Library Assistant III

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction from an appropriate level manager or administrator, performs a wide variety of technical and clerical duties in support of various sections/functions of the library, including acquiring, cataloging, and circulating materials for a specific function of the library; supervises student workers and oversees circulation desk activities during assigned hours; oversees an assigned functional area; and provides information and assistance to library patrons.

May receive technical training and work direction from professional Librarians or other higher-level library staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Library Assistant series independently performing a full range of technical and clerical duties in support of an assigned library function/program area. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Library Assistant II level by the performance of the most complex operational duties assigned to Library Assistants. Positions at this level regularly train and supervise student workers, oversee the circulation desk during evening or other assigned hours, oversee an assigned functional/program area, catalog materials, and conduct complex bibliographic searches. This class is distinguished from the Library Technician classification in that positions allocated to the Library Technician classification perform and supervise technical and public service library duties on an ongoing basis. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Oversee the activities and operations of the circulation desk during the evening or other hours as assigned; ensure patrons are served quickly and courteously and that materials are checked in and out in accordance with established library policies and procedures.

Oversee assigned operations during assigned hours, including overseeing the computer commons area, maintaining the library atmosphere, and resolving student problems.

Train and supervise student workers; assign and review work; provide guidance and respond to questions; participate as requested in the selection, scheduling, and discipline of student workers.

Assist in developing and implementing library policies and procedures; make recommendations for improved services in the assigned areas of responsibility.

Assume responsibility for maintaining all aspects of the Reserve Room; catalog, process, and maintain reserve materials; perform bibliographic searches for reserve materials using automated library systems and databases; maintain, add, delete, track, and monitor Reserve Room materials; prepare the reserves report; notify faculty and staff of overdue material; resolve conflicts and errors in bibliographic records for reserve items.

Assume responsibility for maintaining all aspects of the periodicals area of the library; order periodicals, newspapers, and indexes for library collection; prepare and maintain lists and reports relating to the periodicals collection; prepare duplicating orders and forms for necessary copies; process new periodicals, including sorting, entering issue information into a computer, typing and applying labels, stamping, inserting anti-theft strips, and placing periodicals on display racks and in stacks; claim missing periodicals and newspapers; maintain periodicals, including repairing, reinforcing, taping pages, and laminating covers; retrieve and reshelf periodicals; perform weeding of periodicals collection as required, including making holdings recommendations, removing old issues, cleaning shelves, shifting current holdings, re-labeling shelves, and updating the holdings list.

Assist students, instructors, and other patrons at the circulation desk, audiovisual (AV) area, periodicals area, Reserve Room, or other assigned library desks/areas; check out books and other library materials; check in library materials and prepare/process materials for return to the circulating collection; renew materials, including by telephone; provide minor supplies to patrons; register new patrons; input accounts and issue library cards; notify patrons of lost picture ID cards; notify patrons of filled book requests.

Provide support to the audiovisual public services desk; assist students with audiovisual and other library equipment; search databases for video requests; inspect audiovisual materials and equipment; check tapes, films, and records for damage or distortion; make duplicate cassettes and collect fees; check out media course videos; retrieve and reshelve audiovisual items.

Assist in cataloging functions and activities; locate bibliographic information for items on established databases; download bibliographic information; perform descriptive/copy cataloging and original cataloging; assist Librarian with subject cataloging; maintain individual item records in the library database; maintain authority records related to bibliographic records.

Oversee and participate in the maintenance and updating of the patron database; oversee and participate in maintaining the database for the Reserve Room, periodicals, and audiovisual materials.

Participate in processes to identify overdue items by running reports and checking shelves; notify patrons of overdue items; receive, process, and record overdue fines; count, balance, and record money received; search for/locate books turned in; place and release holds as required; participate in notifying the collection agency of patrons’ accounts that meet criteria of overdue items or fines and notify the collection agency when patrons have cleared any outstanding debts with the library.

Research missing books per public/interdepartmental requests.

Provide public assistance/information; respond to in-person and telephone requests for library materials, services, and information; assist library patrons in routine information requests; answer directional questions.

Assist patrons with library equipment; provide instruction on the use of library computers; troubleshoot problems with copiers; provide cash refunds for problems with copiers, printers, and AV equipment.

Assist in general library maintenance functions; shelf books; evaluate and maintain orderliness of shelved materials, including the “to read” shelves; clean shelves and shift books; pull and route materials in need of mending, binding, repairing, or discarding; mend materials; assist with annual inventory of library materials.

Assist in preparing print and non-print materials for introduction into the library collection; physically process books, including stamping new books with a property stamp, paste date-due slips inside the book, add security strips inside books, add protective coverings, add barcode labels, and type and add a call number label to spine of the book.

Receive interlibrary loan requests; obtain materials using interlibrary loan service.

Perform general clerical work; type a variety of documents; answer phones; enter information into computer systems; maintain files and records; sort and distribute mail, correspondence, and other materials.

Assist with various projects and special assignments as assigned; assist in recording, tabulating, and compiling data and statistics for summary reports.

Perform library opening duties; turn on computers for student and staff use; collect, stamp, and date daily newspapers and contact newspaper vendors if daily newspapers are not delivered, as necessary.

Perform library closing duties as assigned; play closing tape; secure money; turn off equipment; ensure all items are returned; clear building of patrons; turn off lights.

May assist and provide back-up support to other library staff and in other areas of the library.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings, conferences, and workshops; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in library science; incorporate new developments as appropriate.

Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Library services, materials, practices, and operating procedures.

Operating characteristics of a circulation desk in a community college library.

Basic principles of training and supervision.

Technical and clerical support duties applicable to a library.

Library terminology.

Practices and techniques used in the classification and cataloging of library materials.

Computerized cataloging and circulation system databases; bibliographic databases; and basic procedures for the entry of information and materials.

Bibliographic search techniques.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Principles, practices, and procedures of record keeping.

Basic principles of report preparation.

Principles and practices used to establish and maintain files and information retrieval systems.

Basic principles and techniques used in public relations, including methods and techniques of proper receptionist and telephone etiquette.

Basic mathematical concepts.

English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability to:

Understand the organization and operation of the library and assigned program area, services, and functions as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.

Understand, interpret, and apply general administrative, office, and operating policies and procedures of the library.

Assist in developing and implementing library policies and procedures.

Oversee the activities and operations of the circulation desk during assigned hours.

Assume responsibility for the activities and operations of an assigned desk/area.

Train, supervise, and evaluate the work performance of assigned student workers.

Ensure efficient and courteous services to library patrons in assigned areas of responsibility.

Perform a full range of technical and clerical duties in support of the assigned library program area or function.

Order, receive, and catalog library materials.

Apply library practices and procedures in the cataloging and processing of library materials.

Operate computerized cataloging, bibliographic, and circulation system databases.

Conduct complex bibliographic searches and correct errors and conflicts as needed.

Provide assistance and respond appropriately to requests and inquiries from students, staff, faculty, or the public; effectively present information in person or on the telephone.

Respond professionally and effectively to difficult or upset patrons while maintaining a calm, courteous, and customer service-oriented approach.

Type or enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

Compile and organize data and information.

Maintain filing systems.

Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.

Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the varied racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, academic, socioeconomic, and disabled populations of community college students.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized coursework or on-the-job training in library science or library practices and procedures.

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible technical and clerical library experience, including two years of experience at the level of Library Assistant II.