Library Assistant (Union-Afscme)

Salary Range: $25.2447-$32.0757/hour

• Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for the range.

Schedule

37.5 hours per week, including some evenings and weekend hours

NATURE OF WORK:

The Innovation and Digital Learning team is seeking a full-time Library Assistant to provide responsive and high quality service at the Technology Desk at the Main Library and to help provide innovative programs for teens and emerging adults (ages 18-24). The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, dedicated to excellent customer service, team-oriented, and passionate about working with all members of the community. This position is responsible for assisting patrons with the public computers, printers and application software, answering questions, providing directions, and helping with readers advisory for our Young Adult Collection. This position is also responsible for planning and executing innovative programs, including technology, arts and STEM/maker programs for emerging adults (ages 18-24) and other audiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):

• Assists patrons at the Technology and Teen Loft desks with public equipment including, but not limited to: public computers, printers, wireless network, scanners, photocopiers, and fax machines.

• Assists patrons with public computer software, including, but not limited to: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, filling out online forms, and creating, editing, saving and retrieving documents.

• Troubleshoots issues with equipment and software.

• Assists patrons with the library's public computer reservation system.

• Assists patrons with meeting room reservations.

• Handles incoming phone calls with a high level of customer service.

• Provides exceptional customer service both in-person and by phone.

• Plans, presents and evaluates innovative hands-on programming for emerging adults (ages 18 - 24), teens and other audiences. Programming may relate to technology, STEM, making, the arts and more.

• Assist patrons and colleagues with maker equipment, including 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl machines, sewing machines, and other technology as it is acquired.

• Provide library assistance in the area of filing and shelving on an as needed basis.

• Answers general information and directional questions.

• Completes training as assigned, including but not limited to racial equity training, implicit bias, trauma-informed care, serving homeless populations, and applies the concepts learned in these trainings to their work at the Library.

• Maintains current knowledge of the Library's teen collection and electronic resources, keeping abreast of industry trends and innovations. Read and listen to a wide variety of teen literature.

• May work on special projects as assigned, including assisting with programming.

• May perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

• This position requires a High School diploma or GED and

• Must possess two (2) years of customer service related working experience.

• Willingness and courage to explore new ideas and emerging technologies, create, and innovate.

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

• Ability to project a helpful and approachable demeanor, and to remain patient, calm and focused in a busy and occasionally stressful work environment.

• Ability to clearly explain and demonstrate computer procedures and new technologies to inexperienced users.

• Fluency with current and trending technologies and the ability to learn and adapt quickly to changing technologies, equipment and procedures.

• Experience with creating videos, video editing, graphic design, electronic music, video gaming, video game design, Cricut equipment, coding, or creative writing is strongly desired.

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to use Internet search engines, word processing software, email, online computer catalogs, and Windows operating systems.

• Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably in public.

• Spanish language proficiency is highly desirable.

• Ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and establish and maintain relationships with library patrons who may need assistance or support.

• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form, while dealing with several abstract and concrete variables.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of customers and staff throughout the Library, as well as outside the organization.

• Ability to multitask many variable duties, requests, and responsibilities.

• Ability to prepare business letters, expositions, summaries, and reports, using a prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, dictation, and style.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

The ability to work while standing as well as bodily movement associated with bending, kneeling, stretching and reaching associated with checking in/out books. The ability to occasionally use force to exert up to 40 pounds. The ability to lift, carry or otherwise move objects, books, materials, etc. using up to 40 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

The ability to stand for at least four hours at a time.

The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from indoor temperature changes.

There are no environmental hazards associated with this classification.

SUPERVISION:

Under the supervision of the Innovation and Digital Literacy Manager, work is performed with the guidance of managerial staff. The individual has contact with other Library institutions and staff at all levels, and uses the necessary resources to meet and achieve goals and/or objectives. Work is assigned through specific projects and customer/clientele requests. The employee is responsible for prioritizing work tasks for subordinates and self, and for identifying and utilizing the appropriate resources to resolve a problem or situation and/or research and analyze specific requests. Work performance is reviewed through observation, completion of projects, status reports, conferences and meetings. Guidance is provided through the City Code, departmental policies, City operating practices and procedures, and other resources as applicable to specific projects assigned. Work is evaluated at least annually, with respect to customer service, problem-solving ability and performance of employee and Teen Services team in accordance with this classification standard.

PUBLIC CONTACT:

The employee has regular and frequent contact with the general public.

SELECTION METHOD TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST Qualifications Assessment Category Group Two Years Structured Oral Interview

Chosen candidates will be subject to a qualifying pre-employment medical examination and drug/alcohol screen.

The City of Evanston is committed to making all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Any citizen needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact the Facilities Management Office at (847) 448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).