Library Assistant

City Of Sterling•Sterling, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Library Assistant performs general library services for customers and provides information and reference assistance, including showing patrons how to access information through books, computers, media services, tablets, smartphones, and outreach programs. Under general supervision of the Library Superintendent or Library Associate, the position works in accordance with City of Sterling policies, procedures, and quality standards. The role includes customer-facing circulation and children’s desk work, materials processing, clerical duties, technology assistance, and support for library programs and interlibrary loans. The employee may supervise volunteers and community service workers and may perform other duties as assigned. This is a 20-hour-per-week position requiring open, flexible availability across morning, afternoon, and evening shifts. The employee must be available for at least one evening shift each week and approximately every third week for two evening shifts. Weekend rotation is approximately every third weekend and includes Saturday and Sunday hours. Depending on the rotation and library needs, the schedule may include up to seven consecutive workdays. The library operates seven days a week. The position involves routine physical activity, including shelving and moving materials, handling objects, and working with computer and office equipment. Work takes place in surroundings where temperature, contaminants, and noise are not normally encountered and hazards are minor and controllable. The City offers paid time off, access to an Employee Assistance Program, and eligibility for additional benefits.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of experience in public-contact work; library experience is preferred.
Open and flexible availability across the listed shifts, including evenings and weekends, with the ability to work a rotating schedule and occasional consecutive workdays, potentially up to seven days in a row.
Ability to meet the position’s scheduling requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Possess and maintain the appropriate Colorado operator’s license for any City-owned vehicle operated as part of employment.

Nice To Haves

Public-contact experience in a library setting.
Knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System or a rudimentary numbering system and online computer-system interfaces.
Knowledge of routine software and business applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.
Knowledge of reference materials and resources, library operations, children’s and adult programming, and reader-interest levels.
Knowledge of general office procedures, library methods, phone systems, computers, electronic data processing, library networking, cash register operation, and computerized library systems.
Ability to operate relevant computer systems, software, office machines, and equipment associated with library work.
Ability to organize daily work, process library materials and records, maintain cash drawers and filing systems, conduct research, and communicate professionally with the public.

Responsibilities

Staff the circulation and children’s desk; help patrons locate books and other materials and answer directional and search questions.
Assist with library programs.
Shelve books and materials; process and card books and prepare materials for circulation.
Maintain a pleasant and productive working atmosphere.
Perform routine clerical work and answer the telephone.
Take interlibrary loan requests and assist with ordering, processing, and returning interlibrary loans.
Handle cash, checks, and other payments; accurately account for transactions and make correct change.
Learn reference resources, including electronic resources, and library techniques relevant to assigned activities.
Assist patrons with computer use and access to digital materials.
Follow library policies, procedures, and applicable safety rules and regulations.
Provide courteous, fair, and high-quality customer service to library patrons.
Work and communicate effectively with diverse staff to accomplish library goals and objectives.
Maintain the confidentiality of data and information.
May supervise volunteers and community service workers.
Perform other related functions as assigned, delegated, or required by the Library Superintendent or Library Associate.