Library Assistant, Boylston Public Library, Boylston, MA

Posted March 20, 2023

Job Description

The Boylston Public Library is looking for an energetic library assistant with excellent customer service skills to join our team. Boylston is a small but active library, and the ability to multi-task is a must. Shifts are Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday evenings (some flexibility), and every other Saturday from 9:30am-5pm; 24.5 hours total for every two-week period. The salary is $17.24/hour

Supervision Received: Employee works under general direction. Prioritizing of tasks is done under direction of the supervisor but work is done independently. Employee is expected to solve problems interpedently, using their best interpretation of library policy. Unique circumstances, policy problems, or procedural issues are discussed with the Library Director.

Judgement: The work is well defined or has detailed rules, instructions and procedures. Judgement involves choosing the appropriate practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines to apply in each case. Employee is often in the building without a supervisor. Many situations that arise in a typical day may fall outside of written policy and in some cases may require additional interpretation. Judgement is needed to select, interpret, and apply policies in order to resolve issue. In some cases, employee may need to refer patrons to the Assistant Director or Director for more assistance.

Complexity: The work primarily consists of routine tasks with well-defined procedures. Nature of work and procedures followed varies according to the nature of the transaction and/or the information involved, or sought, in a particular situation.

Nature and Purpose of Contacts: Relationships are primarily with co-workers, vendors and the public of all ages, involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines in order to render service, plan or coordinate work efforts, or resolve operating problems. More than ordinary courtesy, tact and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints or deal with hostile, uncooperative or uninformed persons.

Work Environment: Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, libraries or meeting and training rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire and building safety regulations. Required to work evenings and weekends.

Confidentiality: Employee has access to sensitive information in the performance of their duties, including personal information for patrons throughout the library’s extended network.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.

Assists library patrons in finding materials and checking out items.
Participates in work at the circulation desk(s) such as processing interlibrary loans, and reserving books in accordance with department guidelines.
Answers telephone, processes fees for replacement costs of items, issues and updates library cards.
Orients patrons to the library by informing them of services available and the location of materials, by recommending materials and by explaining use of the public access catalog.
Maintains knowledge of library events and programs.
Provides reference services, assists in locating reference sources and instructs in their use (including online databases and other resources).
Provides reader’s advisory services.
Troubleshoots and instructs patrons on use of library technology and equipment.
Operates and maintains audiovisual equipment.
Processes new materials and catalogs them into the library database.
Processes returns, sorts, and shelves materials appropriately.
Assists with special projects such as inventory, re-cataloging, and weeding under the direction of the Assistant Director or Children’s Librarian.
Performs related duties as required.

Education and Experience

High school diploma and equivalent and one year of college. Must have an interest in library services. Must have at least two years of customer service experience, preferably in a library setting. Applicants must have sufficient experience with technology to be comfortable using and explaining a variety of electronics, basic computer applications, and library databases.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

Considerable ability to accurately perform data entry work on a computer workstation
Possesses good interpersonal skills and ability to maintain and foster cooperative and courteous working relationships with the public, peer and supervisors
Skill in the use of computers, e-readers and tablets, standard office machines, internet, and basic computer applications. Must be familiar with Apple and Microsoft products, including Microsoft Office applications
Ability to perform simple database searches
Positive attitude toward public service work
Highly motivated and able to work independently
Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
Ability to handle simple monetary transactions
Ability to complete routine tasks assigned
Ability to understand and make decisions in accordance with library policy and procedure

Physical, Motor, and Visual Skills

The work involves sitting, standing, walking, and stooping. May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job requires moving objects, shelving and pulling materials from shelves, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment. Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding an analytical purposes, reading small writing on book spines, and reading computer screens.

How to Apply

To apply, send cover letter and resume including three (3) references to Library Director Erica Hout, [email protected].