Senior Library Assistant (Branch)

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Boston seeks a Library Assistant to greet patrons, assist with registration, and manage circulation tasks in branch libraries. You will handle fines, shelving, and basic interlibrary loan requests, while assisting with public computers and equipment.

Strong customer service and reliability are essential. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED and the ability to work 35 hours per week in a branch library setting.

Qualifications

• Tact in dealing with people; good oral skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff; workplace-appropriate demeanor.
• Competency in personal computers and Windows software for tasks.
• Dependability, good attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required.

Responsibilities

• Greets and directs library patrons in person and over the phone.
• Charges and discharges books and other materials; records fines.
• Interviews applicants for library cards and verifies ID.
• Maintains periodicals, routes requests, and handles interlibrary loan tasks.
• Sorts, shelves, bar-codes books, and checks for missing items.
• Operates basic library equipment and assists patrons with tech.
• Compiles basic statistical records; attends training as directed.

Skills

Tact in dealing with people

Good oral skills

Dependability

Punctuality

Judgment and attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Windows software

Job description

Includes library assistants working in the branch libraries whose duties involve the following: greeting and directing patrons, registration of borrowers, charging and discharging of books and other materials, maintaining the book and other materials collections, maintaining/troubleshooting equipment, typing/word processing, and filing.

Under the direction of the Branch Librarian or ranking staff member, and in accordance with standard policies and practices, performs any or all of the following:

• Greets and directs library patrons in person and over the phone, providing simple directions and information.
• Gives out and interprets Boston Public Library (BPL) policies and procedures in a professional and courteous manner.
• Identifies and refers problems to their supervisor.
• Charges and discharges books and other materials, and receives and records fines.
• Interviews applicants for library cards and verifies identification.
• Prepares periodicals for circulation and maintains the periodical collection.
• Books museum passes.
• Receives and routes requests, including basic interlibrary loan requests, maintains the reserve shelf, and handles the send item list.
• Receives, sorts, shelves, verifies, delivers, mends, and bar-codes books, and traces records and searches shelves for books not properly accounted for.
• Assists in maintaining bulletin boards and exhibition cases.
• Typing/word processing simple forms and records.
• Compiles basic statistical records.
• Operates and provides basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, e.g., turning on and off, cleaning, filling with paper, replacing toner cartridges.
• Uses and assists patrons in the basic use of a variety of library-owned technological equipment, e.g. photocopier, public computer sign‑up systems, audiovisual equipment.
• Sorts and routes U.S. Mail.
• Attends training when directed.
• Performs other related work as required.

• Education - High school graduate or GED.
• Experience - None required.
• Tact in dealing with people; good oral skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff; demeanor appropriate to the workplace.
• Competency in the use of personal computers and Windows software is sufficient to meet the tasks of the position.
• Dependability, good attendance, and a punctuality record.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

CORI & SORI CHECKS REQUIRED

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: AFSCME/LA-3

Hours per week: 35