Library Assistant II

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Department of Human Resources website. Read on to find out more about this opportunity.

The Marin County Free Library (MCFL) is a special taxing district that operates ten branch libraries in Marin under the authority of the Board of Supervisors. It provides public library services to the residents of the unincorporated areas of the County and the cities of Corte Madera, Fairfax, and Novato. The Marin County Free Library is an innovative and dynamic civic institution that is committed to providing exceptional services to a community that cares deeply about the library and encourages the library to assume a critical role in supporting the community to be resilient, equitable, and progressive. MCFL is committed to racial equity and the inclusion of those with multiple perspectives and backgrounds in our decision making.

Library Assistant II provide day-to-day library services to patrons of all ages, including provision of basic reference and readers’ advisory, digital and information literacy instruction, and proactive customer service to enhance our ‘single desk’ model of service. They oversee circulation and basic library operations and provide supervision and training to circulation staff and volunteers. Incumbents will serve communities with diverse backgrounds and abilities. Library Assistant II help lead improvement of branch materials handling and support programming, marketing and outreach to engage, empower and inspire Marin’s diverse communities. These positions are key to expanding innovative library services and 21st century learning. 

There are currently two full-time vacancies for a Library Assistant II, one in the South Novato Library and one in the Fairfax Library. 

South Novato
The South Novato Library is an Education Equity branch that works with families, partners, and other stakeholders in the community to decrease achievement gaps based on race and income. The branch offers literacy programs for youth, a slate of programs in our English Learning Community (including ESL classes, El Chit Chat Club, and one-on-one tutoring) and employs high school interns who support these literacy and language learning programs. The Circulation Team is essential in supporting the branch’s equity efforts and providing a space and experience that makes community members from all backgrounds feel that they belong in the library and are comfortable using its resources.

Candidates will be expected to work a schedule that includes some evenings and weekend days.

Fairfax
The Fairfax Library is a busy regional branch serving a wide range of patrons. This position serves a key role in providing outreach and programming to adults and older adults. This includes working with librarians to plan and execute activities, as well as reaching out to the public to bring library services to the community. This position provides basic reference and readers’ advisory, assists patrons with technology use, and supports reference and circulation functions in the library. The position may serve as supervisor of the branch when the Branch Manager is absent. 

Candidates will be expected to work a schedule that includes Saturdays and Wednesday evenings.

Our Highly Qualified Candidate: 

The highly qualified candidate has a strong interest and commitment in providing support and advising patrons in a public library setting. In addition, the ideal candidate works effectively in both an independent and team environment; has experience or is interested in leading or supervising staff, is able to apply strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills in a rapidly changing environment; recognizes and respects cultural differences; has a firm commitment to addressing equity issues and improving the educational outcomes for children; and is passionate and enthusiastic about public library services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: 

• Customer services techniques and practices
• Organization, practices and procedures of a public library system.
• General library resources and practices.
• The Dewey Decimal System and its application.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Standard telephone use and etiquette.
• Principles and practices for dealing with the public.
• Business arithmetic.
• Basic computer applications related to the work.
• Record keeping practices.
• Basic supervisory and training practices.

Ability to:

• Perform paraprofessional patron service and library support work independently.
• Depending on assignment, provide supervision and training to staff and volunteers, including creating and maintaining work schedules.
• Depending on assignment, assists in planning, developing, coordinating and presenting branch programs and activities.
• Depending on assignment, provide basic reference services.
• Interpret, apply and explain library policies and procedures.
• Use library equipment, automated library systems and other software programs related to the work.
• Understand and follow written and oral directions.
• Organize own work and set work priorities.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations, including collecting and accounting for money collected.
• Collect, process and interpret data.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge and abilities listed below. Typically, equivalent to graduation from high school and two years of experience assisting patrons in a public or academic library. College coursework in library sciences may be substituted up to one year of the required experience.

Special Requirements: Candidates selected are subject to fingerprinting by the Sheriff's Department and must pass a Department of Justice LiveScan background check prior to appointment.

Bilingual Testing/Certification:To be eligible for a bilingual differential, the successful candidate must possess bilingual skills and must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to appointment.  A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the candidates possess the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements. 

Candidates who meet the requirements for this position may be considered for future vacancies in other branch locations while this list remains active. We encourage you to apply now if you are interested in Library Assistant II assignments in any MCFL branch.

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Alisa Samuel at Alisa.Samuel@marincounty.gov.