Circulation Assistant

Description:

Handley Regional Library seeks a customer-service oriented individual with strong communications skills to assist the public at busy public service desk. Nights and weekends required.

Weekly hours: 22 hrs per week

Rate of Pay: $13.50/hr

Reports to: Circulation Services Coordinator

Fair Labor Standards Act: Non-exempt

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Circulation Services Coordinator, performs responsible paraprofessional and technical work to provide circulation services for library patrons. Examines operations on a daily basis to ensure that all resources are managed as effectively as possible.

Major Duties

• Completes assigned hours at Public Service Desk, providing circulation services to patrons, including checking library materials in and out, handling fines and fees, registering patrons for library cards, reserving requested materials for patrons and informing patrons when reserved materials are available, and updating the circulation data base to ensure it contains accurate information on patrons. Ensures the speedy return of materials to circulation.
• Provides information to staff and patrons, including answering and directing incoming telephone calls, answering patron questions, helps patrons locate materials effectively and courteously. Provides accurate answers to basic inquiries using online resources, refer patrons to other sections of the library as needed.
• Responsible for opening circulation desks each business day. At end of business day, is responsible for counting money received, obtaining door counts from public entrance, turning off copiers, and circulation desk terminals.
• Shelves books, empties book drops, opens public entrances, keeps the circulation area neat and clean.
• Maintains the order and appearance of books and library materials in the circulating collection by reading assigned shelves to assure accurate placement of materials, performs minor repairs and cleans library materials, and routes materials to the Technical Services department to have books relabeled and repaired when necessary.
• Uses office and computer equipment efficiently and accurately (ex. scanner, copier, fax machine, self-checkout stations etc.) in conjunction with regular job functions. Performs routine maintenance, such as reloading paper trays and replacing toner or ink cartridges.
• Assists in other departments as needed or assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Controls

Library Assistant works under the supervision of the Information Service Coordinator, who establishes priorities, gives special assignments, and reviews specific tasks. Work is evaluated by direct observation, through results obtained, and through regular conferences and annual performance evaluations

Guidelines

Policies and procedures of the Handley Regional Library and the Five-Year Plan of the Handley Regional Library, Circulation Services procedures manual. State Library and ALA guidelines, and other professional and technical guidelines.

Complexity

Work is routine to complex in nature and requires attention to detail, accuracy, and the use of judgment in satisfying the needs of patrons in a timely manner.

Scope and Effect

When this position’s responsibilities are performed successfully, patrons will receive competent and courteous assistance in using the library and its resources. All patron requests will be given prompt attention and an equitable and reasonable allocation of time will be made to each request. The library collections and displays will be kept in good order. The Circulation Desk or other assigned public service desks will be neat and clean, with all equipment functioning and supplied.

Personal Contacts

Contacts are with patrons both in person, on the phone or via other electronic platforms, to provide direct assistance and to inform them of available services; and with co-workers and volunteers to coordinate activities and communicate information.

Physical Demands

The position requires standing and sitting at public service desks for the majority of the workday, working with the public, some repetitive motion and reading of computer screens. The position requires a significant amount of bending, reaching, and moving quickly to retrieve patron records or library materials shelved from six or more feet from the service desk. Shelf reading and shelving library materials requires standing on step stools or bending to reach low shelves and moving carts filled with books up and down ramps. Library Assistants must be able to empty exterior book drops, lift 25-pound boxes of books, move heavy book carts and shift furniture as necessary.

Work Environment

The work is performed primarily at a busy public information desk, during regular business hours, and includes some evening and weekends. Each Library Assistant will be assigned to work primarily in either the Handley or Bowman Library, but on occasion may be assigned to work as needed in another library in the system.

Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required: General knowledge of public library practices; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and library patrons; knowledge of popular and current reading interests; good organizational and clerical skills; general ability with computer systems; knowledge of basic mathematics; ability to work independently; ability to be flexible and remain calm in meeting demands of patrons at public service desks; good communication skills with both children and adults, including sometimes irate or upset patrons; and ability to work quickly, accurately, and efficiently. Communicates effectively and projects a positive image of the library system, functions, and branches

Preferred: Knowledge of reference sources and materials, reader interest levels, and books and authors; or ability to learn.

Education, Training, and Experience

Required: Two-year college degree.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree, library experience and experience with library computer systems, especially circulation functions or equivalent education.