Library Assistant

Title: PT Library Assistant – Youth Services

Department: Chester County Library
Location: 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA

The Chester County Library, Exton, PA has an opening for a part-time Library Assistant in the Youth Services Department.

This part-time position is responsible for assisting children and teens and their families in a high-volume, fast paced District Center Library. The staff member assuming this position is responsible for planning and presenting developmentally appropriate, standards-based literacy programs for preschoolers and providing reference and readers’ advisory for children and their families. The Library Assistant is also responsible for keeping the children’s and young adult areas attractive and orderly (including shelving), and assisting, as needed, with programs for children of all ages.

This position requires a high school diploma, with a BS in early childhood education, elementary education, or children’s literature preferred. Candidates have knowledge of and enthusiasm for children’s and young adult literature, knowledge of child development, and experience planning and presenting programs. This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills, enthusiasm, flexibility, energy, and a genuine enjoyment of work with library customers of all ages, especially children. Library experience and experience working directly with children is preferred.

This position may include daytime, evening, and a rotating weekend schedule.

This position requires the following physical abilities: to handle, lift, move, shift library materials weighing up to 25 lbs.; to wheel book-carts weighing up to 125 lbs.; to operate a keyboard; to stand, sit, kneel, walk, stoop, reach repeatedly throughout the workday. Library experience and experience with children a plus.

All library positions require the following criminal background and child abuse clearances: Report of criminal history from and Fingerprint based federal criminal history submitted through the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent (FBI).

All employees of the Chester County Library are considered a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse under the Child Protective Services Law (Title 23 Pa. C.S.A. Chapter 63).

• Provide general reference and readers’ advisory services.
• Plan, promote, and lead standards-based programs for children, birth to teen, and their families. 
• Assist customers in locating library materials.
• Sort returned materials according to classification code and need for repair, and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Assist patrons in using electronic equipment.
• Complete training modules as assigned. 
• Participate in department, committee, and library-wide staff meetings.

Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Experience planning and presenting programs to children and families.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Ability to shelve materials within the appropriate classification scheme. 
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to compare alphabetical and numerical material for accuracy.
• Strong commitment to customer services. 
• Ability to speak in public (presentation and storytelling skills).
• Knowledge of children’s literature.
• Knowledge of child development and skills.
• Familiarity with the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to View statements.
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team to complete objectives.   
• PA criminal background check.
• PA child abuse clearance.
• FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Completion of a two- or four-year program from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, elementary education, or children’s literature.
• Experience working in a library with computerized systems.
• General knowledge of library operations or the principles and practices of public library service.
• Knowledge of Chester County Library policies, procedures, services and programs. 

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic to Intermediate Office Suite Skills, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Explorer)
• Basic to Intermediate OutLook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Proficiency with Library’s online catalog

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit; walk; stand; bend at the waist while working; kneel, stoop, crouch or squat; talk or hear; handle and lift up to 25 pounds; push a cart of books that weighs up to 75 pounds; and sit at a computer terminal for up to 4 hours at a time. Occasionally, the employee will need to work with arms above shoulders or reach above shoulder height.
The specific vision requirements for this position are as follows:

• Close vision for reading and operating a computer.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate.

Other:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends on rotation, as necessary.
• Library is open seven days a week (total of 65 hours).