Library Assistant (36-Hour)

General Description

The City of Albany is looking for a friendly, and adaptable Library Assistant (36-hour) who enjoys helping people and keeping things running smoothly. In this role, you’ll connect patrons with resources, support library programs, and help organize and promote materials—all while creating a welcoming, community-focused environment. If you’re customer-service driven, and have a passion for life-long learning, this could be a great fit.

This position will work at both the Main Library and the Carnegie Library. Rotating weekend shifts are required as both Albany libraries are open on Saturdays. Evening shifts may also be required.

• Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with low monthly out-of-pocket cost (Download PDF reader). Employee-paid premium is approximately $56 per month for employee-only coverage up to a maximum of $162 per month for family coverage.
• City-paid contribution to a VEBA Trust account for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Currently, the annual contribution is $1,000 for employee-only and $2,000 for employee plus dependent(s).
• Paid time off including:
  • 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with progressive increases
  • 8 hours of sick leave per month
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • 24 hours of floating holiday per year

• Excellent retirement benefits including:
  • City-paid participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (OPSRP and City pays 6% IAP contribution)
  • City-paid 0.5% contribution into pre-tax deferred compensation plan
• In addition, other benefits such as job-related college tuition and book reimbursement, employee assistance program, basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.

To learn more about our organization, our community, and our benefits, click here.

GENERAL PURPOSE

This position performs a variety of library duties of a para-professional or routine nature including providing information services to library patrons and clerical and manual work in processing, classifying, and cataloging library materials.

Essential Functions/Duties & Responsibilities

This position will work at both the Main Library and the Carnegie Library. Rotating weekend shifts are required as both Albany libraries are open on Saturdays. Evening shifts may also be required. Local travel is required for this position as it will assist with Homebound deliveries.

The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification. Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform.

• Assists with all circulation-related functions, including determining eligibility and issuing library cards; modifying patron records; checking materials in and out of the library; handling monetary payments for fines and replacements; resolving issues with patron accounts; explaining library services; participating in opening and closing procedures.
• Assists a professional librarian in carrying out the programs of a division of the library; and may plan and conduct the program of a division of the library as delegated by a professional librarian.
• Drafts, edits, designs, and prepares materials to share with the community and make library resources and activities more accessible. May include the following: news releases; newsletters; signs; flyers for the public; grant request/applications; webpage design; and social media posts.
• Staffs public service desks and provides readers advisory, reference services, and technology and directional help; assists with study room reservations; schedules appointments; and answers questions about library policy, in person and via phone, email, or other mode of communication.
• Provide instruction on basic computer and internet usage, as well as devices such as smartphones, e-readers, and tablets; describe and/or demonstrate procedures for searching the online catalog and using library databases online. Assist patrons with job searching and resume building.
• Assist patrons with using public printers, scanner, copier, typewriter, and microfiche.
• Maintain day-to-day statistics for assigned library department.
• Maintains basic equipment (copy machine, micro fiche, printers, computers); straightens and shelves materials in assigned library areas.
• Participates in community outreach, promoting and providing library services outside of library buildings.
• Plans and sets up library displays, such as themed book displays, or window displays.
• Provides technical services support by reviewing materials to be classified and determining subject matter; copy cataloging; and physically processing library materials (apply barcodes, stamps, etc.).
• Assists in maintaining a tidy and visually appealing environment by straightening furniture, clearing tables, gathering materials, and picking up toys in public spaces.
• Assists with Interlibrary Loan (ILL), including accepting and processing requests using ILL management system; communicating with other libraries and ILL patrons; and collecting and reporting statistics on ILL usage.
• Coordinates exam proctoring service; corresponds with students and schools/universities through email and phone calls; ensuring students have library cards; prepares all exam information before proctoring appointments so that other staff members are able proctor exams as well; acts as an exam proctor.
• Monitors and addresses code of conduct and library policy issues in assigned library area.
• Represents the City of Albany by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor. Regards everyone, internal and external, as a customer and deliver the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner.
• Works to create a high-performance work culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City’s mission, vision, and values. Conducts self with high integrity, proactive in conserving City resources, and seeks and incorporates customer feedback for ongoing performance improvement. Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Serves as a member of various City committees as assigned.
• Assists other staff in the performance of their duties as assigned and may provide training and orientation to new assigned personnel.
• Maintains regular job attendance and adherence to working hours.
• Adheres to appropriate attire, grooming, and hygiene standards established for the position.
• Operates a motor vehicle safely and legally.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Supervision/Lead Work Exercised

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/REVIEW OF WORK

Works under the supervision of the Supervising Librarian or at the direction of designated Librarian I or II employees.

Lead Work/Coordination of Work of Others

Qualifications & Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

An associate degree in library science, liberal arts, education, or a closely related field AND one year of library or customer service experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver’s license and a driving record that meets the City’s driving standards.
• The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: principles and practices of modern library systems and programs; library circulation or processing techniques; library classification systems; and basic office procedures.

Skill in: operation of tools and equipment listed; and performance of technical library tasks.

Ability to: use tact and courtesy in interactions with a diverse group of patrons and staff; maintain patron privacy; accurately maintain library filing systems; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; understand and carry out written and oral instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public; operate computers for data entry.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

In the performance of the job duties, the employee will be working primarily in public spaces or in an office environment under usual office working conditions. Work may also be performed in meeting settings in offices or conference rooms. The noise level in the office area is typical of most office environments, with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The factors described herein are representative of, but not all-inclusive of, those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Detailed information may be available in a supplemental Job Task Analysis document.

The physical demands of this position typically include: prolonged sitting at a desk, frequent use of a computer keyboard and mouse, frequent standing and walking to retrieve documents or speak with customers or colleagues, lifting and carrying objects like books, files or paperwork, lifting items from floor to overhead, shelving books, pushing book carts, and the ability to reach and manipulate objects at various levels while seated; this role generally requires minimal physical exertion beyond basic office tasks.

Supplemental Job Task Analysis – Physical Demands

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching. The amount of balancing does not exceed that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Climbing: sufficient to ascent or descent light duty, multi-step stepstools and stairs, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
• Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: sufficient to pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Pulling: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Reaching: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Visual Acuity: ability to read computer screens and printed documents clearly; ability to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.; and effectively operate standard office equipment.
• Auditory Acuity: ability to hear conversations on the phone and in person at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED

In the performance of job duties, the employee may use the following tools and/or equipment: multi-line phone system; computer and associated software; copy and fax machines; scanner and other related tools and equipment.

Safety Equipment:

Develops safe work habits and contributes to the safety of self, co-workers, and the public.

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The City of Albany is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for City positions. Please notify the Human Resources Department if you need any reasonable accommodation or assistance with any part of our application and screening process. Hearing impaired individuals needing assistance can call the Oregon Relay Service at 800-735-2900 and provide them this phone number: 541-917-7509. All other applications are only accepted online through our vendor, NEOGOV.