Library Services Generalist (Youth & Teen Services)

Fayetteville Public Library•Fayetteville, AR

2d•$13 - $17•Onsite

About The Position

The Library Services Generalist (Youth & Teen Services) position at Fayetteville Public Library is responsible for providing exemplary customer service, managing library materials, and assisting with programs and outreach. This role involves engaging with patrons, answering inquiries, processing materials, maintaining library spaces, and supporting both circulation and adult/youth services. The position requires a proactive approach to customer needs, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic library environment.

Requirements

High school or GED, plus specialized schooling and/or on-the-job education in a specific skill area (e.g., customer service and clerical).
Minimum age to meet AOSH requirements for working near an automated conveyor and sorting system.
Intermediate computer and software skills, including the ability to learn the library's automation and inventory system.
Basic math skills.
Basic library skills, including the ability to alphabetize by title or author, accurately file, and put materials in alphanumeric order.

Nice To Haves

Multilingual skills are a plus.
Must love working with children (for Youth and Teen Services positions).
Must provide own cell phone for multifactor authentication.

Responsibilities

Proactively greet and establish rapport with patrons, enthusiastically engaging them in conversations about all library materials and services.
Provide exemplary customer service in-person at service desks and throughout the library.
Answer directional and general questions about library programs and services, referring callers and visitors to appropriate staff or service desks.
Communicate effectively with patrons regarding library products, services, policies, and code of conduct.
Blend creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making to enhance the customer experience, de-escalate negative situations, and resolve customer questions and concerns.
Ask open-ended questions to assess customer needs, tailor approaches, and provide recommendations using institutional knowledge.
Connect customers with the right solutions for routine and complex inquiries, including advanced patron record inquiries, research, technical assistance, and readers advisory.
Check out, check in, and renew all materials, including atypical items like electronics and tools, using the integrated library system.
Monitor library spaces for safety, including unattended children, and ensure overall safety of library spaces.
Protect library assets and ensure building security by monitoring security gates, adhering to policies, and following closing procedures.
Maintain customer database with precision and attention to detail, registering customers and updating accounts while ensuring privacy and confidentiality.
Correctly shelve library materials according to the Dewey Decimal system or alphabetically, straighten, maintain, and check item shelf order, and rearrange materials as needed.
Recover and straighten the library during each shift, including gathering items, straightening furniture, disinfecting materials, and performing other housekeeping tasks.
Assist with searching for and locating materials reported as returned or misplaced.
Process items identified for decommissioning.
Display excellent time management, attention to detail, problem-solving, and organizational skills; balance multiple tasks and prioritize work.
Assist with library services, programs (small and large-scale), and outreach opportunities, including program set-up/tear-down, supervising youth programs, greeting, crowd control, and creating craft kits.
Help orient new staff and train staff members as assigned.
Keep abreast of changing technologies and complete assigned trainings.
Conduct special projects as assigned.
Represent department on library committees as requested.
Assume personal responsibility for building maintenance and solving minor issues.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned.
Accurately conduct financial transactions (cash, check, credit/debit card) using an online point-of-sale system.
Notify customers of damage or missing parts, coordinate returns, assess fees, and initiate notifications for overdue items, fees, and requested items.
Locate, process, and shelve item holds for customer pickup, notify customers of held items, and assist them in finding items.
Assist in the execution of the sorting room by operating the automated conveyor with a multi-bin sorting system and supporting computers using established safety procedures.
Unload items from book drops, sorting bins, and other locations; sort and transfer items, load book trucks, and determine shelving priorities.
Check returned materials for missing parts, damage, and needed repairs and route accordingly.
Assist in the development and routine maintenance of departmental displays.
Assist with searching and pulling materials for collection maintenance projects.
Create and update print and web bibliographies to spotlight library collections and assist readers advisory.
Assist with program preparation and clean-up, including room set-up, craft prep, supply gathering, and putting away supplies.
Assist at programs through greeting patrons, crowd control, audience counting, directional assistance, station assistance, staff presence, and clean-up.