Library Access Services Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Library Access Services Assistant is primarily responsible for supporting various aspects of the library’s public and access services activities. This position will be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as part of the regular schedule

They will play a key public facing role in interacting with a diverse group of library patrons, which include Lucas Museum staff, external researchers, and walk-in visitors.

Working closely with the Access Services Coordinator and reporting to the Library Director, the Library Access Services Assistant will also be responsible for maintaining and organizing library public spaces and materials. They will also perform significant physical duties such as unpacking and packing shipments, shelving books, climbing stairs and ladders, and moving loaded book trucks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides patron services to museum staff, external researchers and visitors, including answering routine directional and circulation questions, helping patrons locate or request materials, scanning books for in-house circulation, checking in/out books, paging books and materials, and holds requests
• Gathers and shelves books and other library materials, including arranging displays and ensuring that all areas are ready for use
• Accurately shelve, shift, and maintain library materials using both Library of Congress (LC) and Dewey Decimal classification systems
• Maintains the physical library space by organizing and returning furniture, tidying public and staff areas, removing small amounts of trash, and helping ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for patrons and staff
• Engage in physical activity: must be able to move heavy items such as boxes of books and equipment, frequently moving boxes weighing up to 50 lbs . Must be able to move about the museum, library and other areas, ascend/descend stairs, and perform tasks that require frequent physical movement throughout the library
• Monitors and replenishes supplies in assigned service area
• Opens and closes the library
• Assists with visitor flow by monitoring and managing lines, directing crowds, and helping maintain a safe, orderly, and welcoming environment during busy periods, events, and peak visitation times
• Performs other duties related to the day-to-day Library operations as needed

CORE COMPETENCIES

Analytical Rigor:  Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision. 

Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible. 

Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders. 

Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity. 

Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 8 hours per shift. 
• Ability to move throughout multiple Museum locations, including galleries, theaters, outdoor spaces, and other public areas. 
• Ability to maintain an active and visible presence while providing exceptional guest service. 
• Ability to work in a high-volume, public-facing environment with large groups of guests, including school groups, tours, special events, and peak attendance periods, while maintaining professionalism, situational awareness, and composure. 
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs as needed. 
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, including wheelchairs, stanchions, signage, guest service equipment, and other operational materials. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with guests and colleagues in person, by telephone, and over two-way radio. 
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions. 
• Ability to maintain awareness of guest activity and surrounding conditions while monitoring galleries, queues, and public spaces. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School graduate or equivalent education
• 1-2 years or more experience in library, archives, and/or museum best practices
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to respond to requests and inquiries from a diverse group of patrons in a tactful, courteous and effective way
• Strong organizational and time-management, punctual and deadline driven
• Excellent listening skills with the ability to understand and follow directions
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as a team player, and independently
• Ability to be responsive to any communications in a timely and professional manner
• Demonstrated capacity to take direction effectively and contribute positively to a cooperative work environment
• Adept using computers, including Microsoft Office Suite and library databases, and able to assist others with smartphones, apps, and basic digital tasks
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods throughout the workday; ascend and descend stairs; bend; and lift and move boxes of books and other materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to perform tasks that involve repetitive motions, such as scanning barcodes, shelving books, and pushing book carts. Working knowledge shelving in both LC and Dewey call numbers
• Bilingual ability is a plus, along with a demonstrated sensitivity to and respect for diverse cultures and backgrounds

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

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MISSION AND VISION

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

People First : We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.

Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.  

 

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

 

Narrative Art:

Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration.

Community:

Connect to a broad and diverse public.

Operational Excellence:

Create a healthy and durable institution.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).