Library Assistant - Children's Services, Northborough Library; Northborough

Library Assistant - Children's Services, Northborough Free Library (Northborough)

The Northborough Free Library is seeking enthusiastic and creative candidates for a part-time (19-hours per week) Library Assistant for our Children's Department! This position must be available to work Tuesday evenings as well as Saturdays (guaranteed one weekend off per month).

This position is responsible for providing research and reader’s advisory assistance at the Children’s Desk, delivering programs and story times for children ages 0-12, assists in developing and maintaining collection materials, and provides administrative support to the Children’s Librarian.

• Assist patrons with research and reader’s advisory questions, provide instruction on the use of library technology, databases, and catalog to children and their caregivers. Provide coverage for other library departments as necessary.
• Develop, promote, and conduct programs and story times as directed by the Children’s Librarian.
• Develop content for the library's website and social media accounts.
• Assist in selecting, evaluating, cataloging, promoting, and maintaining electronic and print collections as assigned by the Director.
• Assist in contacting school librarians, teachers, and childcare professionals regarding special services, needs, or programs.
• Assist with Library opening and closing.
• Prepare various reports, assist with grant writing, and perform special research projects as requested by the Children’s Librarian.
• Perform other related job duties as required.

The work consists of a variety of duties which follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations, or guidelines. The sequence of work and/or the procedures followed vary according to the nature of the transaction and/or the information involved, or sought, in a particular situation.

Judgment is needed to locate, select, and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation, or guideline.

Relationships are primarily with co-workers, vendors and the public involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines in order to render service, plan or coordinate work efforts, or resolve operating problems. Other regular contacts are with service recipients and employees of outside organizations. More than ordinary courtesy, tact and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints or deal with hostile, uncooperative or uninformed persons.

Employee has access to some confidential and sensitive information in the performance of their duties.

Physical

Skills:

Work involved periods of standing, with intermittent periods of reaching, stooping, and walking. May be required to lift or move objects such as book trucks, boxes of books or supplies, and equipment weighing up to 15 pounds.

Motor

Skills:

Duties require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment.

Visual

Skills:

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes, viewing a computer monitor, and scanning book labels on shelves.

Successful candidates will possess strong organizational skills, superior customer service skills, and the ability to interact with and instruct members of the general public. This position must be available to work Tuesday evenings as well as Saturdays (guaranteed one weekend off per month). Requires an Associate’s degree or equivalent, and 1 year of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and experience.

A Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Must have a working knowledge of the principals and practices of a public library. Must have experience working with children, strong customer service skills, an interest in children’s literature, and the ability to create engaging programming for children and families.

Knowledge:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of a public…