Collections Assistant

PCPLS•Valparaiso, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Collections Assistant supports the life cycle of the library’s physical and digital materials, including intake, record management, and processing of new items. The role currently includes copy-cataloging, while the library explores streamlined cataloging partnerships. The position is designed to be flexible, with broader collection maintenance duties—such as deselection and weeding, inventory integrity, and visual merchandising—as needs evolve. This is a full-time, non-exempt position working under the direction of the Collections Coordinator. It typically involves Monday through Friday daytime hours, with occasional evening or weekend flexibility as needed. Work is performed onsite at branch locations as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to work with people of all ages.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong attention to detail.
Willingness and ability to learn computer skills, applications, and devices relevant to the position.
Ability to lift and move up to 20 pounds and push or pull at least 100 pounds on wheels.
Ability to perform extensive bending, stooping, pulling, reaching, kneeling, and crouching.
Ability to stand on a stool to shelve books overhead.
Ability to communicate effectively and operate technology equipment.
Manual dexterity to handle books, paper, and technology.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks and tolerate exposure to dust, dirt, adhesives, toner, and chemicals.
Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends.
Knowledge of current cataloging standards.

Responsibilities

Greet patrons as they arrive and depart from the library.
Assist patrons and answer general questions professionally.
Help maintain discipline, good order, and the physical security of the library and its equipment.
Perform basic custodial maintenance of facilities and grounds as necessary.
Manage the inventory, stock, and organization of equipment and supplies.
Carry out administrative tasks such as filing, typing, copying, scanning, and sorting.
Learn and use software and technology to perform position functions.
Perform collection maintenance, including shelving, shifting, shelf reading, and merchandising.
Use the integrated library system (ILS) for patron-facing and circulation functions.
Help patrons locate materials, use library technology services, and obtain information.
Promote library services through assigned channels while observing brand and style guidelines.
Preserve the integrity and quality of ILS records.
Process and distribute local and external physical materials accurately and promptly.
Weed and discard materials; clean, maintain, reprocess, and mend library materials.
Receive purchase orders, update acquisition records, and handle related paperwork.
Maintain or manipulate patron, item, acquisition, and bibliographic records under supervision as applicable.
Order physical and electronic materials through established acquisition channels.
Process and respond to patron material requests.
Invoice and manipulate acquisition records.
Receive periodicals and maintain prediction and holdings records.
Resolve submitted or escalated support requests and information-services queries.
Liaise with vendors, partners, and third parties as directed or assigned by a supervisor.
Perform basic administration, configuration, and troubleshooting of the ILS and connected technologies.
Set up and manage periodical prediction patterns.
Run basic or pre-configured reports in the ILS and related library software.
Perform copy or original cataloging of popular physical book, audio, and video formats.