FWS - Library Instruction and Collections Assistant - Elementary School Focus

FWS
- Library Instruction and Collections Assistant
- Elementary School Focus Overview

Category

Student

This position is only open to current Pacific University students.

Title of position: FWS
- Library Instruction and Collections Assistant
- Elementary School Focus

Department name and location:
Collection Services Department / Instruction and Reference Department, Tran Library, Forest Grove Campus

Purpose of position:

To support library services for the Early Learning Community, educator preparation programs, and Pacific University community children and families, by assisting with library visits and instruction for preschool through grade 4 ELC classes; and by assisting with cataloging, processing, shelving, and organizing books in the Children’s and Young Adult Collection.

Scheduling:

This role works 6-10 hours per week, during standard business hours, on a consistent schedule agreed upon by the student employee and supervisors. Availability during school hours on Fridays is preferred, as most class visits occur on Fridays.

Job duties and responsibilities:

General

• Perform complex workflows with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Communicate effectively with supervisor, other student employees, young children, and teachers
• Strictly maintain library patron confidentiality

Collections

Under supervision of the Director of Collection Services:

• Add children’s materials to the library catalog and physically process them for use
• Shelve and reshelve children’s materials, and regularly check shelf order for accuracy
• Assist with collection development through projects such as researching award winners, new releases, and materials aligned with upcoming units, lessons, and ELC student and teacher requests
• Use specialty library software, Google sheets and docs, and Microsoft Office products, to fulfill these duties
• Work at a computer for extended periods of time, read, stoop, lift, and perform repetitive motion of hands, wrists, and arms

Instruction

Under supervision of the Learning & Research Services Librarian:

• Plan and develop library instructional content rooted in the Oregon School Library Standards and the Library’s Children and Young Adult (CH&YA) collection and adjusted for grade level in order to support ELC students’ reading skills and library engagement
• Provide short (5-10 minute) instruction sessions to ELC students by grade level as part of their weekly or bi-weekly library visits
• Assist the Learning & Research Services Librarian in delivering engaging library instruction sessions
• Provide reader’s advisory by grade & reading level for students browsing the CH&YA Collection during weekly or bi-weekly library visits
• Build knowledge of CH&YA collection in order to provide library book recommendations to ELC attendees based on reading level, interest, and/or class topics as shared by ELC teachers

Competencies to practice (core competencies gained though experience in this position):

• Active citizenship and community engagement
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Applied problem solving
• Digital literacy
• Innovation and creativity
• Oral and written communication
• Teamwork and leadership

Length of employment:
Typically, fall and spring terms, with option to return for the following year based on performance and position availability. Sometimes, additional work during winter (J-term) or summer may be available.

Supervisor name:
Michelle Lenox (Collections) and Stephanie Brown (Instruction)

Wage rate:
Library tier III: $17.55.

Required qualifications

• Experience and/or college coursework related to elementary education
• Self-motivation and reliability
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in performing complex, repetitive tasks

Desired qualifications (not required, but please share if you have any of these qualifications)

• Experience working or volunteering with elementary-aged children
• Experience and/or college coursework related to early literacy
• Experience working or volunteering in a library
• Familiarity with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
• Experience with using Canva or other design applications
• Experience with data entry, editing, or coding