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Senior Library Assistant, Boston Public Library, (Boston, MA)

Class Specifications: Includes library assistants working in the branch libraries whose duties involve the following:  greeting and directing patrons, registration of borrowers, charging and discharging of books and other materials, maintaining the book and other materials collections, maintaining/troubleshooting equipment, typing/word processing and filing.

Responsibilities:

Typical Duties:

Under the direction of the Branch Librarian or ranking staff member, and in accordance with standard policies and practices, performs any or all of the following:

  • Greets and directs library patrons in person and over the phone, providing simple direction and information.
  • Gives out and interprets BPL policies and procedures in a professional and courteous manner.
  • Identifies and refers problems to their supervisor.
  • Charges and discharges books and other materials, receives and records fines.
  • Interviews applicants for library cards and verifies identification.
  • Prepares periodicals for circulation and maintains the periodical collection.
  • Books museum passes.
  • Receives and routes requests, including basic interlibrary loan requests, maintains reserve shelf, handles send item list.
  • Receives, sorts, shelves, verifies, delivers, mends, and bar-codes books, and traces records and searches shelves for books not properly accounted for.
  • Assists in maintaining bulletin boards and exhibition cases.
  • Typing/word processing simple forms and records.
  • Compiles basic statistical records.
  • Operates and provides basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, e.g., turning on and off, cleaning, filling with paper, and replacing toner cartridges.
  • Uses and assists patrons in the basic use of a variety of library owned technological equipment, e.g. photocopier, public computer signup systems, audiovisual equipment.
  • Sorts and routes U.S. Mail.
  • Attends training when directed.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

  • Education: High school graduate or GED.
  • Experience: None required.
  • Tact in dealing with people; good oral skills; good judgment and dependability.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with staff; demeanor appropriate to the workplace.
  • Competency in the use of personal computers and Windows software sufficient to meet the tasks of the position.
  • Good judgment, tact in dealing with people, dependability, good attendance, and punctuality record.
  • A typing test will be given – speed: 30 wpm.
  • Haitian Creole and/or Spanish Languages are desirable.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
  • CORI – Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of Boston.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Hours per week:  35