Library Associate

Library Associate (Hourly) – City of Chula Vista

Lead and perform a wide variety of complex customer service and library duties in a public library setting; assist Library guests in effective use of the Library's resources, collections and programs; provide technical training to guests and staff as needed; perform related duties as assigned.

This recruitment is for a part‑time, non‑benefited position limited to 9,190 hours of employment in a fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) with an average of less than 30 service hours per work week. Hours may vary per week, dependent upon the department’s staffing needs. Unclassified hourly employees are paid on an hourly or per diem basis and shall not be eligible for benefits nor be subject to the Civil Service Rules.

Although hourly employees are at‑will, they are still subject to all other City policies and procedures.

• Greet guests and provide directional assistance; explain library circulation policies and procedures to patrons; assist them with check‑out, computer, printer, or other equipment problems.
• Check patron status to verify registration information; issue library cards; calculate and collect fines and other charges for overdue, lost or damaged books or audio/visual materials.
• Contact patrons regarding overdue items, books and materials that are received; respond to patrons’ requests for information and materials; assist guests with basic reference questions as needed.
• Refer more difficult reference to appropriate professional staff members; assist library guests with utilizing public access computers effectively including registering, reserving, printing, and accessing data and office applications.
• Check library books and materials in and out using a computerized on‑line system; assist and advise guests in the use of library equipment and resources.
• Set up circulation desk for daily activities; prepare cash drawer and desk supplies; record, balance, and verify daily receipts.
• Maintain records and files related to library service activities and projects; prepare a variety of periodic and special library processing and statistical reports.
• Receive, verify and release materials for on‑line reserve requests; unpack, check, and sort daily book shipments and distribute as indicated.
• Train library aides, volunteers, and less experienced staff as needed; receive returned books and materials, review due dates and examine items for damages; sort returned materials for return to local shelves or for shipment to other library locations.
• Operate standard office equipment and perform general clerical and typing work; order supplies; conduct story hours and assist with guest library programs.
• Perform reader’s advisory assistance to guests using local materials, online resources, and other appropriate tools; review materials and recommend additions and deletions to collections; withdraw materials as needed per established guidelines.
• Organize work, set priorities, and follow up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work.
• Refer difficult or unusual problems to appropriate supervisory and/or professional staff members.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co‑workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer services; perform other related duties as assigned.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Bachelor's degree (120 units) with major coursework in Liberal Arts, Library Information Systems, or related field; and at least one year of full‑time paraprofessional library experience or two years of increasingly responsible full‑time customer public service experience.
• Associate’s degree (60 units) with major coursework in Liberal Arts, Library Information Systems, or related field; and at least two years of full‑time paraprofessional library experience or three years of increasingly responsible full‑time customer public service experience.
• Completion of a minimum two‑year coursework culminating in…