LIBRARY ASSOCIATE

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, performs responsible clerical and paraprofessional duties supporting the operations of a City library; responds to questions and inquiries from library customers; and performs a variety of technical and programming tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility such as adult, teen, children’s and media services.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level class within the Library Associate series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Senior Library Associate in that the latter has responsibility for day-to-day operations in an assigned area, assumes lead supervision over lower level paraprofessional and clerical staff and is required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility. Positions at the journey level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and polices of the work unit. Work is normally reviewed only on completion and for overall results.

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.

• Performs a variety of routine circulation and customer service duties such as registering customers and issuing library cards, checking out books, magazines, audiovisual materials and other items, receiving returned materials and computing and collecting fines.
• Counts and records money collected from fines and fees; prepares cash for registers and daily cash pick up; prepares and sends out both automated and staff-generated overdue, lost/damaged, and collection notices; identifies delinquent accounts and works cooperatively with City Finance Department to recover materials/monies owed.
• Assists in maintaining and updating the library database including removal of discarded items, adding items to catalog database, and updating patron information.
• Receives and resolves patron questions and issues including circulation problems, location of specific materials, proper use of library equipment and computerized search applications, and regulations and procedures of the library.
• Assists in planning and conducting library programs for a variety of audiences, including children, teens and adults; monitors expenses and compiles attendance statistics for programs.
• Prepares informational materials, including book displays, exhibits, bulletin boards, book lists, flyers and routine publicity releases for library programs, events, and tours.
• Participates with other library departments and teams on special projects, standing committees, and cross training activities.
• Plans and participates in various community outreach activities; participates in coordinating library tours for various community groups; conducts school visits and presentations to promote library services.
• Provides limited reference and reader’s advisory assistance for the public using reference materials, local on-line databases and other appropriate tools.
• May train volunteer staff in proper work procedures and use of library software applications.
• Performs 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:

• Operations, services, and activities of a municipal library.
• Standard terminology and practices related to library support work.
• Library principles, methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Library reference materials and research techniques.
• Automated circulation system operations.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Methods and techniques of public relations.
• Principles and techniques of customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Perform clerical library work involving the use of computers and software programs.
• Perform basic reference and cataloging work.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public.
• Participate in planning and conducting library programs for specialized audiences (e.g children, adults, Spanish-speakers, etc.).
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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: Two years of college with major course work in library studies, education, liberal studies or a related field. Related experience within area of assignment may substitute for education.

Experience: Two years of experience in a library including clerical, patron contact, or technical support experience.

License or Certificate - Possession of a Library Technology certificate is desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Environment: Exposure to heat and humidity working outdoors at special events; noise of crowds and groups of people; temperature variations within the building and from indoors to outdoors; possible mechanical hazards of equipment and large quantities of books and papers. Book dust and mold is constant in a library facility. Work is performed in 80-hour bi-weekly work periods, with unscheduled breaks. Occasional overtime may be required for adequate staffing of library facilities, and incumbents may be required to work weekends, nights and holidays. Work is performed primarily indoors at library facilities. Work setting is formal, team-oriented, having both routine and variable tasks. Work pace and pressure is variable, but frequently fast-paced and high pressure. Incumbents must occasionally deal with difficult customers in library facilities, including impaired persons or persons violating library rules and regulations.

Physical: CONTINUOUS walking; lifting objects weighing up to 10 lbs. from below waist to above shoulder level and transporting distances up to 500 yards; fine finger dexterity and light pressure to operate keyboards, calculators, telephones; pinch grasp to hold books, writing materials. FREQUENT standing, sitting, bending and stooping, squatting, reaching above and at shoulder level, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting objects weighing 11-15 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 500 yards; moderate wrist torque and repetitive motion to operate and adjust equipment such as printers, computers and bar code wands. OCCASIONAL climbing, kneeling; lifting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. from below waist to waist level, with or without assistance, and transporting distances up to 10 feet. INFREQUENT crawling, balancing above ground, lifting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. from chest level to above shoulder level, with or without assistance, and transporting distances up to 10 feet; lifting objects weighing 51-75 lbs. from below waist to shoulder level, with assistance, and transporting distances up to 5 feet; strong grasp to lift equipment or boxes of books.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: November 2006
Johnson & Associates

Revised: November 27, 2006
Library/HR