Library Assistant (Part-Time, Buellton Library)

ABOUT THE POSITION
The City of Goleta welcomes applications for the position of Part-Time Library Assistant at the Buellton Library!  The ideal candidate will be a team player with strengths in the areas of customer service and attention to detail.  The primary responsibilities of the Library Assistant include assisting patrons with a variety of information needs, providing programming and collections support, and completing a range of circulating procedures.  The position is approximately 15 hours per week.  The anticipated schedule is expected to include weekday, evening, and weekend shifts. 

This is a non-benefited, non-career at-will classification. Persons appointed to positions in this classification will be classified as temporary, at-will employees, and will not gain property rights or have an expectation of continued employment. Incumbents will work no more than 999 hours per fiscal year.

DEFINITION
To lead and perform a wide variety of technical and clerical library work including cataloging and circulating material for a specific function of the library; to perform technical and clerical work in support of various sections of the library; and to provide general information and assistance to library patrons.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbent will perform the full range of tasks and duties assigned including assisting with programming, acquiring and cataloging library materials, and training staff.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Library Technician series by the performance of a more limited range of complex paraprofessional tasks assigned, such as the variety and complexity of work, extent of program development, evaluation responsibilities, and independence of action.

ABOUT THE BUELLTON LIBRARY
In February 2025, Buellton Library celebrated its grand opening at the newly restored, historic Willemsen property, located at 202 Dairyland Road. This location offers picturesque views of the Santa Ynez Valley, along with expanded resources and materials for the community.  More information about the Buellton Library can be found here: https://www.goletavalleylibrary.org/about/santa-ynez-valley-libraries.

The following duties are typical for positions in this classification.   Incumbents may not perform all listed job functions, nor are all listed duties necessarily performed by everyone in this class depending upon business need and changing business practices:

• Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
• Check out library materials to patrons; check in and prepare materials for return to the circulating collection; register new patrons.
• Respond to patron in-person and telephone requests for library materials, services, and information; provide assistance for general reference queries; assist patrons in completing requests for materials not available in the local collection.
• Participate in the training of staff; answer and resolve public questions; communicate library policies and address incidents as needed.
• Input data into library and computer systems; process new library materials; add or modify entries on item records; search for materials as necessary.
• Engage in financial transactions with patrons, such as facility reservations, payment of fees owed, and donations.
• Perform general clerical work; type a variety of documents; answer phones; enter information into computer; maintain files and records; receive donated materials; process and distribute the mail.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer, telephone system, cash register, copy machine, and other related equipment.
• Assist in monitoring, ordering, and receiving supplies; maintain files of equipment and supplies.
• Participate in the preparation and maintenance of displays and exhibits; assist with seasonal and ongoing programs and activities.
• Assist in preparing and conducting storytimes, outreach, and other youth programming with oversight from the Children’s Librarian and branch supervisor.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Education, Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

• One year of library experience.

• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Basic mathematical principles.

• Learn basic library services and functions.
• Learn library terminology.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:
  • Sitting or standing for extended periods of time 
  • Operating assigned equipment
• Maintain effective audiovisual discrimination and perception needed for:
  • Making observations
  • Communicating with others 
  • Reading and writing
  • Operating assigned equipment

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical and mental demands herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

• Mental function: Includes reading, writing, mathematical computations, operating a computer, problem solving, managing multiple projects, calmly handling complaints and problems from irate citizens or contractors, and decision making under stressful conditions.
• Productivity: Incumbents must perform work in an efficient, effective and timely manner with minimal direction.
• Mobility: Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; requires some bending and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Vision: Vision sufficient to read small print, computer screens, and printed documents, and to operate assigned equipment. 
• Hearing: Incumbents are required to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
• Environment: Library environment; work closely with the public; work with computer and office equipment.
• Other factors: Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Incumbents may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.