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 members in the library’s adult and children’s areas. Implements library policies and procedures at the branch level under management’s direction.
• Circulates materials 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 catalogue, print, audiovisual, and digital library resources. Verifies and requests materials not available in the branch, and fills requests from other branches and initiates transfers. 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 Library Collections Coordinator 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 guidance/support, and assigns work to volunteers and library pages per established criteria.
• Refers to management for direction on difficult information inquiries, work schedules, duties, customer complaints, and situations outside established procedures. 
• Backs up other direct service branch staff as required, including overseeing volunteer activities per volunteer policy to ensure health and safety compliance. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a Grade 12 diploma and 1 year of experience working with adults, children, and books. A grade 12 diploma and Excel Certificate in Small Library Management/equivalent library training plus 6 months of experience working with adults, children, and books is considered equivalent.  
• Familiarity with library resources and practical knowledge of library operations.
• 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 with 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 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 in meeting their information and technology needs; 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 to other branch libraries, library headquarters, administration headquarters, and other community locations. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.