Library Assistant

Part-time, 20 hours per week. Work schedule may include one or two evenings per week during the fall and winter semesters.

About the role

The Assistant supports the Library’s mission to provide a welcoming and friendly environment for all students, staff, and community members; materials and services that promote learning, instruction, research, self-awareness, and cultural awareness; and job training for work-study students. This position assists in the day-to-day operation of the library, basic technology support, and planning and coordination of material displays and programs. The Assistant contributes to ensuring that the Bay College Library is a place of belonging on campus and is a responsive and vital academic resource for students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the initial customer service contact for the Library. Is seated at the Library’s main desk and greets and directs walk-in traffic, answers the main phone line, and responds to emails.
• Assists in the day-to-day library operations, including opening and closing of the library.
• Assists at front desk with circulation functions such as the charging/discharging of materials, renewal of materials, registration of new patrons, filling holds and interlibrary loan requests, creation of student and staff I.D. cards, and assisting patrons with computers, photocopiers, and accessibility devices.
• Performs clerical duties, such as sorting mail, filing, photocopying, word processing, and mailing out letters. Keeps up regular communication with supervisors regarding changes, and seeks to streamline processes where appropriate.
• Promotes research of evidence from trusted academic sources on a wide array of topics, without judgement.
• Explains reference sources and how to use them with patrons.
• Assists College Librarian in planning themes, selecting materials, and designing layouts for library material and virtual displays on the Escanaba and Iron Mountain Campuses.
• Performs Collection Maintenance, including sorting, shelving, shelf reading, and shifting of material. Assists in carrying out collection weeding projects.
• Assists in cataloging and processing library materials.
• Assists College Librarian in planning, implementing, and promoting library programs and events.
• Assists College Librarian in supervising and coaching work-study students; assigns tasks.
• Maintains records of overdue and billed items.
• Maintains records of print collection of serial magazines and newspapers.
• Monitors library cash drawer.
• Exercises sound judgment in interpreting established library policies and procedures when dealing with patrons.
• Participates and seeks professional development and growth.
• Maintains filing system for library accounts, inventory, and equipment.
• Maintains proper function of office equipment.
• May participate in a campus committee as a liaison to the library.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related field.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population (including staff, faculty, students, and public) in a courteous and professional manner.
• Excellent customer service skills and a commitment to client/patron-centered services.
• A high degree of collaboration, flexibility, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills.
• Willingness to learn to use and troubleshoot a variety of computer programs and technologies.
• Outstanding listening, interpersonal, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and with attention to detail.
• Experience using MS Office: Excel, Access, Word, Publisher.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some knowledge or experience in a library or using library software and online library information systems is preferred.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude, maturity, initiative, and integrity with a professional image contributing to the success of the College.
• Ability to maintain working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Identifies needed action without continual direction.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the College’s mission.
• Some experience in supervising the work of others.

Schedule

20 hours per week, 12 months per year.

• August–May: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• June–July: Monday, Wednesday, and one additional day during library open hours.
• May include 1–2 evenings per week and one Saturday per year.

Pay

Pay range: $16.30 – $19.18 per hour.

Benefits

• Michigan Public School Employees Retirement Systems
• YMCA membership
• Wellness Program
• Professional development support

Supervision

Works under the general supervision of the College Librarian. Supervises work-study students.

Work Environment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exposure to weather conditions prevalent at the time.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud in areas of equipment operation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.