LIBRARY ASSISTANT I

Description

Provide exceptional customer service in a fast-paced library environment by welcoming, assisting, and connecting patrons with library resources and services. This paraprofessional position requires the ability to work independently and alone when scheduled. This position requires availability to work days, evenings, and weekends. A positive attitude, flexibility, and a sense of humor are essential. Employees may be assigned to work at any library location, including the Main Library, Downtown Branch, or the Bookmobile.

This is a part-time position, anticipated 25 hours per week.

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Duties

• Delivers friendly, responsive, and professional customer service to patrons of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities by greeting patrons, answering questions, and connecting them with library resources and services.
• Provides circulation services at public desks, including issuing library cards, checking materials in and out, placing holds, collecting fines, and using the integrated library system.
• Assists patrons with self-service technology, including self-checkout stations, public computers, printers, scanners, and business center equipment.
• Helps patrons with use of the online library catalog, internet searches, job applications, email, and other digital resources.
• Provides reader’s advisory services by recommending books, media, and other library materials for patrons of all ages
• Answers informational and directional questions in person and by telephone
• Processes materials delivered through courier system including unpacking, sorting, checking in materials, preparing deliveries, and maintaining bags for other locations.
• Shelves library materials and keeps library spaces neat and welcoming, including checking shelves for overdue materials, collecting holds, and emptying book drops.
• Assist librarians with library programs, displays, and activities for youth, teens, and adults.
• Troubleshoots basic technology and equipment problems and monitors use of supplies.
• Participates in library outreach initiatives.
• May be asked to act as a library courier and drive between library branches.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Education And Experience Required

Associate’s degree recommended. Library, bookstore, museum or other relevant customer service experience preferred. Knowledge of Library automated systems preferred.

Additional Requirements

Other Qualifications/ Requirements

• Valid driver's license and a driving record that meets the City of Lynchburg's Driving Criteria.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software, Canva, and internet use, as well as the ability to demonstrate such abilities.
• Effective communication of information and ideas
• Strong organizational skills.
  
  

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of patrons and the general public.
  
  

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
  
  

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to apply common sense to solve practical problems in a variety of situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret and understand instructions in written, diagram or schedule formats.
  
  

Interpersonal Skills

• Requires solid interpersonal and communication skills including tact, common courtesy and conflict resolution within a team environment and with individual patrons.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and telephone keyboard.
• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City offers an array of benefits combined with direct salary/wages in order to establish a total compensation package that supports the City's goals of attracting, rewarding, and retaining employees who are both representatives of the community and are also able to deliver exceptional services.

• Employees in full-time positions are eligible for the following benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS); the City’s contribution is based on a rate determined bi-annually by the VRS Board and employees pay 5% of base pay (pre-tax) towards their VRS benefit
• Life insurance at no cost to the employee
• Optional benefits such as 457 deferred compensation, Roth IRA, flexible spending accounts, etc.
• Eligibility for parental leave and tuition assistance
• Paid Time Off
• Employees in hourly and part-time positions may be eligible for benefits depending on the position
  

Employees of the City of Lynchburg may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for federal student loans

Additional information about City benefits can be found on our website and in the Employment Policies & Procedures

01

This position requires you to work evenings and Saturdays. Are you willing and able to work these hours?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

DMV Release Notice: This position requires a valid driver's license and acceptable driving history. I hereby certify that I have read the DMV Record Release Notice, and give the City permission to obtain my driving record.

• Yes
• No
• I do not currently possess a Virginia Driver's License
  
  

03

Please provide your driver's license number so that your driving record can be obtained.

04

(Current Out-of-State applicants and applicants who have had an Out-of-State Drivers License at any time in the last 3 years): I agree to provide, WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF MY APPLICATION, a copy of my driving record from that state where I am currently licensed or have been licensed within the past 3 years. I will contact Human Resources within 2 weeks if I am unable to obtain my out of state driving record in that time. I understand that my application may not be considered for this position until I submit my out of state driving record. You can email this information to human.resources@lynchburgva.gov, or fax to 434-845-4304 or mail this information to Human Resources, 900 Church Street, Lynchburg VA 24504. Include the name of the position for which you are applying. If you have a driving record less than 30 days old you can upload as an attachment to your application.

• Agree to provide record within 2 weeks of application date
• Do not agree (I understand I will no longer be considered for this position if I disagree.)
• Not applicable (I have not had an Out-of-State Driver's License during the past 3 years.
• Required Question