Library Assistant

The Role

Provides public library services at library branches or other community locations, including customer service, circulations, and helping with programs and events.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides customer service to clients in the library’s adult and children’s areas. Implements library policies and procedures at the branch level under management’s direction.
• Circulates materials (e.g., periodicals, books, videos, audiovisual material) in and out of the library. Reserves materials for members, registers new members, collects fines and other charges using circulation software, and records desk receipts. Notifies members regarding reserved or overdue materials, explains library policies to the public, and addresses minor complaints, as required.
• Assists members to find answers to information requests or specific items in the branch by using the catalogue, print, audiovisual, and digital library resources. Verifies and requests materials not available in the branch; and fills requests from other branches and initiates transfer. Selects and recommends a variety of reading materials. Provides basic technological assistance to the public.
• Assists to shelve materials and participates in collection maintenance within established guidelines. Checks that materials are in good condition and recommends replacements as necessary.
• Assists with programs and events (e.g., children’s and adult programs, book sales, special events) and presents programs, as required. Promotes library collection and services to the community. 
• Participates in library staff meetings. 
• Makes recommendations to the Collection Development Librarian for new material.
• Collects fines/charges, and handles revenue from book sales, ticketed events, and sale of library items. Reports need to repair the building or collection to management.
• Occasionally provides training/guidance, and assigns work to volunteers and library pages, per established criteria.
• In supervisor or assistant library supervisor (branch) absence provides oversight of volunteer activities, per volunteer policy to ensure health and safety compliance.
• Performs backup for the Supervisor, Branch Library, Library Assistant (Juvenile), Assistant Library Supervisor (Branch) and other Library Assistant positions in the absence of those incumbents.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with library resources and a practical knowledge of library operations normally acquired through a Grade 12 diploma and 1 year of experience working with adults, children and books OR grade 12 and Excel Certificate in Small Library Management/equivalent library training plus 6 months of experience working with adults, children, and books. Knowledge of the local community served by the branch.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with corporate policies and procedures.
• Computer skills with ability to use programs such as Microsoft Office, library automation software (e.g., Sirsi Dynix Workflows), the internet, social media, mobile devices and digital resources. Ability to troubleshoot computer hardware and software. Ability to provide basic technological assistance to the public. Continually updates own skills regarding current technology, library systems software, electronic research and library resources.
• Ability to read books, articles, and other material in order to remain current with trends and developments in library and information services.
• Human relations, interpersonal, and communication skills to interact with the public and library members to assist them in meeting their information needs; respond using courtesy and tact when providing information regarding library services and promoting library programs and services in person and over the phone; provide instruction on how to use program-related software (e.g. library catalogue) and access resources using various technology; communicate daily with library staff (in person, telephone, e-mail); provide presentations and conduct programs for groups; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work shifts that may include evening and weekend hours.
• Ability to travel within the Region to other branch libraries, library headquarters, administration headquarters and other community locations. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.