The Henrietta Hankin Branch Library in Chester Springs, PA is seeking a creative, innovative part-time library assistant to work in the youth services and reference departments. The successful candidate will be dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the high standard of information and customer service established by the Library.

The person in this position will help customers find materials, place holds and navigate our website. Problem solving, managing phone requests and following procedures for each department are integral parts of daily activities. The ability to provide excellent customer service is vital.

Requirements/Qualifications: High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED). Some post-secondary education preferred. Creativity, flexibility and genuine enjoyment of working with the public. Excellent organizational and verbal skills. Ability to work independently with attention to detail. Capable of handling stressful situations.

Physical abilities: Handle, lift, or move library materials weighing up to 25 lbs.; stand at a computer terminal for up to 4 hours; wheel book trucks weighing up to 125 lbs.; and stand, sit, walk, stoop or reach within a confined area.

All library positions require the following criminal background and child abuse clearances: Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP); Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services (Child Abuse); and Fingerprint based federal criminal history submitted through the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent (FBI).

Criminal background check is required.

State Child Abuse Clearance is required.

All employees of the Chester County Library are considered a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse under the Child Protective Services Law (Title 23 Pa. C.S.A. Chapter 63).

Essential duties, tasks and accountabilities will vary by library unit and may include the following:

• Issue borrowers' library identifications.
• Locate and check out materials to patrons.
• Inspect returned materials for damage.
• Compute, record, and receive overdue fines.
• Review records to compile list of overdue books, and issue overdue notices to borrowers.
• Process and maintain reserve materials and interlibrary loans.
• Sort returned materials according to classification code and need for repair, and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Repair materials, collect and prepare materials for binding, and maintain binding records.
• Check orders for new materials against existing collection, and prepare and expedite ordering.
• Prepare new materials for circulation, including property stamping, security stripping, and coding.
• Sort and shelve new materials.
• Enter cataloging data in library automated online system, or file cards in card catalog.
• Answer inquiries of a non-professional nature and refer persons requiring professional assistance to librarian.
• Assist patrons in using electronic equipment.
• Select, download, and verify bibliographic records from national and local databases.
• Update computer records, as requested.
• Answer phones.
• Check-in and process mail.
• Enter and update patron data entry into online catalog.
• Produce patron notices for all County libraries.
• Enter and update patron data entry into the online catalog.
• Produce patron notices for all County libraries.
• Serve as a trainer for new hires and mentor at the Circulation Desk.
• Operate credit card machine.
• Assist with Library opening when needed.
• Assist with creating daily schedules and ensure there is adequate coverage.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

• Ensure that PCC computer and printer hardware are in good operating condition at all times.
• Assist the public and other library staff in using computers, scanners, DVD/CD-writers and printers.
• Troubleshoot computer hardware and software problems.
• Maintain computers, as needed (e.g., install and upgrade software and hardware, remove temporary files, etc.).
• Evaluate and track effectiveness of current hardware and software systems.
• Offer advice regarding purchasing and upgrading decisions.
• Collect PCC statistics from the weekly PCC usage schedule and print statistics.
• Perform other tasks and services for the department and the library as time permits and according to individual skills and abilities.
• Set-up the laptop, projector and smartboard for PCC public and staff classes and assist instructor with questions about PCs.
• Check-in circulating software and troubleshoot problems with software. Also, get new software packages ready for circulation by working with the Technical Services Department.
• This position supports 17 IBM PCs and one Macintosh computer.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Basic office skills (typing, filing, answering phones, etc.).
• Some previous experience working in library with computerized systems.
• Some experience working with bibliographic resources on-line.
• Criminal background check.
• Child abuse clearance.

• Knowledge of library operations.
• Customer service skills.
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Word skills
• Basic Excel skills
• Basic Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Computer Services Department / Public Computer Center (PCC)
  Advanced Word skills
  
• Advanced Excel skills
• Advanced Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Advanced Internet skills
• PhotoShop
• Mac skills