Part-Time Senior Library Assistant

Metuchen Public Library serves a vibrant and diverse community with a mission to inform, enrich, and empower the public; supports intellectual freedom; encourages lifelong learning; and strengthens community engagement in a welcoming environment.

The Metuchen Public Library is seeking a dynamic, creative, and highly self-motivated individual to join our team. Potential candidates should expect to work closely with the library staff and the Library Director to support the overall library mission and vision.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Senior Librarian for User Services, the Senior Library Assistant assists with training and supervising support staff, managing aspects of circulation duties, processing, troubleshooting technology, handling circulation conflicts and issues, maintaining inventory records, assists with social media management, and supporting other departments with library services such as reference, readers advisory, and computer assistance as needed.

The position is 18-25 hours per week, including a minimum of two weekday evenings, and two Saturdays and two Sundays per month. Flexibility in regard to scheduling, is a plus.

Primary Responsibilities

Creates and maintains a welcoming, organized, accessible, and safe environment for patrons and staff.

Assists with daily operations of part-time staff.

Assists with inputs for the annual evaluations of part-time support staff.

Manages circulation-related financial tasks and generates library circulation statistics and reports.

Ensures all policies and procedures are understood and followed by support staff.

Manages all aspects of circulation duties including patron accounts, materials that are damaged, missing, lost, or claim returned.

Assists in processing and cataloging library materials and generates reports as needed.

Assists in selecting and ordering library supplies and maintains supply inventory.

Coordinates and assists in library projects among various departments including Summer Reading Programs, social media management, and others.

Provides information and reference services using print and online resources. Assists staff and the public in the understanding and use of these resources.

Assists and instructs patrons in the use of computers, printers, scanners, other library technologies as well as electronic and digital resources.

Performs other duties as assigned.

**Required Knowledge/Abilities **

Understand and follow library policies and procedures, as well as library functions of technical services and user services.

Analyze service and resource problems and evaluate alternatives and courses of action to resolve problems.

Ability to communicate clearly, courteously, and effectively with library patrons and staff.

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Ability to set work priorities and to work, both independently and collaboratively.

Ability to assist in troubleshooting and resolving personal conflicts and issues.

Bend, push, and lift up to 25 lbs. including emptying book bins, packing books, and handling shipment of new books.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree.

Prior experience as a library assistant in a public library with supervisory experience preferred.

Proficiency in computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and Google Workspace preferred.

Must successfully pass a six-month probationary period.

Must be a New Jersey resident at least within one year of employment. “New Jersey First Act” (P.L. 2011, c. 70)

Compensation: starting at $20.00 per hour commensurate with experience and qualification

Interested candidates, please email a resume, cover letter, and two references to Rebecca FrancoMartin, Library Director, at [email protected].

Metuchen Public Library is located at 480 Middlesex Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08840. Applications will be accepted until the job is filled. Only candidates selected for interviews will be notified. Employment offers are conditional upon a successful background check.