Library Assistant - Part-Time Adult Services

Summary: Under the general supervision of the assigned Manager, or designee, the Library Assistant plays a key role in supporting library services by assisting customers and helping with the organization and maintenance of library materials.  Library Assistants may be assigned to one of three divisions: Adult Services, Material Services, or Youth Services, where they will contribute to a variety of tasks that enhance the library experience for patrons of all ages.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides high level of customer service to the public, subordinates, associates, and supervisors.
• Prepares Library displays.
• Assists customers with finding library materials.
• Assists customers with the use of library resources.
• Creates, develops, promotes, and implements programs and activities for specific division.
• Enters information, maintains, updates, research, and corrects errors in databases.
• Assist with recruitment, training, and scheduling of volunteers.
• Responds to requests for reference information from library customers.
• Recommends books and audio/visual materials to customers related to area of assignment.
• Receive and process new materials or the collection.
• Perform collection maintenance tasks.
• Transition new books to standard locations.
• Update wayfinding resources.

• Assists and backs up other areas as assigned.
• May travel to attend meetings, conferences, and training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• May be required to work extended hours on evenings and weekends.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of library services, programs, research, and resources specific to area of assignment.
• Knowledge of the educational, developmental, and interest levels of different populations served.
• Knowledge of customer service methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of computers and related equipment, hardware, and software to perform data entry, review, retrieval, and research.
• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Skill in effective oral and written communications.
• Skill in utilizing Internet web sites, professional publications, reference materials and technical assistance telephone numbers to find answers to technical and informational inquiries.
• Skill in resolving customer complaints and concerns.

• Bachelor’s Degree, and one (1) year of library experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience that support the ability to perform the essential functions and/or skills of the job.
• Preference may be given to applicants that are proficient in written and verbal Spanish.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background, and MVR check.
• Must possess valid State of Texas Driver’s License.

Environmental Factors and Conditions:

• Work is performed in a public library environment.
• May be exposed to hostile or angry citizens and/or patrons.

• This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.  A complete description of the activities below is available upon request from Human Resources. 
  • Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
  • Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility. 
  • Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine. 
  • Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
  • Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
  • Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information. 
  • Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
  • Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
  • Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning. 
  • Pulling – use upper extremities to exert force, haul, or tug.
  • Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
  • Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers. 
  • Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely. 
  • Standing – for sustained periods of time.
  • Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back. 
  • Talking 1 – expressing ideas by spoken word.
  • Visual Acuity 1 – prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
  • Visual Acuity 2 – color, depth perception, field of vision.
  • Visual Acuity 3 – determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
  • Walking – on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.