Library Assistant II | Youth Services Department

Nature of Work

This part-time position involves paraprofessional library work providing reference information and guidance to GRPL patrons with an overall emphasis on providing professional customer service.

The main priority of this position is direct public service and involves helping patrons access library resources in-person, over the phone, and via email. Work is performed under the general supervision of a librarian and may involve coordinating the work of other library employees and volunteers. Other functions include assisting librarians with collection development, programming, presentation of programs, and creating displays.

This particular position has an emphasis on working in a youth services capacity, so applicants need to be passionate and excited working with children, families, and adult caregivers. Applicants should enjoy engaging with the public and leading activities such as storytime and programs and classes for youth of all ages.

This position is regularly scheduled at the Main Library:

Monday: 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Tuesday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Thursday: 3:00 - 9:00 pm

Alternating Fridays/Saturdays: 9:00 am

• 3:00 pm

Occasionally required

• Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Examples of work:

• Provides engaging public service to library patrons in-person, over the phone, and via email; assists patrons with periodical, book, and database searches; assists with interlibrary loan; provides books-on-hold service; uses other basic reference tools.

• Assists with planning and implementation of programs and services.

• Prepares and presents programming, including storytime, in an engaging, entertaining manner according to GRPL's curriculum and standards.

• Develops meaningful relationships with families and helps build community among program participants.

• Represents GRPL at community events and outreach opportunities.

• Develops bibliographies, pathfinders, and finding aids in support of Readers' Advisory and reference services.

• Provides instruction to patrons in groups or individually.

• Maintains the inventory of library holdings and updates the inventory as needed.

• Maintains statistics for branches and special programs.

• Creates and maintains book displays; participates in programming efforts; visits schools and other agencies; and speaks to groups about library materials.

• Maintains records, correspondence, inventories and other general office functions.

• May be assigned to assist at different branches as necessary.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature as assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience

• High school diploma or a GED is required; a college degree is preferred.

• 2 years of customer service experience, library experience, cash handling experience, office experience, or some equivalent combination.

• Previous public library experience is preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish is preferred.

Other Necessary Qualifications

Ability to:

• Provide consistently friendly, accurate, and efficient service to GRPL patrons and staff; ability to make independent and reliable decisions related to patron experience.

• Assist and instruct patrons around hardware and software issues as they relate to library resources and public workstations.

• Conduct storytimes in front of varying groups and demographics.

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers and the public; work collaboratively.

• Manage emotions in the workplace and maintain professional composure and judgement.

• Communicate effectively and professionally with diverse groups both verbally and in writing.

• Add, subtract, and perform basic accounting calculations accurately and efficiently.

• Set and meet priorities; adaptability and judgment to reprioritize as needed throughout the course of a shift.

• Perform standardized processes accurately and consistently; follow procedures in processing forms and other communication.

• Make independent and efficient decisions and work without close supervision.

• Maintain an organized and effective work process; flexibility to adapt to changes and updates to processes.

• Maintain library records and prepare reports.

• Work 20-24 hours per week; work evenings and weekends.

• Work at various desks and locations.

• Learn GRPL's patron experience standards and library policies to provide basic account management, reference services, reader's advisory, technology support, and library information.

• Apply patron privacy standards in a wide variety of circumstances with internal and external stakeholders.

• Work with supervisor and process feedback regarding job performance.

Understanding of:

• General office procedures, processes, and equipment; ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer workstations, typical electronic devices, cash register and POS systems, and software.

• Early childhood learning, literacy and Every Child Ready to Read philosophies.

• Modern library methods and techniques.

• Grand Rapids community, books, and authors.

Other Information

Please note the following:

• A cover letter is required

• Applicants should attach a cover letter in PDF format that describes their interest in the position, their interest in working at GRPL, and how these interests connect with personal or professional goals.

• All communication regarding this position will be done via email; it is your responsibility to ensure that your email address is up-to-date on your account profile

• To be eligible for this position, you must apply through the City of Grand Rapids Job Opportunities page here.

Please visit the library's jobs page for a list of other open positions at Grand Rapids Public Library.

All inquiries related to this posting should be directed to:

Grand Rapids Public Library

111 Library St NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-988-5400 | jobs@grpl.org

GRPL proudly promotes diversity and inclusion in employment, and strives to maintain a workplace culture where respect and positive recognition of differences are cultivated.

Grand Rapids Public Library provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, height, weight, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. GRPL will make reasonable accommodations for employees and job applicants with disabilities.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, transfer, training, promotion, discipline, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and benefits, as well as work-related events and activities.