/