"Library Assistant"

Position Summary

Located 45 minutes from the Nations Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among Americas top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

Under the supervision of the Library Coordinator, Library Assistants provide supportive library services at the circulation desk. They help answer general inquiries from customers about the library and CSM. The position assists the coordinator with all administrative duties and assists with the maintenance and use of library equipment including printers and scanners. This position is entry level and requires the use of basic skills acquired through prior work experience. The work requires strong communication skills, initiative, and independent judgement.

Reports to: Library Coordinator

The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range advertised.This position is open until filled.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

70% Customer Service/Administrative Support

• Provides coverage at the service desk, assists customers, answers telephone inquiries, takes messages, and handles general inquiries about the Library and CSM.
• Locates and obtains library materials for customers (students, staff, faculty and community members) from multiple sources including in-house, other campus libraries, area libraries, and inter-library loans.
• Assist customers with inquiries related to a variety of online resources and print-based materials as appropriate.
• Refers customers to the appropriate personnel or department as required.
• Refers reference and research questions to the Library Coordinator and assists with reference and research questions when the Library Coordinator is unavailable.
• Demonstrates the use of Library materials, equipment and computers to customers as needed.
• Contact customers by phone, e-mail and other written communications about holds, overdue materials, and other questions and problems as necessary.
• Produces ID cards for students, staff and faculty.
• Troubleshoots problems with computerized equipment within the library, including computers, printers, and copiers. Notifies the appropriate departmental staff of actions required or repairs needed.
• Performs online circulation functions using Follett software.

25% Office Duties/Inventories

• Advises the Library Coordinator of problems related to the daily operation of the library service desk.
• Assists Library Coordinator with check-in, labeling and shelving faculty reserve items and maintaining items in the reserve collection.
• Performs check-in, labeling and shelving of other library materials.
• Assists in collection maintenance (shelving, straightening, shifting, shelf checks) of the campuss print and audio-visual collections.
• Performs weekly check-in and maintenance of periodical in the campus librarys collection using an excel workbook.
• Provides clerical support for Library Coordinator as needed.
• Assists in inventory and notifies Library Coordinator of supply requirements for the efficient running of library operations (ID card supplies, office supplies, student printer paper, etc. etc.).
• Replenishes supplies in printers and copiers on a regular basis or as needed.
• Establishes and maintains files and procedures to support all acquisitions functions.
• Maintains printers, copiers, other office and library equipment on a regular basis or as needed.

5% Maintenance of collections and library spaces

• Assists in maintaining the general order of the library by relating policies and procedures to customers and notifying the proper staff of problems when necessary.
• Opens and closes campus library when necessary.
• Light cleaning duties as assigned or as needed (dusting, emptying trash and recycling, cleaning tables and computer workstations, sweeping and vacuuming in and around tables, and pushing in chairs around tables and computer workstations).

Additional Duties:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Training

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• 1 year of customer service experience

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Associates
• 2 years of library service experience or equivalent

Licenses, Certifications, or Additional Requirements:

• none

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to promote positive environment for students, staff, and faculty.
• Ability to resolve customer issues/problems in a manner that exceeds client expectations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate excellent work ethic and integrity.
• Ability to work seamlessly with a variety of people.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is mostly sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.