Library Associate (Children's Library) - Promotional Opportunity

The Palo Alto City Library is hiring for a Library Associate for our Children’s Library. Working with the branch supervising librarian, this position will provide lead operational and customer service duties for the Children’s Library. This position will also coordinate with other members of our library system’s lead circulation and daily operations staff to maintain best practices in customer service and circulation operations. Ideal candidates have experience in library operations and customer service, are passionate about providing quality experiences to our library users and thrive in collaborative environments.  

If you are an experienced Palo Alto City Library paraprofessional who is dedicated to high-quality public service for youth and families, and if you are interested in working at the first stand-alone Children’s Library in the country, you are encouraged to apply!

Benefits: Fantastic benefits package! To learn more, click here.

Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, click here.

This position is part of the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU)

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

When working in Public Service:

• Performs circulation tasks required to serve the public, including the following: checks materials out and in; registers and updates files of borrowers; checks status of patron accounts using the Library's automated system; accepts payments for fines, bills and fees; tabulates and records daily cash register receipts; works to resolve patron complaints
• Provides reader's advisory service to assist users in identifying library materials of interest; assists the public in use of a variety of library equipment
• Provides basic reference service using the resources available in the Neighborhood Library and providing referral of patrons to the Resource Libraries as appropriate
• Recommends additions to the collection of books and media in the Neighborhood Libraries; may select and deselect materials in an assigned area
• Prepares, displays and marketing presentations of library materials
• Shelves library materials and maintains the general order and attractiveness of the library facilities
• Provides direct daily guidance to other staff in the Neighborhood Lirary by allocating assignments and scheduling staff
• Troubleshoots minor equipment problems; reports major equipment problems and follows through to ensure equipment functionality
• Monitors condition of and reports problems with the physical facility
• Uses library technology to provide patron services, to monitor use statistics and to develop information for supervisors and managers

When working in Technical Services:

• Maintains computer files for all types of library materials in the library computer systems: adds, deletes, or corrects bibliographic and inventory information and troubleshoots as required
• Enters bibliographic data into online systems using library standards for identification and description of items
• Initiates orders and payments.  Communicates both orally and in writing with vendors to execute work, solve problems and/or questions.  Refers further communication to supervisor as appropriate
• Receives requests for book or other media from library staff, searches available bibliographic sources to verify publication data; searches library files to prevent duplication of acquisitions
• Creates and produces various reports, documents and correspondence
• Establishes and maintains complex recordkeeping system for control of all library materials, contracts and purchases, identifying accounts, subprograms, fund encumbrances; establishes and monitors payments schedules, applies direct charges, discounts, and indirect cost factors; verifies and approves classifcation of charges and credits
• Maintains up-to-date acquisition files for staff use including creation of new records in the library computer system on orders, cancellations, back orders, and tracking for high demand titles
• Assists in the preparation and issuance of comprehensive bid proposal documents

To view the full job description, click here.  

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• High school graduate and two years of college or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Six semester hours of library science courses relevant to particular position available.
• Two years relevant experience in a library.

The Selection Process: 

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email (governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates). 

• The screening process for this position may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.