Library Outreach Associate III

Position Description

Under general supervision, the Library Outreach Associate (LAlll) selects and distributes library materials to outreach patrons who live in congregate or private housing and are unable to visit the library. Performs planning, implementation, and support of programs and events for outreach patrons. Assists the work unit supervisor with various administrative duties and/or special projects and may serve as the lead worker in the Outreach Department.

Primary Responsibilities

Responsible for accuracy and quality of own work. Often serves as a lead worker providing training and work direction for Outreach Assistant and volunteers.

• Provides work direction and training to Outreach Assistant and volunteers and provides guidance and corrects work behaviors as needed. Answers technical questions and trains on proper work procedures.
  • While performing the same or similar work as employees under the line of authority, serves as a team leader, assigning particular work to co-workers using informed and independent judgment when making these assignments and ensuring the employees know and follow department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices;
    • Provides training and work direction, ensuring the employee knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.

• Selects books and library materials for outreach sites, individual patrons at the sites, and individuals in private housing.
  • Determines outreach patrons reading interests, physical abilities and other special requirements;
  • Determines the appropriate quantities of materials for various sites and individuals;
  • Determines how to fill special requests made by outreach patrons.

• Locates and prepares materials for checkout to site.
  • Locates books and materials;
  • Researches special requests;
  • Places holds on materials;
  • Performs internal searches and inter-library loan requests.

• Delivers library materials and provides library services to sites and individuals.
  • Packs and loads materials into vehicle and transports materials to site;
  • Contacts new residents regarding interest in receiving services;
  • Checks out, renews, and checks in library materials;
  • Registers patrons and issues library cards;
  • Performs reader’s advisory;
  • Assists patrons with information and research requests.

• Maintains records of:
  • Materials checked out at each site;
  • Special requests;
  • Materials returned;
  • Usage statistics forms;
  • Mileage records;
  • Lost items and billing.

• Packs, loads, transports and delivers returned materials to the Library.
  • Resolves any problems;

• Assists with various library volunteer activities:
  • Performs check-out for materials to be delivered by volunteers;
  • Answers volunteers’ questions and helps resolve problems;
  • Assists with planning and logistics for annual volunteer appreciation event including:
    • Establishing theme, program ideas, menu, invitations, decorations, thank you gifts
    • Setting up, food preparation and serving, and clean-up.
  • Assists with the hiring of library volunteers;
  • Provides training and work direction for Outreach volunteers.

• Works with Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator to develop, coordinate and implement programs and events for Outreach patrons based on their needs, interests, and goals of the library.
  • Performs program development within Outreach Services;
  • Develops promotional and instructional materials for Outreach programs and services;
  • Plans and implements educational and recreational programs for Outreach patrons off-site;
  • Promotes library collections through programming and events;
  • Assists in evaluating outcomes of programs and events.

• Makes recommendations and selects library materials for designated area(s) of the large print collection.
  • Regularly monitors book reviews, publishers’ catalogs and online sources;
  • Selects materials to meet patrons’ needs, support outreach program and correct deficiencies in the collection;
  • Performs evaluation, maintenance, and weeding in designated area(s) of responsibility to maintain continued collection relevance.

• Assists supervisor with administrative functions of the work unit, such as compiling data and preparing standard reports.
  • Makes recommendations and implements approved workflow improvements;
  • Periodically reviews and evaluates current policies and procedures relating to areas of responsibility and develops or updates policies and procedures as needed;
  • Maintains various records relating to work unit activities, etc. and prepares statistical reports regarding such information as required.

• Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
  • Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange basic fact information as requested or as necessary to perform job duties;
  • Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information where the ability to explain concepts is exercised.
  • Interaction with the public, vendors or across departments occasionally includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work-related objective;
  • Serves on library teams and committees as assigned.

• Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
  • Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
  • Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
  • When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.

• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

When an emergency declaration has been made by City of Fargo administration, performs duties as required by the Incident Commander for the duration of need. Duties may require: work in locations other than standard library locations; work outside of standard library hours of operations; work with physical requirements beyond that of regular library functions, if able.

Minimum Qualifications

The job requires an associate’s degree or completion of two or more years of college coursework, with three or more years of related customer contact experience, including one or more years of experience within a public or school library, with responsibility for assisting patrons and performing administrative clerical and/or technical duties; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Knowledge of current library practices and procedures including alphabetizing and the Dewey Decimal Classification System, circulation, and basic reference materials and methods;
• Skill in personal computer operations including Windows, Microsoft Office software, the Internet and reference databases;
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and strong customer service skills;
• Ability to develop, plan, implement, and manage creative and engaging programs for Outreach patrons;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Skill in organization and prioritizing work assignments;
• Ability to work with library patrons from all walks of life in a courteous, diplomatic, and professional manner.

Physical Demands

Daily work involves frequent local driving; frequent handling, lifting, carrying, and moving of library materials, book bags weighing 30 - 50 pounds, and book carts; loading and unloading library materials to a vehicle and driving the vehicle to Outreach sites. The work requires frequent computer use and frequent moving between buildings and rooms. The job involves dealing with members of the public who may have impaired mobility and/or other physical or developmental disabilities. The job may involve dealing with members of the public who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is regular attention to detail.

Activities include stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Medium Work: Physical demands are normally those associated with medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.