Library Paraprofessional

About the Role

Respond and provide assistance to library customers in the use of library services and equipment. Participate in developing, preparing, coordinating, scheduling, and providing special library programs for both adults and children. Assist in collection development activities and provide technical services to the library system, including catalog database management, processing and preparing new materials for distribution, receiving and verifying invoices, and providing leadership to staff performing library functions.

Responsibilities

• Assist library customers, both in person and by telephone, regarding requests for materials, services, and information, including how to locate information, use of equipment (e.g., computerized catalogs, internet access, computer programs), and handling inquiries or issues.
• Participate in developing, preparing, coordinating, scheduling, and providing special library programs for adults and children, such as book discussions, educational tours, outreach visits, reading programs, and story time. Prepare and maintain displays of library materials for circulation.
• Assist in collection development activities: suggest titles to be ordered, enter orders online, perform routine database maintenance, and prepare incoming materials for circulation.
• Lead or participate in technical and complex library activities, including policy explanation and enforcement, checking materials in/out, issuing/replacing library cards, updating and maintaining databases, processing interlibrary loan requests, troubleshooting, and instructing staff in assigned tasks.
• Perform technical services and catalog database maintenance functions related to acquiring new library materials: utilize online databases, find, export, edit, and add records to the library system catalog, generate and submit vendor purchase orders, and provide ongoing maintenance to reflect current library holdings.
• Receive and verify invoices for incoming library materials; verify orders, quality, and condition of incoming materials; generate claims for items not received and/or defective items.
• Process and prepare new materials for distribution to branch libraries: generate and attach appropriate labels, prepare items for circulation, and enter items into the electronic library catalog to verify accuracy.
• Generate lists of customer holds, overdue items, and billed items; load updated information into the computer server, generate lists, and notify customers by mail, email, or telephone.
• Assist librarians and vendors with information and supplies: provide vendor supplies, processing information, barcodes, location labels, rubber stamps, and genre labels; supply vendors with processing procedures and instructions for bibliographic records for books and media.
• May maintain branch inventory of office supplies: monitor supply levels, anticipate needs, and place orders as assigned.
• May coordinate and maintain the contents of special centers in libraries, their collections, and kits.
• Operate, maintain, and supervise the use of various library, office, and computer equipment; train staff and library customers in the use of equipment as necessary.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of library special events or activities.
• Attend special library meetings regarding assigned activities and various library programs and services; provide recommendations for improved service delivery methods.
• Perform duties of staff member in charge, as assigned.
• Prepare, maintain, and update analytical and statistical reports; enter data into databases and prepare reports.
• May lead, train, and review the work of volunteers, pages, temporary staff, and other staff performing a variety of branch library functions; identify and recommend training opportunities.

Requirements

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of experience in an academic, public, or special library, bookstore environment, or direct customer service, including one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience.
• Major coursework in library sciences preferred.
• Customer service, educational program development, or social services experience preferred.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days from the date of hire.
• Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from the hire date.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Working Conditions

• Library environment; exposure to computer screens.
• Physical requirements include standing, walking, reaching, kneeling, climbing, and pushing carts weighing one-hundred (100) pounds or greater; light to moderate lifting and carrying of forty (40) pounds or greater.