Library Assistant

Summary: Mount Vernon City Library seeks enthusiastic and motivated individuals for part‑time Library Assistant positions to support day‑to‑day operations and deliver excellent service to the community.

• Provides impressive customer service, always thinking about the patrons and how best to serve them.
• Is friendly and warm, enjoying helping people and making their day.
• Enjoys staying on the move; the job is sometimes physical and busy.
• Builds relationships, greeting people, registering new members, answering account questions, recommending books, and showcasing library offerings.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment, sharing ideas on committees and staff‑led teams.
• Shows curiosity, connecting people to the right resources and continually learning to enhance library and community knowledge.
• Communicates effectively with diverse groups, both externally and internally.
• Has flexible availability, especially evenings and weekends.

• Provides customer service at the circulation desk, curbside, and via phone/email; creates new accounts, renews and updates them, issues internet access codes, and processes payments.
• Responds to general questions and explains library policies and procedures; assists patrons in locating materials and using library resources; submits patron purchase requests.
• Assists patrons with library technology including web browsers, databases, printers, and copiers.
• Collects and checks in returned materials, submits items for maintenance, and repositions out‑of‑place items.
• Provides readers with suggestions through book lists, displays, and website carousels.
• Participates in evaluating current material collections and recommends collection development and purchases.
• Assists in developing, setting up, and participating in events and programs.
• Performs a variety of administrative duties and assists other staff as needed.
• Attends and participates in library meetings and training sessions as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines: High school diploma or GED equivalent plus some previous customer service or library‑related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• General library policies, procedures, and equipment.
• Customer service principles, practices, and etiquette.
• Records maintenance and retention policies and procedures.
• Library cataloging and Dewey decimal systems.
• Money handling practices.
• Library software systems and technology resources.
• Maintaining accurate records and filing systems.
• Interacting tactfully and professionally with city staff, outside agencies, and the public.
• Handling and maintaining the confidentiality of patron information.
• Organizing and prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines.
• Completing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Typing and entering data with speed and accuracy.
• Preparing clear and concise communications, reports, and technical documents.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

• Provides excellent customer service to the general public; assists in preparing and presenting programs for adults and seniors.
• Promotes reading and use of library services through displays, booklists, bulletin boards, and other activities.
• Assists librarian in maintaining the adult collection and offers advanced help with adult and senior readers’ advisory.
• Shelves print and non‑print material; keeps the library tidy and attractive.
• Knowledgeable about all library services, resources, and programs and how to access them from inside and outside the library.
• Assists patrons internally or externally with questions, provides information about policies and procedures, researches, responds to questions, and resolves inquiries.
• Assists patrons with instruction on using library computer stations and basic computer literacy, including online resources, eBooks, and office software.

• Provides excellent customer…