Library Assistant - Town of Middletown, RI : Job Details

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARYPOSITION DESCRIPTION TITLE: Library Assistant DEPARTMENT: Library REPORTS TO: Operations & Public Services Supervisor SUPERVISES: N/A GRADE CLASSIFICATION: Level 2 / Middletown Public Library Employees Association / NEARI WORK SCHEDULE: Part time 25 hours per week - 5 days a week, including a mix of opening and closing shifts, as well as every other Friday and every other Saturday schedule on an A/B week rotation, unless agreed otherwise. If/when the library is open on Sundays, the schedule will include one Sunday a month SALARY: In accordance with established pay scale - $19 an hour to start, including paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and the opportunity to buy into municipal medical plan at full cost to the employee. POSITION SUMMARY: The Library Assistant performs a variety of clerical, circulation, and customer service duties at the public service desks. This position is responsible for helping patrons access library materials, maintaining accurate records, and supporting daily library operations. Under the supervision of the Operations & Public Services Supervisor, Library Assistants ensure a welcoming, efficient, and organized environment for all visitors. I. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Provide excellent front-line customer service at service desks.

Check materials in and out and prepare items for re-shelving. Sort and shelve books and other materials according to established systems. Collect and record fines, fees, and other payments.

Register new patrons, issue library cards, and maintain patron records. Assist patrons with library accounts, holds, renewals, and questions about services.

Unpack/pack delivery bins, sort incoming mail and deliveries, and pull items for internal and external holds.

Assist with basic reader's advisory and direct more complex questions to staff at higher levels.

Assist patrons with public computers, printing, devices, and library digital resources. Direct more complex questions to staff at higher levels.

Answer and route telephone calls and respond to general inquiries. Regularly check general staff email to ensure patrons receive prompt replies. Check work email each shift. Complete monthly cybersecurity training.

Support special projects and library programs as assigned.

Contribute to keeping the library clean, organized, and inviting.

Assist with creating displays and visual elements that promote library collections and services.

Participate in library wide initiatives and promotional efforts, such as contributing to social media, newsletter content, or marketing campaigns as needed.

Assist with various tasks related to ordering, receiving, processing, repairing, relabeling, weeding, discarding, moving, rearranging, shelf reading, and collection management under librarian supervision.

Attend appropriate meetings and training as assigned.

Work cooperatively with all staff; help to provide feedback on library services, recommend policy changes, and develop solutions to problems.

Perform other related job duties as assigned, including but not limited to other duties at lower grade levels.

II. NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Strong customer service and interpersonal skills

Familiarity with computers, office equipment, and library technology

Accuracy and attention to detail in handling transactions and records

Ability to follow procedures and work independently as well as part of a team

Willingness to learn new systems and procedures

Strong initiative, flexibility, and a collaborative mindset

Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

Ability to work with a diverse public and promote a welcoming, inclusive environment

Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with staff, patrons, and community partners

III. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

High School diploma or equivalent required, with at least one year of college and/or library experience preferred

At least one year of customer service experience required

Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors, customers, Town officials, and the general public

Must have the ability to work well with people of all ages, abilities, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, with an aptness to relate successfully with people of all backgrounds

Must possess/project a welcoming demeanor, positive attitude, patience, and a professional appearance

Must demonstrate exemplary customer service skills

Be self-directed, flexible, motivated, able to prioritize tasks, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail

Must possess strong computer and technology skills as applicable in the library environment

Must successfully complete a background check.

IV. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interaction with the public, Town employees, and library vendors.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting, to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to verbally communicate and exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal vision range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

V. EQUIPMENT: Equipment used includes but is not limited to the following: Computer and peripheral devices, calculator, copy machine, digital camera, telephone, telephone/computer headset, postage machine, smart TV, e-readers, tablets, projectors, other items as may be traditionally found in a public library, and any non-traditional items found in a library of Things or library makerspace. Pay Range: $19 per hour