Part-Time Library Assistant - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts : Job Details

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students. As a 2025 Top Ten Public College, classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. Nearly 93% of our graduates land competitive jobs or are accepted by some of the best grad schools in the country. We engage in the most nationally relevant conversations by hosting some of the most celebrated thinkers and speakers on our campus in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, an area known for its mountain ranges, hiking trails, and panoramic views. Our hometown of North Adams is brimming with creative energy and the regional economy is booming as a result. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate you as an individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make your impression on the world. Job Description: General Description: The Part-Time Library Assistant plays an important role at MCLA by providing access to library services, collections, and facilities on a diverse, dynamic residential liberal arts college campus. Core job duties include staffing the front desk; circulating library materials; answering basic informational, directional, and policy questions in a variety of modalities; monitoring conditions in the library facility; assisting with collections maintenance; opening and closing the building; referring specialized questions to librarians and other campus service providers; and participating in ongoing and special projects. Responsibilities: Responsibilities:

Works at the Circulation Desk to check items in and out, answer basic informational, directional, and technical questions, and complete tasks such as shelving and holds retrieval.

Helps create a welcoming and inclusive library experience for MCLA's diverse community of learners.

Interacts with students and other library visitors in a friendly, professional manner; resolves problems according to procedures and policies.

Collaborates with other staff to determine workflow and make decisions about security and service.

Performs opening/closing procedures, including securing equipment, clearing the building, and locking/unlocking entrances.

Periodically walks through the library to perform headcounts, monitor building conditions, and assist visitors.

Assists with ongoing and special projects such as displays, library events, inventory, and book repair; participates in shelf reading, shifting, and other stacks maintenance activities.

Refers patrons with specialized questions to librarians or other campus service providers as appropriate.

Maintains knowledge of Freel Library circulation policies and resources, including the catalog and subscription databases along with other resources available to MCLA students.

Helps oversee the work of student library assistants.

Provides substitute staffing for staff absences, when possible.

Assists with other general library duties as requested by supervisors.

Requirements: Required: At least one year of experience working directly with the public in a library, customer service/retail, or similar environment. Preferred: Familiarity with library work obtained via library employment, library volunteer experience, and/or coursework in a library science program.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully as part of a diverse community.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service.
• Familiarity with current technologies, including basic office and Web applications, Windows hardware and software; and printers/scanners; ability to learn and incorporate new technologies.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and with others in a collaborative environment.
• Reliability, punctuality, and the ability to work regularly assigned shifts as scheduled.

Physical Requirements:

• Work involves constant light to moderate physical activity including walking and standing for extended periods of time.
• Ability to bend, reach, climb stairs, push book trucks, and lift materials weighing up to 40 lbs. is necessary.
• Sufficient vision is essential to read, sort, shelve, shelf-read library materials, create and maintain patron records, and use multiple computer programs.
• Moderate to extensive computer work required.

Additional Information: Schedule:

• This position is scheduled to work during the fall and spring semesters when classes are in session (early September-mid December; mid-January-mid May), for a total of around 30 weeks per year. This position is not scheduled to work during breaks in the academic calendar (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break) or summer.
• The anticipated Fall 2025 regular weekly schedule for this position is Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (with some Sunday 12-5 shifts). Occasionally, additional optional hours become available throughout the week due to staff absences.
• Schedules may change from semester to semester based on the needs of the library and employee availability.
• At times, the library remains open during inclement weather, and this position is expected to work any regularly scheduled hours under those circumstances.

Start Date: Regular hours to begin on or after Wednesday, September 3; training/orientation to take place in late August/early September. Hourly wage: $16.50 Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both. Lucas Morrill Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247 Telephone: (413) ###-#### [email protected] U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights 33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424 Telephone: (617) ###-####; FAX: (617) ###-####; TDD (877) ###-#### [email protected] Application Instructions: Applicants should electronically submit an application by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.