Part-Time Library Assistant (Union/AFSCME)

SALARY RANGE: $26.782-$34.029/HOUR

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

**Part-time 20 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. **

Schedule: Varies

NATURE OF WORK:

The Evanston Public Library Lifelong Learning and Literacy team is seeking a part-time Library Assistant who is eager to share their knowledge and skills. The ideal candidate will be innovative, tech-savvy, creative, dedicated to excellent customer service, team-oriented, passionate about working with all members of the community and be committed to exploring the frontiers of what equitable access to resources means to Evanston. This position is responsible for providing responsive and high quality programming and reader’s advisory services to adults at the Evanston Public Library.

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

• Assists library users, primarily adults, with the use of library collections, services, equipment and facilities, including help in accessing online resources and downloading library media.
• Plans, presents, and evaluates innovative programming for adults, both in person, virtually and hybrid inside the library and at other locations in the community.
• Carefully interviews library users to determine what information is required and provides clear, accurate and timely answers to all patron inquiries. Offers appropriate options for further inquiries, including referrals to other library departments or other organizations.
• Conducts searches using online and print readers’ advisory tools to suggest titles, read-alikes, and find information for adult literature.  Conducts searches for specific pieces of music, film or video, and general study materials on film or audio. Determines availability of materials for Interlibrary Loan requests and orders via on-line databases.
• Develops and maintains in-house databases and/or indexes for adults, educational and other resources; develops and maintains reader’s advisory aides and “frequently asked questions”.
• Maintains current knowledge of the Library’s adult collections and electronic resources, keeping abreast of industry changes and updates. Reads, listens to, and views a wide variety of literature and media.
• Promotes library collections, services and activities to a racially and socio-economically diverse urban/suburban community by creating flyers and posters, bibliographies, pathfinders, social media posts (e.g.Twitter or Facebook), blog entries, and reviews.
• Under the supervision and guidance of librarian(s), may suggest materials for acquisition.
• Conducts tours of the Library for classes and other groups of adults, their educators, and community partners.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED
• Must possess at least one year of customer service related working experience
• Must possess two (2) or more years of demonstrated, direct work experience programming with adults.
• Course work in a related field such as readers advisory, collections, or library services to adults preferred.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

  • Considerable knowledge of a broad range of literature and authors, films, music, and current events. Must be conversant with social media and personal mobile technologies currently in use.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Spanish language proficiency is highly desirable.

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

  • Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

  • Ability to prepare business letters, expositions, summaries, and reports, using 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 work is in a primarily sedentary, with the ability to occasionally use force to exert up to 25 pounds. The capacity to lift, carry or otherwise move objects, books, materials, etc., and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

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:

Work is performed under the supervision of the Lifelong Learning & Literacy Manager.  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, and for identifying and utilizing the appropriate resources to resolve a problem or situation.  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 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

Structured Oral Interview                       Category Group                                    One Year                        

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To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.

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 Human Resources Division at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).