Library Assistant I

Located 45 minutes from the Nation’s Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America’s top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education.  CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break.  We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

Under the supervision of the Library Coordinator, Library Assistants provide supportive library services at the circulation desk. They help answer general inquiries from customers about the library and CSM.  The position assists the coordinator with all administrative duties and assists with the maintenance and use of library equipment including printers and scanners.  This position is entry level and requires the use of basic skills acquired through prior work experience.  The work requires strong communication skills, initiative, and independent judgement.

Reports to: Library Coordinator

The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range advertised. This position is open until filled.

Essential Functions:

• Provides coverage at the service desk, assists customers, answers telephone inquiries, takes messages, and handles general inquiries about the Library and CSM.
• Locates and obtains library materials for customers (students, staff, faculty and community members) from multiple sources including in-house, other campus libraries, area libraries, and inter-library loans.
• Assist customers with inquiries related to a variety of online resources and print-based materials as appropriate.
• Refers customers to the appropriate personnel or department as required.
• Refers reference and research questions to the Library Coordinator and assists with reference and research questions when the Library Coordinator is unavailable.
• Demonstrates the use of Library materials, equipment and computers to customers as needed. 
• Contact customers by phone, e-mail and other written communications about holds, overdue materials, and other questions and problems as necessary.
• Produces ID cards for students, staff and faculty. 
• Troubleshoots problems with computerized equipment within the library, including computers, printers, and copiers. Notifies the appropriate departmental staff of actions required or repairs needed.
• Performs online circulation functions using Follett software. 

• Advises the Library Coordinator of problems related to the daily operation of the library service desk.
• Assists Library Coordinator with check-in, labeling and shelving faculty reserve items and maintaining items in the reserve collection.
• Performs check-in, labeling and shelving of other library materials.
• Assists in collection maintenance (shelving, straightening, shifting, shelf checks) of the campus’s print and audio-visual collections.   
• Performs weekly check-in and maintenance of periodical in the campus library’s collection using an excel workbook.
• Provides clerical support for Library Coordinator as needed. 
• Assists in inventory and notifies Library Coordinator of supply requirements for the efficient running of library operations (ID card supplies, office supplies, student printer paper, etc. etc.).
• Replenishes supplies in printers and copiers on a regular basis or as needed. 
• Establishes and maintains files and procedures to support all acquisitions functions. 
• Maintains printers, copiers, other office and library equipment on a regular basis or as needed. 

• Assists in maintaining the general order of the library by relating policies and procedures to customers and notifying the proper staff of problems when necessary.
• Opens and closes campus library when necessary. 
• Light cleaning duties as assigned or as needed (dusting, emptying trash and recycling, cleaning tables and computer workstations, sweeping and vacuuming in and around tables, and pushing in chairs around tables and computer workstations).

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• 1 year of customer service experience

• Associates
• 2 years of library service experience or equivalent

• none

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to promote positive environment for students, staff, and faculty.
• Ability to resolve customer issues/problems in a manner that exceeds client expectations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate excellent work ethic and integrity.
• Ability to work seamlessly with a variety of people.

General Employment Information

The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Background Checks

The College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students.  The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks:  Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check.

Conflict of Interest policy

No College of Southern Maryland employee shall engage in or have a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any activity that conflicts or raises a reasonable question of conflict with his or her duties and responsibilities. CSM Employees shall not at any time engage in any outside employment or independent consulting that would adversely affect their employment status or performance as employees at the college, create a conflict of interest, or, with the exception of constitutionally protected activities, would compromise or embarrass the college, or adversely affect professional standing. Any full-time college employee who also holds a full-time position or its equivalent in consulting elsewhere (whether permanent or seasonal) will be deemed to have a conflict of interest and will be asked to resign from one of the full-time positions.  Full-time employees must promptly disclose in writing, on a form available from the Human Resources Office, to the college all other full-time employment or its equivalent in independent consulting.  

Employment Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to find our frequently asked questions:https://www.csmd.edu/employment/frequently-asked-questions/index.htm