What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Library Assistant position at Boston Public Health Commission and Careers?
Req ID
2025-31477
Dept
Boston Public Library
Position
Regular Full-Time
Location
BPL Central Charging Rec
Salary Min
43,330.51
Salary Max
51,937.80
Union
AFP
Openings
1
Posting End Date
5/19/2026
Contact Email
adavis@bpl.org
Overview:
Library Assistant whose duties include the following: Under the supervision of the Supervisor of Circulation or delegate, performs duties relative to the routine operations of the Library’s central circulation activities.
Reports to
Special Library Assistant II, Circulation
Responsibilities:
Under immediate supervision and in accordance with standard policy and practices, performs any or all of the following:
- Greets and directs library patrons in person, over the phone, and electronically, providing simple directions and information.
- Participates in related operations, including but not limited to charging and discharging materials in all formats, receiving and recording fines, processing reserves, registering borrowers, issuing library cards, maintaining patron records, and addressing customer service issues. Communicates and interprets BPL policies and procedures in a professional and courteous manner.
- Identifies, refers problems, and suggests solutions to their supervisor.
- Collects, routes in, sorts, shelves, and prepares periodicals and current newspapers for circulation, discarding, or storing.
- Books museum passes and instructs the public in the use of booking software.
- Receives and routes requests, maintains reserve shelf, handles send item list, accepts requests for books, periodicals, and other materials from closed stack areas, inspects for completeness, and retrieves materials.
- Receives, sorts, shelves, shifts, verifies, delivers, and bar-codes books, and traces records and searches shelves for books. May, on occasion, re-check locations for materials not located in the initial search.
- Fills out simple forms and records, and assists in clerical duties as required.
- Prepares summary reports of activity and compiles basic statistical records.
- Provides simple equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, e.g., turning on and off, cleaning, filling with paper, replacing toner cartridges, etc, for machines within the department or immediately adjacent to a service desk.
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Assists in keeping an orderly appearance of public information in areas of responsibility.
- Sorts and routes U.S. Mail.
- Attends training as directed.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
- Education – High school graduate or equivalent.
- Experience – None required.
- Demeanor appropriate to a public service environment; tact in dealing with people.
- Good communication skills, professional manner, and appearance.
- Good judgment and dependability.
- Ability to use the keyboard.
- Demonstrated ability to accept responsibility and deal with the public.
- Ability to work cooperatively with staff.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Demonstrates initiative when performing job duties.
- Communicates effectively and presents ideas clearly.
- Ability to collaborate with library staff and the public.
- Ability to focus on detail as required by the job.
- CORI - Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of Boston.
BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED
Terms:
Union/Salary Plan/Grade: AFSCME/LA-3
Hours per week: 35
Salary : $43,331 - $51,938