Library Associate

KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY•Kansas City, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Plaza Senior Branch Manager, the Library Associate provides reference, information, readers’ advisory, community referral, interlibrary loan (ILL), circulation, registration, and other basic library services to customers in person and by telephone. The associate participates in collection development and maintenance and may maintain branch operations when the Senior Branch Manager and Customer Services Manager are absent. The position is scheduled for 24 hours per week at the Plaza Branch in Kansas City, Missouri, at $20.28 per hour. The Plaza Branch also provides voter registration assistance and notary services to library patrons. Work is performed in a shared workspace with coworkers and patrons from a diverse socioeconomic community. Duties may change, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential job functions, absent undue hardship.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated ability to serve the public effectively, working with customers of all ages.
Demonstrated ability to work as a team player.
Ability to learn library operations, services, policies, and computer procedures.
Use decision-making skills that reflect values-based principles.
Ability to access materials on shelves above or below waist level and work at a customer-service counter.
Ability to organize daily work routines effectively for the location.
Ability to perform duties involving standing and bending and lift up to 35 pounds.
Basic computer skills and willingness to learn and keep current with emerging technologies.
Ability to follow oral and/or written instructions.
Ability to effectively communicate in and understand English.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of library or customer service experience is preferred.
Proficiency in non-English languages used in the Kansas City area, including American Sign Language, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, or Swahili, may receive additional consideration.

Responsibilities

Provide reference, information, readers’ advisory, community referral, and ILL services; use online databases within specified guidelines and refer more complex requests to a librarian.
Instruct patrons in the use of library resources, including computer equipment; recommend and retrieve materials in response to customer requests.
Provide information about community services and events, and promote and accept requests for materials in circulation or elsewhere in the library system.
Provide circulation and registration services, including checking materials in and out, issuing library cards, collecting fines and deposits, clearing customer records, explaining policies and procedures, making computer customer inquiries, and checking shelves for overdue materials.
Enter customer information, process reserve requests, resolve discrepancies, and address circulation or registration complaints and staff problems, referring unresolved issues to the Branch Manager.
Maintain adequate staffing, ensure services are provided, and resolve problems in the absence of the Senior Branch Manager and Customer Services Manager.
Maintain courteous, effective working relationships with library customers and staff.
Assist with collection maintenance.
Assist with maintenance of computers, fax equipment, and copiers; refer unresolved equipment problems to the Information Services department.
Answer telephone calls courteously, identify self and location, and provide assistance or direct calls to the appropriate person.
Provide voter registration assistance and notary services at the Plaza Branch.
Perform other related work and special projects as assigned.