Library Clerk

Nature of Work

• Responsible for providing efficient, helpful, and customer-focused circulation and related collection-use services to Library patrons. Assists professionals and managers as assigned. Library staff work rotating Saturdays and up to two evenings per week.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides excellent customer service to a diverse community and patrons of all ages Maintains circulation database.
• Uses Polaris LEAP (integrated library system software); internet browsers and other software programs to access information and helps patrons locate library materials.
• Works with different types of computers or terminals, printers, copiers, fax, micro-form reader-printers, and other equipment, and performs minor troubleshooting with equipment.
• Assists patrons with the use of equipment and software.
• Renews loans by telephone.
• Makes phone calls to patrons for items on hold.
• Explains and performs circulation transactions.
• Collects money, records transactions and makes deposits.
• Responsible for using a cash register.
• Explains library policy and procedures to patrons in person and on the telephone.
• Registers patrons for library cards.
• Explains internet services to patrons and enforces library internet policies.
• Instructs patrons in using web interface, mouse, software, search engines, and simple searches. Assists patrons in the use of library facilities.
• Provides a full range of patron services in obtaining requested material or information through computerized circulation system, interlibrary loan and searching bibliographies.
• May make recommendations of titles or subjects for selection to supervisor based on interactions with patrons.
• Handles patron complaints and minor disturbances; reports problems, verbally and in writing, promptly to supervisor.
• May perform collection maintenance, as assigned, with support of another staff member.
• Performs duties with minimum supervision or with no supervisor on site.
• Contacts remote supervisor as needed. Maintains work desk and public areas; reports facilities maintenance problems to supervisor.
• Prepares materials for circulation, affixing labels and covers as assigned.
• Maintains books, periodical and audio-visual collections through repairs, cleaning and mending. Clips materials for vertical file.
• Assists supervisor with discarding material from collection.
• Prepares paperbacks, magazines, and other materials for input.
• Maintains inventory and orders supplies when needed.
• Shelves books and maintains collection by straightening, shifting shelves, shelf reading, inspecting material condition and supports inventory procedures.
• Sets up displays to promote library use and library materials. Assists with and promotes special projects and programming as assigned by supervisor.
• May be trained and assigned to drive Bookmobile or work on Bookmobile and attend library outreach events.
• May be assigned to an alternate library location up to two days per week.
• May perform other activities needed to maintain public library.
• The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent customer service skills with active listening skills and communication skills, both in person and over the telephone.
• Must be cheerful, adaptable, and a team player. Possess an ability to demonstrate innovative problem solving and embrace change.
• Working knowledge of current technology and ability learn new skills and equipment.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with a diverse population.
• Able to read computer screens and printed materials.
• Able to shelve books and operate office equipment.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be able to Type a Minimum of 30 Words Per Minute with Accuracy
• Must be able to Lift a Minimum of 50 lbs
• Ability to file accurately and quickly in both numeric and alphabetical order using the Library of Congress.
• Must have reliable transportation to off-site locations at any scheduled time.

Conditions Of Employment

• A skills assessment test of all requirements will be conducted to verify qualifications.
• The selected candidate will be pre-employment required to obtain, at their own expense, 3 forms of clearance, including PA State Police Criminal History Record Check; PA Child Abuse History; and
• FBI Criminal History Background Check including finger printing. Must have reliable transportation to library locations as scheduled.