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Library Technician I - Collections and Access - 40 Hours

King County Library System
6 days ago
Full-time
On-site
Issaquah, Washington, United States
$23.70 - $28.83 USD hourly

General Position Summary

The Library Technician I provides day-to-day operational support for the acquisition, cataloging, and processing of library materials. This role focuses on clerical and routine tasks related to maintaining the library’s collections and ensuring that materials are accessible to patrons. The incumbent performs data entry and material processing, while learning and applying established procedures and tools.


About the Opportunity:

The LT1 focuses on clerical and routine tasks related to maintaining the library’s collections and ensuring that materials are accessible to patrons. The incumbent performs data entry and material processing, while learning and applying established procedures and tools.

The LT1 is responsible for maintaining and circulating library materials, including researching patron-requested titles, assisting with shelving and retrieving items, checking in holds and other materials, and updating or maintaining information in collections and circulation databases. LT1s operate a range of equipment such as spine-label printers, scanners, RFID tag pads, electric cutters for repairing damaged materials, Photoshop Elements, and various printers. 

The ideal candidate for this role is detail-oriented, flexible, and demonstrates a strong customer service mindset.

Required: Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which provides relevant work experience, education, and training as it relates to this position.

About King County Library System (KCLS):
KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.

Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.

From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language.

The King County Library System values the diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures of all qualified individuals. We seek applicants that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, etc.

KCLS welcomes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities as an opportunity to assist qualified individuals to participate in the job application or interview process and/or perform the essential functions of the position upon hire. 

Need an accommodation to apply or interview? Call (425) 369-3224 or email employment@kcls.org.
 
KCLS ensures equal opportunities and consideration for all job applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. KCLS does not tolerate discrimination or harassment during any stage of employment, including in recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, or training.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties

The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.
  • Prepares print and non-print library materials for processing or circulation. Applies barcode and call number labels to items in the database according to established standards. 
  • Updates and maintains information in collections and circulation databases to ensure accuracy using predefined or template records. Adds, updates, and deletes holdings information and assigns new library materials to the owning location.
  • Checks in new materials and packs outgoing shipments of library materials.
  • Processes patron requests. Searches for requested titles, places holds for patrons, and notifies patrons of status of request.
  • Assists with shelving, retrieving, and check-in of holds and other library materials.
  • Identifies and reports needs for maintenance of equipment and work areas.
  • Prepares documents and reports, including monthly statistics.
  • Fulfills orders from community libraries for centrally stored supplies. 
  • Evaluates and mends library materials and prepares them for bindery.
  • Performs clerical tasks such as filing, processing mail, and maintaining supply inventories.
Secondary Duties
  1. Assists others with office equipment and self check-out machines.
  2. Participates in vendor selection.
  3. Provides back-up to others within the department.
  4. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Core Competencies
Each KCLS position has job-specific competencies. These competencies describe characteristics needed for optimum performance in the position. In addition, there are organizational competencies applicable to all positions at KCLS that encompass the culture and set expectations for how work is performed.

Organizational Competencies
  • Valuing Diversity
Manages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably. Respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn about differences.
  • Customer Focus
Primarily focused on customer needs. Able to deliver high-quality, value-added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.
  • Ethics, Values and Judgement
Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct. Consistently demonstrates organization’s values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character, and action. Defends intellectual freedom and confidentiality.
  • Professional and Technical Knowledge
Demonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills and/or knowledge in position-related areas. Purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to better foster personal success and connections for others.

Job-Specific Competencies
  • Organizing and Planning
Establishes courses of action for self. Can influence others to ensure that work is efficient. Appropriately sensitive to real restraints on time and resources. Willing to take a risk.
  • Work Quality
Inspires and strives for excellence in all aspects of work including setting high standards of performance for self and others. Ensures that results are complete and accurate. Exhibits attention to detail.
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
Works cooperatively and productively with others to achieve goals and deliverables. Is aware of, utilizes and celebrate their own and team member’s strengths and differences.




Desired Minimum Qualification

Education and Experience

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent.
  • One year of library-related experience or coursework preferred.
  • Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.
Knowledge and Skills
  • Familiarity of library systems and cataloging standards (e.g., MARC).
  • Working knowledge of library and office software programs and database systems (e.g., Microsoft Office, collections/circulation software).
  • Model for customer service mindset and delivery.
  • Responsive to demands in a proactive and effective manner.
  • Flexible in an environment with many interruptions.
  • Attentive to detail and accuracy of tasks at high volume within identified time parameters.
Professional Licenses and Certifications
  • None.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will:

  • Seldom sit throughout work shift and frequently will stand and walk.
  • Frequently reach out at chest level and down with hands and arms and occasionally reach up.
  • Constantly use hands in conjunction with frequent finger use. Keyboarding may be repetitive up to occasionally.
  • Rotate neck up to occasionally.
  • Seldom operate foot controls.
  • Require extensive close work, including use of a computer monitor.
  • Frequently bend, stoop, or twist at waist and occasionally squat or crouch.
  • Frequently lift and carry up to 20 lbs., occasionally up to 35 lbs., and seldom up to 50 lbs. with the assistance of motorized equipment.
  • Frequently push or pull carts and wheeled equipment with up to moderate force.
 
Work Environment
Work is performed in a typical office environment and in the library or a shipping area depending on work tasks. Work may occasionally be near moving mechanical parts or high-speed automated systems.