SLIS Jobline Your Source for Professional, Pre-Professional, and Internship Positions

18 hour Library Assistant, Main Library Children’s Room, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge MA

Posted March 25, 2014

Cambridge Public Library

18 hour Library Assistant/Main Library Children’s Room

 #L414-710

 

18 hours per week  – initial schedule is Monday 1:30 to 7 pm; Thursday 2 to 7 pm; Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm; every third week Friday off and Saturday 8:30 am to 5 pm

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS:           

High school diploma or high school equivalency required.  Experience working with children and/or teens in a group setting is desirable.  Coursework in children’s literature and/or child psychology plus prior library experience are desirable.  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college is preferred.  Requires working knowledge of children’s and teen literature, materials, and programming; basic knowledge of library techniques; good organization and planning skills so that programs will be appropriate for age level and capabilities of target audience; resourcefulness, tact, patience, initiative, enthusiasm, maturity, communication skills; adaptability and dependability to work well in a team situation and flexibility in emergency staff situations.

 

DUTIES:

  • Assists children, teens and other patrons in finding books and information; answers routine reference questions; provides basic reader’s advisory service
  • With guidance of professional staff, plans and conducts story hours, book talks, and other children’s programming (for example:  files, crafts, puppets)
  • Performs functions related to circulation control, including issuing new library cards, placing holds, check-ins, checkouts, inquiries, renewals, and data entry
  • Makes some suggestions for the selection of children’s materials based on patron requests, personal knowledge and/or review tools
  • Maintains orderliness and neatness in the children’s and teen areas; shelves materials and reads shelves
  • Provides clerical support for the Children’s Room

·         Assisting in library instruction/orientation for children’s and/or teen groups and individuals

·         Preparing book lists

·         Operating audio/visual equipment in the presentation of library programs

·         Assisting in processing new books

·         May attend system-wide meetings of children’s librarians for in-service training and/or to plan and implement system-wide programs

  • Any other duties required by the Manager of Youth Services for the good of the department and the library

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to person essential functions.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including office equipment such as computers, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, CD/DVD players
  • Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time to use computer workstations, including keyboard and visual display terminal
  • Strength to push or pull a loaded book cart which can weigh in excess of 100 pounds on level floor and up ramp, to lift or maneuver onto cart loads of up to 50 pounds, and to carry cartons of books
  • Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work
  • Time management ability to set priorities in order to meet assignment deadlines
  • Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities to permit effective communication
  • Sufficient vision or other powers of observation to permit employee to read books and patron requests
  • Sufficient manual dexterity to permit the employee to type and record library files
  • Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to permit the employee to re-shelve library materials and work at public service desks

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:   

  • Primarily assigned to the Main Library Children’s Room; also works as needed in the Teen Room
  • Works in assigned areas, including office areas, training rooms, various library locations, as necessary
  • Normal office exposure to noise, stress, and interruptions
  • Attends and participates in continuing educational programs designed to keep abreast of changes in profession

 

SALARY:                    $ 18.96 per hour to $20.42 per hour in five steps

 

DEADLINE:             April 15, 2014 by 5:00pm 

 

APPLY TO:              

City of Cambridge

Personnel Department, Room 309

795 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02139

Please send 2 copies each of cover letter & resume

Fax: 617-349-4312

[email protected]