Library Specialist
About The Position
The Library Specialist prioritizes the immediate needs of library users by providing outstanding customer service in person, online, and over the phone. The role assists individuals with information and circulation needs, including finding and circulating print and digital materials, answering information queries, resolving patron account issues, and providing basic technology support. Its primary focus is customer service and supporting the assigned location’s daily operations. The specialist may also support in-branch activities and outreach events in collaboration with the local Librarian. The position reports to and works under the guidance of an Area Manager, Supervising Librarian, or Operations Supervisor. It has no supervisory responsibilities. The role requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends, and includes occasional off-site work in indoor and outdoor settings.
Requirements
- Associate or technical degree and moderate experience working in a library and with the public providing library services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One to two years of customer service experience.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
- Ability to perform normal physical activity, including some bending, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to keyboard and work at a computer monitor for extended periods.
- Ability to use a phone and to read, speak, and listen.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Nice To Haves
- Fluency in English and Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Provide prompt and courteous support to library patrons and members of the public.
- Assist with circulation procedures, including check-in and check-out, library card registration, account resolution, and taking payments for library fees as needed.
- Answer reference questions and provide readers’ advisory services and bibliographic instruction as appropriate; refer complex questions to a Librarian or appropriate staff member.
- Assist patrons with the basic use of library technology, equipment, and resources, including personal devices used to access library resources.
- Pull, sort, and process library materials and supplies; assess materials for weeding; and enter data into the appropriate system as needed.
- Organize, arrange, and shelve library materials.
- Resolve staff and patron incidents, concerns, and conflicts by equitably applying the Code of Conduct Policy, and escalate issues to local leadership as necessary.
- Promote library materials, services, and programs by developing displays and sharing information with customers; request and distribute promotional materials as needed.
- Support in-branch activities and outreach events in collaboration with the local Librarian, as assigned.
- Perform library support services, including opening and closing buildings and helping maintain a neat, clean, and orderly library; occasionally address unexpected messes with janitorial services.
- Reinforce training for new staff and teach specific tasks when requested, emphasizing hands-on learning and practical application.
- Participate in staff meetings, committees, and teams as assigned.
- Perform daily cash handling and register functions.
- Attend assigned training and professional development opportunities.
- Perform seasonal tasks such as shoveling snow and spreading ice melt.
- Perform other duties as assigned, apparent, or required, including work of lower classifications as needed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
