Library Assistant

The Chester County Library has an opening for a Part Time Library Assistant who is responsible for performing Circulation procedures to ensure quality customer service and a smooth, accurate flow of library materials to and from customers, including following Library and County policies in order to maintain the public service image of the library.

Responsibilities:
Provide front line customer service assistance, handle general account issues, complaints, grievances, delinquent accounts and accounts in collection.

Requirements:
This position requires excellent organizational and oral communications skills, flexibility, a genuine enjoyment of the public, a commitment to public service, and the ability to handle stressful situations. The position also requires the ability to master basic and specialized online circulation functions, and demonstrate current PC proficiency including internet, email and Microsoft Office skills. Previous customer service or retail experience preferred.

Physical abilities:
Handle, lift, or move library materials weighing up to 25 lbs.; stand at a computer terminal for up to 4 hours; wheel book trucks weighing up to 125 lbs.; and to stand, sit, walk, stoop or reach within a confined area.

All library positions require the following criminal background and child abuse clearances: Report of criminal history form 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 Policy 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).

• Greet, direct and provide basic assistance with directional, instructional and informational inquiries for patrons at the circulation check-out desk.
• Issue library cards to in County and out-of-County/State residents.
• Locate and check out materials to patrons.
• Inspect returned materials for damage.
• Compute, record, and receive overdue fines.
• Review records to compile list of overdue books, and issue overdue notices to borrowers.
• Process and maintain reserve materials and interlibrary loans.
• Sort returned materials according to classification code and need for repair, and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Answer inquiries of a non-professional nature and refer persons requiring professional assistance to librarian.
• Assist patrons in using electronic equipment.
• Update patron and material records in library ILS as necessary.
• Answer phones and provide basic assistance to inquiries.
• Operate cash registers and credit card machine with accuracy.
• Assist with Library opening and closing procedures as needed.
• Participate in community outreach initiatives and fulfill continuing education requirements. 
• Stay current with County and library policies.
• Perform duties and provide service in compliance with County and library policies and procedures.
• Know and execute library emergency and incident response protocols.
• Use a variety of software applications to circulate special collections and for payroll and other County employee accounts. 
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and possess strong communication, customer service and computer skills. 
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
• Basic office skills (typing, filing, answering phones, etc.).
• PA criminal background check.
• PA child abuse clearance.
• FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Prior customer service work experience.
• Previous experience working in a library with computerized systems. 
• Some college preferred.
• Knowledge of library operations and Chester County policies and procedures.  

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 Office Suite Skills, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Explorer).
• Basic Outlook Skills (email and calendar)

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 quiet to moderately noisy.

Other: 

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