Senior Library Assistant (Branches)

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Boston is seeking a Library Assistant to greet and direct patrons, assist with registration and circulation, and help maintain collections and equipment. The role involves processing books, handling fines, and guiding users in the use of library resources.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED and strong interpersonal skills. The position emphasizes reliability, punctuality, and careful attention to detail in daily duties at branch libraries.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• No prior work experience is required.
• Tact in dealing with people and good oral skills are essential.
• Ability to use Windows and basic PC skills is sufficient for the position.
• Dependability, good attendance, and punctuality are important.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and attention to detail as required by the job.

Responsibilities

• Greets and directs library patrons in person and over the phone, providing simple directions and information.
• Gives out and interprets library policies and procedures in a professional and courteous manner.
• Identifies and refers problems to their supervisor.
• Charges and discharges books and other materials, 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.

Skills

Tact in dealing with people

Oral communication skills

Attention to detail

Punctuality

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Windows

PC proficiency

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 BPL policies and procedures in a professional and courteous manner.
• Identifies and refers problems to their supervisor.
• Charges and discharges books and other materials, 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 CHECK REQUIRED -

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

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

Hours per week: 35