Library Specialist I (LaPorte Branch Library)

Harris County•La Porte, TX

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Library Specialist I provides frontline customer service and entry-level specialized support for daily operations at the LaPorte Branch Library. The role assists patrons with library cards and accounts, circulation, readers’ advisory, basic reference and research, digital resources, and technology or lab activities. It also processes and maintains library materials and plans, delivers, and promotes programs for patrons of all ages. Other work includes collection support, community outreach, branch opening and closing activities, facility readiness, and maintaining accurate service records while protecting patron confidentiality. The position helps ensure welcoming, safe, organized, and inclusive access to information, technology, and learning resources. Work is primarily performed in a public library environment with regular interaction with patrons and employees, frequent movement throughout the branch, and extended computer use. The schedule is generally Monday through Saturday and may include rotating daytime, evening, and weekend shifts. Occasional travel to other library locations and off-site meetings, training, outreach activities, programs, and community events may be required. Some assignments may be outdoors, with exposure to inclement weather and varying temperatures. The position is part-time, 20 hours per week, and pays $20 per hour, paid biweekly. The position reports to a Library Manager I, II, or III and supervises no positions.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and program-experience pathways: a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one year of paid or volunteer experience planning, delivering, facilitating, or supporting programs or activities for children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or community groups; an associate degree in any field or 60 hours of secondary education credits from an accredited college or university and three years of such program experience; or a high school diploma or GED and five years of such program experience.
At least one year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers, clients, students, visitors, or members of the public, required under each education and experience pathway.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Proficiency with social media, the internet, and Office 365.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment.
Ability to work well with the public and staff members.
Ability to exercise initiative and act with discretion.
Available and reliable transportation for work-related duties.
Use a personal mobile device for the multifactor authentication process.
Submit unofficial transcripts with the application; qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on the application.
Ability to sit for extended periods and perform light physical activity, including walking, standing, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying; ability to lift, carry, and exert up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a public, school, or academic library; government agency; nonprofit organization; or related public-service environment.
Experience serving diverse age groups through customer service, programming, outreach, learning activities, or digital-literacy assistance.
Experience using an integrated library system for circulation, patron accounts, materials processing, or shelving.
Experience providing readers’ advisory or basic reference and research assistance, and supporting collection displays, inventory, weeding, or selection activities.
Experience using Microsoft 365, social media, digital devices, makerspace or lab equipment, and online communication or promotional tools.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Provide courteous, responsive, and inclusive frontline service in person, by telephone, and through approved electronic channels; identify patron needs and direct patrons to appropriate services or staff.
Register patrons for library cards; maintain accounts; process checkouts, returns, holds, renewals, notices, fees, and assigned payments; and keep accurate transaction records.
Protect the confidentiality of patron registration, account, circulation, reference, technology-use, and other service information in accordance with law and library policy.
Provide readers’ advisory and basic reference and research assistance using library and other credible information resources; refer advanced, sensitive, or specialized requests to professional staff.
Assist patrons with public computers, printers, scanners, copiers, wireless access, e-books, databases, mobile devices, digital resources, and approved makerspace or lab equipment; provide basic digital-literacy instruction and troubleshoot routine issues.
Plan, prepare, deliver, and promote assigned educational, cultural, literacy, technology, and enrichment programs for community members of all ages; coordinate logistics and record attendance and feedback.
Support community outreach by promoting library services, participating in approved off-site activities, and maintaining cooperative relationships with community partners.
Recommend materials based on customer requests and community interests; shelve and shelf-read materials; maintain displays; and assist with inventory, missing-item searches, weeding, and collection projects.
Process and route library materials, including returns, holds, transfers, deliveries, and items requiring repair, review, or special handling.
Support branch operations, including opening and closing procedures, service-desk coverage, room and equipment readiness, public-area organization, signage, supplies, and operational checklists.
Explain and apply library policies, procedures, service standards, and customer-conduct expectations; resolve routine concerns within assigned authority and refer complex matters to designated staff or management.
Promote a safe and welcoming environment, follow emergency and incident procedures, document significant events as directed, and report safety, security, accessibility, maintenance, or facility concerns.
Maintain accurate program, outreach, circulation, collection, equipment, inventory, payment, and service records and provide data or reports as needed.
Collaborate with branch employees, volunteers, and community partners; participate in meetings, training, committees, workgroups, activities, and professional-development opportunities.
Use approved communication and promotional tools, including email, calendars, flyers, web content, and social media, to share accurate information in accordance with guidelines.
Perform routine administrative and operational tasks, such as preparing forms and correspondence, maintaining schedules and files, monitoring supplies, and assisting with special projects.
Perform other related duties as assigned.