Library Associate Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

LIBRARY
Library Associate - Young Adult Services
DEFINITION
Position is responsible for performing public and technical services for the Young Adult unit of the Library Department, including providing information, instruction, advice, and assistance, primarily to young adults and their parents or guardians, answering inquiries, requests, and complaints, performing circulation, catalog maintenance, and technical processing functions, conducting or assisting with programs, and providing assistance in other areas as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Provides individualized assistance to patrons of all ages and abilities, responding to informational requests on any topic through research or referral.
• Provides guidance on school assignments and instruction in effective research methods using print, electronic and online resources; instructs patrons in interpreting search results and evaluating informational content.
• Assists the Young Adult Librarian in the design and implementation of programs, activities and book groups for young adults.
• Provides recommendations to patrons and guardians in choosing appropriate reading materials for patrons of various ages, reading abilities, and interests. Promotes the value of reading.
• Assists the Young Adult Librarian with maintaining and promoting the library's college preparatory and career center materials.
• Provides information on library programs, procedures and policies to patrons; responds to all requests, inquiries, and/or complaints from patrons and adults, referring patrons to other departments as appropriate.
• Performs circulation procedures, checking out, discharging, renewing, recalling and routing library materials. Searches network database for materials requested by patrons, reserves materials with attention to format and informs patrons of their arrival.
• Registers new borrowers and instructs young patrons about borrowing privileges. Issues and collects charges for lost, damaged or overdue materials, reconciling patron and item records.
• Processes intra-network loans, retrieving and routing items and notifying patrons of their availability.
• Promotes quality public relations. Maintains a welcoming environment, attending to the organization and arrangement of physical surroundings. Designs promotional or seasonal displays and exhibits.
• Enters new item records in database catalog; prepares and organizes library materials for public use, ensuring quality and consistency; determines the replacement, repair or disposal of worn or damaged material.
• Participates in conducting age appropriate programs, activities and events; registers participants, designs and produces program materials. Plans and conducts craft and maker space programs for patrons of various ages.
• May provide assignments and instruction to lower level staff and volunteers. May act on behalf of the Young Adult or Children's Librarian in his/her absence. Participates in training seminars and staff meetings. May work with Staff Librarians on a variety of other related programs and services.
• Performs public service duties in other departments as required by staff absences or volume of service demands.
• Locks door in absence of Custodian.
• Performs similar or related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under general supervision. The employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently. The supervisor provides additional, specific instruction for new, difficult or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods. The employee shares unusual situations with the supervisor for advice and further instructions. Employee provides independent coverage for the service department.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
The employee, as a regular and continuing part of the job, leads other workers in accomplishing assigned work and also performs non-supervisory work that is usually of the same kind and levels as is done by the group led. The incumbent provides on-the-job training to new employees; reports to the supervisor on disciplinary problems, performance and training needs of employees; resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refers others to the supervisor; may approve leave for a few hours or for emergencies.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The nature of work assures that errors are detected in succeeding operations. Consequences of errors, data entry errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include time loss caused by back checking by others and poor customer relations.
JUDGMENT
The work involves numerous standardized practices, procedures, or general instructions that govern the work and in some cases may require additional interpretation. Judgment is needed to locate, select and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation or guideline. Frequently involves money.
COMPLEXITY
The work consists of a variety of duties which generally 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.
NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Relationships are primarily with co-workers 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.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Employee has access to sensitive, private and confidential information in the performance of their duties.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree required and from one up to three years of library experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS
Knowledge : A working knowledge of library operations, policies and procedures; knowledge of print, audio visual, and electronic resources, particularly for elementary school aged children.
Abilities : Ability to communicate effectively with children; ability to listen, analyze and respond appropriately to the needs of patrons, resolve conflicts with tact and diplomacy, maintain harmonious working relationships, and provide reference services and instruction to patrons; ability to manage multiple tasks through frequent interruptions, paying attention to details; ability to be flexible in adapting to change.
Skills : Computer, oral and written communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical library. Noise and disruptive behavior of patrons may be distracting. Incumbent may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to emergency situations or to attend special programs.
PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS
Physical Skills
Physical demands are required to perform much of the work. The work involves 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, office supplies, and office supplies and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
Motor Skills
Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal 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. Manual dexterity is required for processing materials, aminating, cutting, pasting, crafting, and similar activities.
Visual Skills
Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes and viewing a computer monitor.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required and from one up to three years of library experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements
Please send cover letter, resume and Town Application to:
Meredith Hartling, HR Generalist
801 Washington Street, 2nd Floor
Canton, MA 02021
Email: hr@town.canton.ma.us
Fax: 781-575-6602
AA/EEO
Miscellaneous Information
25 hours/week. Monday 1:30-5:30pm; Wednesday 1-9pm; Thursday & Friday 9:30am-5:30pm. Occasional Saturdays required.