Part-time Library Associate - Reader's Services

Compensation Range

$19.90 - $25.50

Please note: This job opening may close earlier than the stated date, due to high candidate volume. If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Who We Are:

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries. 
  
We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world! 

Our Core Values:

• Integrity: Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs.

• Responsibility: A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.

• Partnership: Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships.

What We Offer:
The City of High Point offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefit package for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans

• PTO earned within first year

• 12 Paid Holidays per year

• Tuition Reimbursement Plan

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one

What You'll Do:

NOTE: Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume with their application.

The Library Associate (PT) performs highly responsible paraprofessional and basic professional work providing readers’ advisory reference service for adult and young adult fiction, non-print, and electronic resources; does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a professional Librarian.

Essential Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Provides readers with advisory and reference services by interacting with customers about bestselling, popular, and literary materials; answers questions about print and non-print resources by phone or in person using online and print reference tools.
• Instructs customers in the use of the online catalog and self-checkout stations.
• Assists customers in accessing materials, recommends additional selections, and retrieves requested items for reserve.
• Reviews new materials and Readers’ Advisory resources to provide accurate and knowledgeable assistance.
• Designs and prepares displays to market print and non-print items.
• Explains library policies and procedures to help customers successfully use resources.
• Participates in community projects that promote reading and literacy within the community.
• Communicates effectively with all patrons.
• Manages the paperback collection for the library, including reviewing and purchasing new titles, and periodically reviewing titles to be considered for removal based on condition, etc.
• Forms partnerships with organizations to support library programs.
• Participate in the planning, marketing, and implementation of library programs and events, based on the goals for the Readers’ Services Division
• Represents the library at City and community events, including presenting library programs and services.
• Makes recommendations for titles to be added to both the print and non-print collections.
• Uses mobile electronic devices to download materials and to access information.
• Participates in training customers to use and download materials to digital devices.
• Uses digital technology and social media for customer instruction and marketing.
• Uses computer software to construct and maintain databases, create flyers, and bookmarks used in programming.
• Prepares written reports, press releases, and marketing materials for the division’s services and programs.
• Interacts with and supports other divisions in achieving the library’s goal of providing good customer service.
• Supports the services and programming of the division, which may include services and programming for Teens, Seniors, Special Populations, or the public.
• Resolves customer complaints and contacts customers about problems with returned materials.
• Keeps computer records and statistics using Excel or other internal methods.
• Prepares reports, correspondence, and newsletters as directed by the Supervisor.
• Ensures that all work is performed in accordance with OSHA and City safety standards and policies.

Qualifications:

NOTE: Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume with their application.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Formal education: Bachelor’s degree required. Liberal arts preferred.
• Recent (within the last three years) at least six (6) months of direct customer service experience in retail, library, or a service industry.
• Applicants must have experience using Canva (or an equivalent graphic design program) to prepare professional materials for public use.
• Must upload a Cover Letter and Resume with Application.
• Must have good listening skills and the ability to work with a diverse population.
• Applicant must have a strong commitment to providing good customer service.
• Must have the ability to participate effectively in a team atmosphere and be adaptable and flexible in learning and changing as the services of the library change.
• Applicant must possess extensive knowledge of current genre fiction, be an avid reader of popular fiction, and must be able to converse with customers about books and movies.
• Must be comfortable speaking in front of people and preparing presentations, which may include curriculum and basic lesson plans.
• Must be comfortable leading programs and instructional sessions in person or off-site as necessary.
• Must be able to learn and teach the use of electronic library resources and use our computerized circulation system.
• Must be comfortable instructing individuals in the correct way to download an app, set up an account, and download a book or music to a tablet or smartphone.
• Applicants should be experienced users of social media (X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads) and other forms of digital technology, such as online databases and streaming services.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to work one night a week (pre-determined) and a rotating weekend schedule (approximately every eight weeks).
• Must be able to relate to and communicate effectively with the public, other employees, and supervisors to maintain a positive customer service and work environment.
• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.
• Must have a valid, appropriate driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina.
• On-the-job training: approximately six weeks.

Physical Requirements

Hearing/Speaking

• Expressing and receiving information in person and by phone is essential due to regular public and co-worker contact.

Visual Abilities

• Acuity, far – clarity at 20 feet or more (20/25 both eyes; R 20/30, L 20/30 corrected).
• Acuity, near–clarity at 20 inches or less (20/25 both eyes corrected).
• Depth perception – three-dimensional vision to judge distance and space (rated 4).
• Field of vision – ability to see up/down and side-to-side while fixed on a point.
• Accommodation – ability to adjust focus for near-point work and multiple simultaneous tasks.

Physical Strength

• Light work: exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently, and negligible force constantly to carry/move books and materials.
• Work requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, pushing carts, and climbing. Occasional sitting.
• Must be able to climb small ladders to set up displays.

Type of Physical Demands

• Reaching: extending hands/arms in any direction.
• Handling: seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or working with hands.
• Fingering: working with fingers to handle books, materials, cards, forms, files, pens, pencils, etc.

Mental Activity/Requirements

• Reasoning: Apply logical thinking to tasks, interpret information, respond to varied situations, and exercise good judgment with customers.
• Mathematics: Use arithmetic to locate materials, record statistics, and prepare reports.
• Language Ability:
  • Read: for enjoyment, knowledge of authors/titles, and job-related documents.
  • Write: prepare reports, guides, flyers, posters, and other documents with correct grammar.
  • Speak: converse pleasantly with the public and staff in person and by phone.

Environmental Conditions

• Physical Surroundings: Work performed inside; protected from weather but not temperature changes.
• Hazards: None indicated.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment

• Computer, DVD player, disc cleaning machine, telephone, pens, pencils, receipts, stapler, shredder, paper cutter, shelving, and inventory supplies.

The work location of this job will be 901 N Main St High Point, North Carolina.

Our Commitments
The City of High Point is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values individuals from all backgrounds and seeks to attract and retain the most qualified partners in service to the citizens of High Point. As an at-will employer, the City allows employees to terminate their employment, or be terminated at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not prohibited by law.