Employment Opportunities

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Employment Opportunities

Job Classification: Library Assistant II

M-F 9am-2pm, one evening/week 3-8pm, and rotating Saturdays 10am-4pm

Part-Time: 25 hrs/wk
Partial benefits: PERSI, paid holidays

Job Summary

The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform responsible and varied paraprofessional, technical, and clerical work for the library. This position is supervised by and provided guidance in daily tasks by the Director or Assistant Director. The principal duties of the position are performed in the staff work areas and public service areas of the library, and include working with library visitors and other library staff. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Greets and assists patrons by referring them to other staff as necessary; 
• Provides reference and reader’s advisory services to a variety of patrons from diverse backgrounds utilizing a variety of print and digital tools;
• Facilitates access to the library collection and resources through a variety of formats;
• Operates and navigates the online library system and all library electronic resources;
• Troubleshoots technology issues for staff and customers;
• Responds to patron reference questions and refers, when appropriate, to sources outside the library;
• Explains library policies and procedures to patrons and staff and determines best course of action to resolve issues;
• Assists patrons with research, technology issues, conducting peer studies and market research;
• Maintains an advanced knowledge of library resources and practices and an awareness of current trends and technologies through regular review of professional literature and participation in continuing education opportunities such as seminars and workshops;
• Assists patrons in using Public Access Computers (OPAC) terminals when requested; 
• Performs circulation functions including checking items out, returns, renewals, etc.;
• Registers patrons for new accounts, assists with current accounts, and places holds;
• Answers directional and basic information questions.
• Assists with other service areas as needed.

General Employee Responsibilities

• Projects a positive and pleasant attitude to the public;
• Cooperates with and maintains an effective relationship with other staff members as part of a team; 
• Demonstrates regular & punctual attendance;
• Adheres to library policies and procedures;
• Performs other library-related tasks as requested.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred. Ability to pass a standard background check required. Bachelor’s degree or higher in library science, education or equivalent experience preferred. Previous library experience desired. Bilingual Spanish-English ability preferred.

Knowledge of: 

• Fundamental library principles, objectives, methods, materials, and practices;
• Standard use of the English language, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
• Operation of standard office equipment, a computer, and job-related software;
• Current office practices and procedures;
• Customer service techniques and objectives;
• Phone usage and etiquette; 
• Basic money handling skills.

Ability to:

• Follow written and/or oral instructions;
• Work independently;
• Organize work for efficient use of time;
• Sort, shelve, and locate materials alphabetically by author, title, or Dewey Decimal System;
• Comprehend patron requests, written or verbal;
• Operate a computer system using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines; 
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions and returning to and completing tasks in a timely manner;
• Accept and deal with challenges and changes quickly and professionally;
• Work in a fast-paced, team environment;
• Display high levels of attention to detail;
• Maintain confidentiality of patron records;
• Push and pull library book carts weighing 100-300 lbs;
• Lift and move items up to 35 lbs;
• Carry up to 15 lbs. of books across the library;
• Stand for a long time in one area;
• Bend and stretch to reach high and low shelves and into sorting bins;
• Work regularly scheduled evenings and rotating Saturdays.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and/or hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to  discern instructions and communicate with library patrons; 
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and to sort and shelve a variety of books, written documents, and materials;   
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other specialized library equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, stamina, and agility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to lift and move up to 35 pounds, stand or sit for extended periods of time, maneuver heavy book carts, and to work in a library environment. 
• Jobs in this class require performing repetitive hand movement in gripping, fingering, and hand/wrist/arm movements. Related job tasks may require walking, standing, sitting, lifting, stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, crouching, pushing, grasping, and reaching.  

Physical Demands:

The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, and reaching, or similar activities such as climbing up and down a ladder to retrieve and replace books or program supplies; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as boxes up to 35 pounds above the waist; pushing carts (on wheels) of up to 300 pounds; and repetitive use of the wrist, forearm, and hands.

Work Environment:

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, residences (i.e., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations, etc.). The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The Madison Library District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.