Library Assistant II
City of RochesterPOSITION DESCRIPTION
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The City of Rochester is accepting applications for:
Library Assistant II
Rochester Public Library
Rochester Public Library is seeking a dynamic, creative and enthusiastic Library Assistant II who has a passion for public service and is eager to find new ways to provide exceptional service at the Library.The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.
We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together
Library Mission and Culture
Welcoming all to connect and learn, the Rochester Public Library is a very busy downtown library and bookmobile (with more than 50,000 cardholders, over 2 million of collection use annually and the busiest bookmobile in the state of Minnesota). RPL serves the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, and visitors from all over the world.
Ideal applicants for this role will embrace our core values of creating a safe and welcoming environment for all, providing exceptional library service, and upholding intellectual freedom. We strive to reflect our community through our dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strongly urge people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Nature of Work
The Library Assistant II is an advanced clerical position, with work utilizing complex computer programs and electronic resources. Duties of this position may include, but are not limited to, working at public desks, assisting library customers and maintaining public safety and security, assisting with and presenting library programs. Acquisition tasks include the ordering and receipt of all formats of materials acquired by the library. Other responsibilities may include overseeing the work of clerical part-time employees and volunteers, setting up and operating audio-visual equipment, and working directly with vendors to solve problems. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Division Head.
Schedule
This position requires the flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
PayThe 2026 starting rate of pay is $28.25 per hour, with advancement to $35.39 per hourTo have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by November 15th, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.
*Provide Direct Service to the Public
- Meet or exceed the Library's customer service standards in all interactions with the public and staff.
- Provide basic reference and readers advisory services to the public in person and via telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, and other means of communication.
- Provide support to patrons using Library collections, equipment, and services including digital collections.
- Respond to questions regarding the status of Library accounts, interlibrary loan requests, and item renewals.
- Place interlibrary loan requests, enter reserves, and create bookings for patrons on automated library systems.
- Provide direct customer service at a Public Service desk.
- Maintain public safety and security by enforcing the Library's code of conduct.
- Create and maintain book and other displays.
*Clerical
- Perform data entry and records maintenance.
- Maintain displays such as book, art, or program promotion and material supplies such as tax forms, office supplies, booklists, informational flyers, and other items.
- Keep statistical records.
- Prepare invoices for lost materials.
- Compile and create orders for all formats based on requests from selectors. Use of cataloging databases, vendor databases, and publisher databases is needed. Create bibliographic records necessary for the ordering process.
- Order a large proportion of items from major library vendors using a systematic and efficient process. As needed, order items from any appropriate vendor, publisher, and producer/distributor. Investigate and maintain relationships with sources that supply hard to locate or specialty items.
- Receive and invoice items, including checking all items and resolving problems.
- Send invoices to the business office and maintain accurate files of invoices paid, items received, and materials to be returned. Any staff member in the Library Assistant II–Acquisitions category may be assigned responsibility for bookkeeping of one or more formats.
- Maintain standing orders including ordering, invoicing, and transferring, and discarding older editions.
- Miscellaneous acquisitions work including "first searching" (pre-searching of commercially available items for the selectors), identifying, and inventorying additions to monographic and serials records, as well as working with donated items
- Inventory added copy items, adding and discarding items as necessary. Process gift items, inventory, and bring new records over as needed.
*Leading and Directing
- Assist in interviewing, hiring, scheduling, onboarding, training, motivating, leading, directing, and evaluating part-time clerical employees and volunteers.
- Train staff and volunteers in new procedures and technology
- Evaluate and provide feedback for hardware or software when directed.
- Serve as computer liaison and trainer including working with the Technology team to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot automation systems.
*Materials Handling, Maintenance, and Processing
- Process materials in all formats and collections; verify and correct library material item information.
- Maintain the mending workflow of books; repair returned audiovisual; and print items as needed.
- Manage and perform materials handling tasks including sorting; discharging; and routing materials to various locations within the Library to ensure efficient flow of library materials.
*Programming and Training
- Assist planning, preparation, presentation, and evaluation of programs, outreach activities, and displays.
- Conduct training and provide oversight to volunteers and part-time staff as assigned
- Present programming activities under indirect supervision.
- Set-up, take down, and clean up after programs as assigned.
- Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.
- Record programs to be live streamed and archived.
Miscellaneous
- Serve on Library wide and divisional committees.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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Education and Experience
Two (2) years of library experience
High school diploma or equivalent and
Desirable Qualifications
Post-secondary education.
Ability to speak and/or read a language other than English. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
Work assignments in the Bookmobile are best described as Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: sitting
Frequent demands: fine dexterity
Occasional demands: standing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, twisting, bending, climbing, crouching, or reaching; lifting, carrying pushing/pulling
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, and touch
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job indoors include: NONE (not substantially exposed to environmental conditions)
Work assignments in the Bookmobile often require some of the workday is spent outdoors where there may be glare, noise, and a mixed exposure to heat, cold and fumes.