The Plainsboro Free Public Library seeks an energetic and self- motivated Public Services Library Assistant for a part-time position. A Public Services Library Assistant provides friendly, high quality customer service to library patrons of all ages at both the Information and Youth Service desks, making people feel welcome and offering assistance to ensure the needs of the public are being met. Work involves responsibility for public service desk functions including navigating library software and databases, collection maintenance, assisting patrons at public computers, and conducting ready-reference and preliminary reference interviews.
Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Welcomes patrons to public service desks, ensuring all are treated equally and with respect;
- Assists patrons on the selection of reading materials appropriate for their needs and assists in locating library materials;
- Assist the public in the use of library resources and equipment;
- Answers basic reference questions and refers more in-depth reference questions to the appropriate staff;
- Registers patrons for library programs;
- Oversees and directs the work of library pages and volunteers;
- Submitting interlibrary loan requests through Jersey Cat system;
- Providing Notary Public services to residents;
- Answering and routing telephone calls;
- Receives and responds to customer compliments, complaints and suggestions;
- Refers complaints and suggestions from the public to the Assistant Director of Publics Services when appropriate;
- Exercises proper procedure for evacuation of public and staff during an emergency or drill; and
- Performs related tasks as required.
- Shelves library materials, shelf-reading, and searching for items from system generated lists;
- Participates in the weeding of department collections;
- Creates and maintains displays and develops reading lists and brochures;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Attends conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars and courses related to duties as well as in-house staff trainings to keep technological skills up to date and maintain professional best practices;
- Reads professional literature related to duties; and
- Participates in ongoing and annual performance evaluations with the Assistant Director of Public Services.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
General knowledge of:
- Library clerical procedures and practices;
- Library software, databases, digital resources, apps and common computer software such as MS Office;
- Popular youth and adult literature and resources.
Ability:
- to provide excellent customer service;
- to maintain accurate records and statistics and complete reports;
- to exercise initiative and independent judgment;
- to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers and library staff; and
- to communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
- Education and experience: Education and experience: Public Services Library Assistant must have any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and some experience in library work or work dealing with the public.
- Schedule: Tuesdays 4:30-8:30pm, Thursdays 1pm-8:30pm and Saturdays 1-5 pm. Flexibility to cover additional shifts when needed preferred.
- Salary: $18.08 per hour
Application: For consideration, please send a cover letter and resume to: jobs [at] plainsborolibrary.org Include “Part-time Public Services Library Assistant Position” in the email subject line. Please no phone calls. Only candidates selected for interviews will be notified. Employment offers are conditional upon a successful background and reference check and include a six month probationary period. Plainsboro Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicant must comply with the “NJ First Act.”
Other: This position can take advantage of the Plainsboro Library’s “Experienced Librarians of the Future” program (ELF Program) of library experience and enrichment for MLIS students.