Library Assistant

The Library Assistant helps staff the Multimedia desk, supports patron engagement, and collection promotion and maintenance. While the Library Assistant is at the public desk they will answer phone calls, place requests for materials, assist with downloading and streaming the digital collection, and answer general questions.

Essential duties for this position includes assisting patrons in finding materials, using and troubleshooting the digital collections, provide readers advisory, answer phones and email inquiries, promote library collections and resources, answer questions of a non-professional nature and refer persons requiring professional assistance to a librarian, sort and shelve materials, assist with opening/closing the departments, participate in community outreach activities, and perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

This position requires the ability to master basic online circulation functions, and demonstrate current computer proficiency including internet, email, and Microsoft 365 skills.

This position also 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.

All library positions require the following criminal background and child abuse clearances: Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP); Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services (Child Abuse); 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).Essential duties, tasks and accountabilities will vary by library unit and may include the following:

• Staff the public service desks in the Multimedia department and occasionally the Teen Zone. 
• Assist patrons in finding materials and provide readers advisory.
• Assist patrons with using and troubleshooting the digital collections.
• Answer phone and email inquiries
• Promote library collections and resources
• Assist in planning and presenting programs for the public
• Answer questions of a non-professional nature and refer persons requiring professional assistance to a librarian.
• Sort and shelve materials.
• Assist with opening/closing the departments 
• Participate in community outreach activities
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Basic office skills (typing, filing, answering phones, etc.).
• Some previous experience working in library with computerized systems.
• Some experience working with bibliographic resources on-line.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of library operations.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work individually or as part of a team and proceed with objectives.
• PA criminal background check.
• PA child abuse clearance.
• FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Associates degree 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.
• Color vision.
• Ability to read, alphabetize and place items in numeric order.

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).