Access Services Assistant

The Thomas Memorial Library is seeking to fill a part-time (18 hours) Access Services Assistant position.

Are you positive, flexible, and have a passion for customer service and reader’s advisory for adults? Are you tech savvy, friendly and approachable to all ages? Do you keep up-to-date on the publishing world and popular media and culture? Does the sight of bookshelves filled with clean, orderly, and consistently labeled books make you happy? Are you organized and able to multitask? Do you have the ability to work weekend and evening hours?

We are looking for a person that thrives on collaboration, teamwork, and fun, to become an integral member of our Access Services team by staffing our main desk and assisting with materials and interlibrary loan processing.

Please see the position specifications and application instructions below. You can also scroll down for the full job description, or download a copy.  

Position: Access Services Assistant
Classification: Library Assistant I
Hours/week: 18 hours/week
Schedule:

  • Thursdays: 1:00 – 7:00 pm
  • Fridays: 12:00 – 5:00 pm
  • Saturdays: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Starting rate: $20.00/hour
Benefits: Pro-rated holiday, vacation, sick leave; participation in Mission Square retirement plan

General Position Summary

The Access Services Assistant is part of a team that ensures a positive experience for library users of all ages, accomplished by engaging in conversation and connecting them with quality resources and services. You will assist in creating a welcoming community destination by providing excellent customer service and serving as the primary point of contact for library visitors. Additionally, the Access Services Assistant helps to process materials and manage interlibrary loans, and ensures that the library’s collections are well-maintained and reach library users in a timely manner.

Desired traits:
• Empathy, patience, and compassion, which translate into strong people skills
• A willingness to try, even in circumstances of uncertainty
• Enthusiasm for contributing to a team culture; a spirit of experimentation and fun
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to manage change (and sometimes chaos!)
• Ability to tailor communication
• Commitment to learning about and connecting with the local community

Desired competencies specific to position:
• Familiarity with library ethics, services, organizational mission
• Aptitude with technology (instruction and use)
• Excellent customer service skills including a patient, friendly, and courteous communication manner in-person, on the phone, and in written communication
• Ability to explain and enforce library behavior policies
• Experience with ILS procedures, specifically Sierra

Major Responsibilities

Staffing our main circulation/information desk. Day-to-day responsibilities include providing circulation, reader’s advisory, and reference services, primarily to adults and teens, but occasionally for children and families; answering phones; use of and instruction relating to technology; monitoring activities in public spaces; collection maintenance processes.

Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Two (2) years of office clerical or customer service experience or one (1) year of experience working in a library.

To apply:

Please send the following via email to Rachel Davis, Library Director at rdavis@thomas.lib.me.us:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Three professional references

Deadline: open until filled

Position: Access Services Assistant

Classification: Library Assistant I
Type: Entry level
Hours/week: 18
Starting Rate: $20/hour
Benefits:

  • Prorated holiday, vacation, sick time
  • Prorated participation in the Mission Square Retirement Plan

DEFINITION 
Under immediate supervision, provides customer services support for library operations in the Access Services Department; provides direct service and assistance to library patrons; and performs related work as required. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Position Reports to: Receives immediate supervision from the Access Services Manager
Position Supervises: May provide technical and functional direction to volunteers 
Internal Relationships: Works closely with the Access Services Librarians
External Relationships: None

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for providing support for the library’s mission to provide holistic library service, create a positive, inviting atmosphere for all patrons, and ensure equal access to all resources and materials, both physical and digital. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. 

TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY) 
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

  • Checks in library materials using the LMS; assists patrons with the checkout process and use of self-checkout terminals; manually checks materials out as needed.  
  • Registers new patrons; explains library procedures and policies; issues library cards and updates patron account records.  
  • Investigates and resolves patron accounts issues following established procedures; notifies patrons of holds, missing, damaged, or overdue materials, and related account issues.  
  • Receives payment for lost/damaged materials following established procedures.
  • Processes holds for local patrons and interlibrary loan, and maintains hold shelf
  • Assists patrons by locating materials. 
  • Empties bins, checks in library materials, and sorts for shipment, re-shelving, or maintenance.  
  • Shelves new and returned materials.
  • Participates in opening and closing facilities, including turning on, logging into, and turning off all computers, and printing out and pulling holds list for shipment to other libraries.  
  • Assesses problems to determine if materials need mending, to be put into lost and found, or to be returned to another library.  
  • Assists public and directs public to appropriate locations, resources, and/or staff; responds to complaints and requests for information; assists in interpreting and applying regulations, policies, procedures, systems, rules, and precedents in response to inquiries and complaints from the public.  
  • Maintains accurate and detailed records, verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information.  
  • Answers phone and performs basic customer service and circulation functions over the phone; directs callers to appropriate staff as necessary.  
  • Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Knowledge of:

  • Basic principles of record keeping.  
  • Basic arithmetic and cash handling principles.  
  • Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.  
  • English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.  
  • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Town staff. 

Ability to:  

  • Learn general principles and procedures of public library services and programs.  
  • Learn to use the library’s circulation systems.  
  • Learn library classification and cataloging terminology and practices.  
  • Learn and perform varied clerical and customer services support for library operations and programs including circulation, collections, technical services, and program support accurately and under minimal supervision.  
  • Make accurate arithmetic computations.  
  • Learn and understand the organization and operation of the Town and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.  
  • Learn and interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures.  
  • Deal tactfully with patrons and staff in providing information, answering questions, and providing customer service.  
  • Respond to and effectively prioritize a high volume of requests for service.  
  • Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.  
  • Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.  
  • Communicate effectively and courteously in a variety of people, over the telephone, and in writing.  
  • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. 
  • Two (2) years of office clerical or customer service experience or one (1) year of experience working in a library. 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift and carry materials and objects up to 25 pounds and push and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds with the use of proper equipment. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. ____________________________________________________________________________

Thomas Memorial Library supports flexible working arrangements. We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contributions made by all. 

The Town of Cape Elizabeth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.