Position Description 
Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County

Distinguishing Job Characteristics

Provides assistance to customers at the circulation desk and in other assigned library departments including children's, adult, reference, audiovisual and Ohio Room.

Although employee may typically be assigned to work in an area or branch, the employee may be reassigned as necessary to meet the needs and operations of the library. Specific job duties typically vary depending on the branch and department to which the employee is assigned. However, all Library Assistants are expected to provide quality service and maintain good public relations within the scope of their job assignment, and to remain flexible to proficiently perform a variety of job tasks as needed.
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabled persons, covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act, in accordance with its requirements.

Works the circulation desk and performs related responsibilities to provide assistance and excellent service to library customers. Greets customers with a friendly attitude and respect, and checks books and other materials in and out. Checks for damaged or missing items and notifies customer. Places and removes holds on materials. Empties book drops and checks in materials.

Registers new customers, and issues and renews library cards. Completes and inputs customer information into computer system and files new and adjusted registration cards. Provides instruction and information regarding lending policies and customer obligations and privileges.

Assists customers in locating materials, and in downloading books to e-reader devices and electronic tablets, and with microfilm readers.

Schedules customers to use computers to access the Internet, and assists customers in using Internet Express terminals and electronic card catalogue to locate books, place holds and use other library services available electronically.

Operates copier and faxes documents for customers, and collects and accounts for fees.

Responds to customer complaints, assesses problems, and appropriately resolves to customer's satisfaction within policy guidelines and scope of authority. Monitors activities within library and appropriately and diplomatically enforces library policy.

Collects fines and fees for lost or damaged materials, and maintains cash records to reflect daily receipts.

Answers telephones to provide general information and answer routine inquiries. Transfers calls to requested party and takes messages.

May be assigned to work in designated department such as children's, adult. reference, or audio visual. Provides public assistance, maintains shelves and displays, assists with programming and activities, workshops and events, and performs other duties and responsibilities specific to department operations.

Shelves books, videos compact disks periodicals, and other materials and maintains shelves in proper order. Dusts books. Pulls books, periodicals and other materials to be discarded, and pulls and sends damaged books for mending.

Processes reserved items and hold cancellations. Locates requested materials, reconciles items, completes transit slips and notifies customers. Processes cargo items. Labels bags, sorts items, completes summary sheet and processes daily deliveries.
 

Other Duties and Responsibilities

May be assigned to:

• Perform specific functions related to library operations and administration. May be assigned responsibility for accounting for petty cash from copiers and other sources.
• Rolls coin and transports to bank for currency exchange.
• Input information into computer to complete customer records initiated at the circulation desk. Make changes and updates to customer records on paper registration and in computer.
• Order branch supplies, maintain inventory and order records, and maintain responsibility for supply room.
• Notarize signatures on documents for the general public.
• Shovel snow and spread salt to ensure safe entry and exit from the library.
   

Scope of Supervision

None.
 

Equipment Operated

Computer; calculator, copier, fax machine, postage meter, telephone, and other general office equipment; laminator; disc buffer; microfilm reader; and other equipment specific to perform circulation related responsibilities and other related job assignments.
 

Contacts With Others

Library customers; cargo delivery representatives; general public.
 

Confidential Data

Customer records; alarm codes; computer passwords.
 

Working Conditions

Good working conditions. Potential hazard of falling books or shelving.
 

Usual Physical Demands

The following physical demands are typically exhibited by employees who perform this job's essential duties and responsibilities. These are not job qualification standards, but are illustrated to identify tasks where reasonable accommodations may be needed when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform essential duties due to an ADA disability.

While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity when working on the computer. The employee frequently stands for extended periods of time while waiting on customers, and occasionally stands, walks and sits. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when using a computer screen. The employee frequently reaches, bends and lifts books onto shelves.
 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: library policies and procedures; Dewey Decimal System; literature.

Ability to: exhibit a broad reading background; develop and maintain good working relationships with library customers, co-workers and other job contacts; maintain confidentiality of confidential and sensitive subject matter; categorize materials in subject, numerical and alphabetical order; maintain good public relations as a library representative; ability to be flexible and willingly accept new assignments; adapt to changing technology and library services and processes.

Skill in: operation of computer· use of the Internet; communicating effectively in written and oral form; routine typing; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing; spelling; maintaining registration and other operational records; data entry; operation of microfilm reader; operation of e-readers and electronic tablets; application of Symphony and other job-related software.
 

Qualifications

An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification is: High School Degree, GED or equivalent with job-related coursework and 3-12 months related work experience. An extensive reading background.

Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements.
 

Licensure or Certification Requirements

None.