Position Summary

In this service-oriented position you will be working under the supervision of the Borrower Services Supervisor and reporting to the regular library staff in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the Borrower Services department of Alloway Library. Borrower Services Assistants work at the Borrower Services counter as well as in the shelves and other collection areas of the library. Borrower Services Assistants are expected to respond to circulation-related inquiries. Reference and research related queries should be directed to the library’s professional staff.

About this Position

Borrower Services Assistants play an important role in the operation of Alloway Library working in a highly visible position where they interact with a broad range of people including fellow students, faculty, staff and community users. Assistants are expected to know the library circulation policies and will be required to apply them to ensure fair access to resources. Assistants are expected to know the procedures for handling, sorting and shelving a wide range of material. During closing shifts, Assistants play a key role in securing the building and preparing it for the next day. The library is an important service on campus; consequently a high level of commitment is required of student assistants to be present and prepared to work during assigned shifts.

Hours for this part-time position may vary and include work at any time during the library’s operating hours which may include evenings and weekends.

An extensive on-the-job training period is supplemented by personal study of the Policy and Procedure manual. Performance standards are based on knowledge and application of Alloway Library’s policies, customer satisfaction and established quality standards and productivity expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Read and implement applicable sections of the Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Accurately check-in and check-out library materials according to established policies and procedures.
• Assist patrons with inquiries about their library account, general library policies, and the location of library collections and facilities.
• Collect fee payments and process other financial transactions according to established policies and procedures.
• Accurately sort material for shelving.
• Shelf-read and carry out related housekeeping tasks to maintain order within the collections.
• Monitor and appropriately respond to security system alarms according to established policies and procedures.
• Assist with closing procedures, when applicable, to ensure the security of the building.
• Assist Borrower Services staff in carrying out assigned tasks pertinent to the operation of the library.

In the event of a library disaster recovery operation, student assistants may be designated as Work Unit Members on the Recovery or Salvage teams as outlined in the library’s Disaster Preparedness Manual.

Skills Required

Public service skills: Ability to meet the public in a friendly and courteous manner, excellent oral communication skills and an interest in serving all library users with enthusiasm and integrity.

Computer skills: General knowledge of menu-driven software. Accurate keyboarding and spelling are essential.

Personal skills: High level of personal initiative, dependability and commitment. Excellent time management skills are essential, as is the ability to work with stressed patrons. Attention to details in sorting alpha-numeric material is essential. Self-motivated individuals appreciate the challenges of working in an environment that can be very busy or very quiet.

Physical skills: Typically, Borrower Services assistants do most of their work standing. In the course of a shift, Borrower Services assistant may be required to:

• Reach up to shelves over 6’ above the floor
• Bend down to shelves less than 2” above the floor
• Push wheeled book carts weighing up to several hundred pounds when loaded
• Handle library material – a single book may weigh in excess of 5 pounds

Other Requirements

Access to transportation is an asset for employees living off-campus.

This job is open to eligible TWU/ACTS students only. Eligibility for application to this job is established by the Human Resources Associate for Student Employment.

Note

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of the supervising staff person, either in oral or written form.