Library Public Services Assistant

Niagara University is a liberal arts university, steeped in the Vincentian and Catholic traditions, with a total enrollment of nearly 4,300 students. Located just a few miles away from one of the world's premier tourism destinations, Niagara Falls, the university occupies a lovely campus overlooking the Niagara River gorge. Its close proximity to major cultural and business centers in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Toronto as well as the award-winning Niagara Wine Trail and several nearby cultural destinations make Niagara University an ideal place to work and live. If you'd like to know more, check out all of the NU Facts.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, the Public Services Assistant provides circulation and customer service assistance to patrons and acts as the building and student supervisor during evening and weekend shifts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Provides exemplary customer service.
2. Works regular shifts at the primary service point, overseeing building activity.
3. Supervises student employees.
4. Trains student employees.
5. Provides general Library and technology assistance and refers users to librarians or other departments depending on the complexity of the inquiry.
6. Provides oversight of the Library during evening and weekend hours. This can include (but is not limited to) opening and closing the building, reporting building maintenance and security issues, handling emergencies, and ensuring the orderliness of the building.
7. Provides circulation services and assists Library patrons with collection inquiries.
8. Ensures confidentiality of patron records.
9. Assists with shelving materials and collection maintenance projects.
10. Collaborates with other Library staff on programming and outreach.
11. Helps patrons use printers, the wireless network, and Library equipment. Troubleshoots equipment problems.
12. Performs other duties as assigned that contribute to the efficient and effective operation of the Library.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job duties. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

% of Time

60%: Provides customer and circulation services.

20%: Supervises student aides and monitors building operations.

10% Provides stack maintenance and shelves books.

10%: Completes projects and assignments.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to work late nights and weekends. Adjustment of regular schedule may be required during the semester.
2. Must be able to communicate effectively with others.
3. Able to present a positive attitude, work cooperatively as a team member, and place top priority on customer service.
4. Comfortable in proactively seeking out patrons to help in all areas of the Library.
5. Strong organizational and supervisory skills.
6. Ability to work accurately, with an attention to detail.
7. Ability to understand and utilize specialized Library software and equipment.
8. Must be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity and work with diverse students, faculty, staff, and community clientele.

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. Able to remain in a stationary position about 50% of the time and able to move around the building the other 50% of the time.
2. Able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a phone, calculator, copy machine, and printer.
3. Able to shelve books weighing up to three pounds and occasionally move a book cart weighing up to 50 pounds.

The ergonomic requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• High School diploma required with education, training and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.
• A minimum of one year of experience performing similar tasks is preferred.
• Library experience preferred.