As an assistant librarian, you provide reference assistance and exceptional customer service to the general public, coordinate one or more specialized work activities, and support the work of the Adult Services Department. You develop and deliver library collections, programs, and services that reflect a wide spectrum of ideas and viewpoints, mirroring diverse and growing community needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Proactively greet and establish rapport with patrons, enthusiastically engaging them in conversations about all our materials and services. Provide exemplary customer service in-person in the adult & reference department and at all locations throughout the library. Answer questions about library programs and services and refer callers and visitors to the appropriate staff member or service desk. Staff public service desks as assigned.

Effectively communicate to patrons regarding a variety of topics including, but not limited to, library products and services, policies, responsibilities, and code of conduct. Blend creativity, problem solving, and decision making to positively impact the customer experience, de-escalate any negative situations and resolve customer questions and concerns. Monitor customer feedback. Diffuse difficult, volatile, and/or inappropriate customer situations, keeping safety in mind.

Ask open ended questions to assess, understand, and ascertain customer needs, determine how to tailor your approach, and provide recommendations using your institutional knowledge to connect our customer with the right solution. This includes both routine and complex patron inquiries. Provide research assistance, readers' advisory, technical assistance, and exemplary frontline customer service.

Help orient new staff, ensuring a smooth acclimation to the library and our culture. Train new staff members as assigned. Monitor, train, develop, and coach Adult Services volunteers as assigned. Provide assistance to colleagues.

Create, develop and implement multiple high-quality adult programs, including a multi-week summer reading program for adults. Support department in offering several hundred diverse programs annually. Project lead on one or more library programs.

Select and purchase materials for assigned library collection. Monitor and manage a print materials budget in approximate range of $1000, ensuring collection purchases are balanced, relevant and responsive to community needs.

Oversee and administer one or more specialized Adult Services work activities, including but not limited to Student Proctoring, Interlibrary Loan Services, and/or Website Maintenance.

Address the general public and participate in community outreach, and in general, promote library use in the community.

Manage web content proficiently with appropriate tools.

Create print and web bibliographies, user guides and displays spotlighting library collections, services and programs.

Serve on and/or chair library committees as requested.

Display excellent time management skills, attention to detail, problem solving skills, strong organizational skills and the ability to work proactively to balance multiple tasks and prioritize work. Complete work at an appropriate pace with a sense of urgency.

Speak, instruct, and/or perform in front of library and outreach audiences. Assist with library services, programs, and outreach opportunities as needed. Represent and promote the Library in public, media, and professional associations. Seek out opportunities and utilize networking events to promote recognition and use of the Library.

Pursue professional development, which may involve travel, to keep informed of current and emerging library trends. Maintain professional and technical knowledge through attendance of educational workshops, review of professional publications, establishment of networks, and participation in professional organizations.

Assume personal responsibility for the building's condition and solve minor issues and problems as they arise.

Complete special projects as assigned.

Protect library assets and ensure building security adhering to library policies and following appropriate closing procedure. Learn and carry out emergency procedures.

Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities 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 and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk or hear; frequently required to reach with hands and arms; and occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All library positions require customer-focused service to both internal and external customers, flexibility, teamwork, punctual and regular attendance, and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, plus specialized schooling and/or on the job education in a specific skill area equivalent to a four-year college degree, plus 2 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to read, analyze, and understand general business/company related articles and professional journals. Ability to effectively speak and present information before groups of customers or employees.
• Basic math skills including the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• High reasoning skills including the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of known variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram formats.
• Intermediate computer skills including proficiency with office productivity software and ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Excellent customer service skills including the ability to resolve difficult customer situations.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule as assigned that includes evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts is required.
• Creativity and awareness of community needs to design and implement library services and programs for adults.
• Strong organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as an effective and valued team member.
• Work under pressure on multiple projects with frequent interruptions and tight deadlines.
• Multilingual skills a plus.

Work Environment:

• Ability to tolerate moderate noise that comes from an office environment with typical HVAC performance, constant visitors, telephone calls, computers, and printers; ability to tolerate increased noise during library programs.
• Ability to occasionally work near mechanical equipment including the book conveyor and sorting system and mechanical lift for walk-up book drop.