Library Assistant II (SC - Substitute)

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision from an appropriate level manager or administrator, performs a wide variety of routine 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; and provides general information and assistance to library patrons.

May receive technical training and work direction from Library Technicians.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level class within the Library Assistant series performing a full range of routine technical and clerical duties in support of assigned program area in the library with only occasional instruction or assistance. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Library Assistant I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, applying well-developed general library and specific program area knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative. 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.

Assist in acquisition and collection development services and activities; review book order list against items currently in the library’s collection to eliminate duplicate ordering; receive donated books; coordinate selection and review of donated books with librarians and members of the Friends of the Library; withdraw books and library materials from the collections; maintain records on items added and withdrawn from the library collection.

Order and receive office and special library supplies using various ordering systems; contact vendors and resolve ordering and receiving problems.

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 the Librarian with subject cataloging; maintain individual item records in 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.

Train and provide work direction to assigned student workers, lower-level assistants, substitutes, and other staff as assigned.

Assume responsibility for maintaining 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.

Assist students, instructors, and other patrons at the circulation desk, Audiovisual/periodicals area, reserve room, or other assigned library desk/area; 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 found picture ID cards; notify patrons of filled book requests.

Provide support to the audiovisual public services desk; assist students with audiovisual equipment, including televisions, VHS and DVD players, headphones, cassette and record players, and microfiche and microfilm readers; search database for video requests; inspect audiovisual material 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.

Provide support to 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 them, entering issue information into the computer, typing and applying labels, stamping them, inserting anti-theft strips, and placing them on display racks and in stacks; claim missing periodicals and newspapers; maintain periodicals, including repairing and reinforcing them, taping pages, and laminating covers; retrieve and reshelve periodicals; perform weeding of periodicals collection as required, including making recommendations for changes to holdings, removing old issues, cleaning shelves, shifting current holdings, relabeling shelves, and updating the holdings list.

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; notify the collection agency of patron accounts that meet criteria of overdue items or fines and notify the collection agency when patron has 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 and 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 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 the property stamp, paste date due slips inside book, add a security strip inside each book, add protective covering, add a barcode label, and t type and add a call number label to the 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; 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 the newspapers have not been delivered, as necessary.

Perform library closing duties as assigned; play the 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 procedures.

Routine 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, bibliographical, and circulation system databases and basic procedures for entry of information and materials.

Bibliographic search techniques.

Basic principles of supervision and training.

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

Principles, practices, and procedures of recordkeeping.

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 assigned library 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.

Perform a full range of general clerical and routine technical 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, bibliographical, and circulation system databases.

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

Participate in overseeing the activities and operations of assigned desk/area during assigned hours.

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.

Deal with irate patrons in a calm manner.

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 the 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.

Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.

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 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:

Two years of increasingly responsible clerical library experience.