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Youth Services Library Assistant, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, MA

Posted December 6, 2016

18 hours per week – initial schedule is: Monday 1:00pm to 7:00pm; Thursday 2 to 7 pm; Friday 8:30am to 5 pm; every third week Friday off and Saturday 8:30 am to 5 pm

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Using basic library techniques and skills under the general supervision of the professional staff, performs circulation, provides outstanding customer service, reader’s advisory and other duties relating to the provision of library service to children, teens, caregivers, and teachers.

  • Assists children, teens and other patrons in finding books and information
  • Answers routine reference questions
  • Provides basic reader’s advisory service
  • Delivers exceptional and engaging customer service to the public
  • With the guidance of professional staff may assist in preparing and conducting children’s programming
  • 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 books and reads shelves as necessary
  • Provides clerical support for Children’s Room
  • Assists in library instruction/orientation for children’s and/or teen groups and individuals
  • May assist in preparing book lists
  • Operates audio/visual equipment in the presentation of library programs
  • May assist 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 Associate Librarian for Main Library Youth Services for the good of the department and the library

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

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 and materials; basic knowledge of library techniques; strong customer service skills; an interest and enthusiasm in working with a diverse population; resourcefulness, tact, patience, initiative, enthusiasm, maturity, communication skills; adaptability and dependability to work well in a team situation and flexibility in emergency staff situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Physically able to operate technical equipment such as computers, scanners, printers, and mobile devices
  • Ability to sit and use computer workstation, including keyboard and visual display terminal, for extended periods of time
  • 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 or computers and computer equipment
  • Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work
  • Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data or things
  • Time management ability to set priorities in order to meet assignment deadlines
  • Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate effectively
  • Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to read books and patron requests, as well as to see what patrons are doing when they are at some distance from the workstation
  • Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to type and enter data
  • Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to re-shelve library materials and work at public service desks

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

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
  • Typical exposure to noise, stress, and interruptions in a lively, urban public library
  • Attends and participates in continuing educational programs designed to keep abreast of changes in profession

RATE: $ 21.76 per hour to $23.42 per hour in five steps

Deadline: 12/19/17

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: 2 copies of both your resume and letter of interest; external applicants submit both your resume and letter of interest by 8pm on the closing date via email to: [email protected] or to Personnel Dept, Room 309, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139. Fax 617-349- 4312.

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