Library Technical Assistant - Hamden Public Library

Library Technical Assistant - Hamden Public Library. Position Definition: Performs responsible and varied paraprofessional library duties or administrative clerical work. Assists patrons in using library services and facilities. May select and/or maintain materials of a specific unit or library division. Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from a professional Librarian. Supervision Exercised: Provides general or task supervision to library clerks, pages, and seasonal employees or volunteers. Examples of Essential Job Duties: Plans work according to established procedures. Prioritizes tasks within work assignment. Performs work in special unit, including cataloging, children's, circulation, media, reference, branch services or as assigned. Maintains specific materials, supplies or equipment. Performs circulation desk duties, including charging and discharging library materials, and registering new patrons; answers telephone calls and provides information as necessary. Places books and loan materials on reserve as requested. Maintains circulation desk area in neat and functional conditions. Provides backup assistance in other library areas as required. Receives new collection materials, i.e., books, documents, music cassettes, CD's CD-ROMs, videos, DVDs and talking books, periodicals, etc. Reconciles materials received with purchase orders to assure accuracy of shipment. Enters library materials into database, bibliographic and holdings information. Copy cataloging and editing of MARC records. Physically processes all audio-visual materials for circulation. Assists patrons in the use of the library's catalogue and reference materials, answers reference questions as able; locates information or guides patrons to source materials. Assists patrons in use of computers and equipment, including database and Internet searching. Assists patrons in use of reference materials and public access catalogs and other library sources. Refers patrons as necessary to Reference Librarians. Assists children and students in the use of the library's catalogue and reference materials, answers reference questions; locates information or guides children to source materials. Assists children and students in use of computer system to locate books and materials, to access Internet and CD ROM reference sources. May lead story hours, library tours, craft programs, and related events to encourage reading, viewing and listening skills. Refers children and students to Children's Librarian as necessary. Prepared materials in promoting use of library, including posters, newsletters and exhibits. Processes books and materials for mailing in the interlibrary loan program. Maintains records of outgoing and incoming materials. Maintains inventory of library materials and supplies. Interacts with professional staff in maintaining Library collection by recommending or selecting new and replacement books, periodicals and other materials. Examples of Incidental Duties: May lead story hours; library tours, craft programs, and related events to encourage reading, viewing and listening skills when assigned to Children's unit. Relieves other employees as directed by supervisor, including responsibility for a unit in temporary absence of professional librarian. Interviews candidates for Page positions and provides on-the-job training to Pages and Clerks. Minimum Qualifications Required: An Associates Degree in Library Science, or two (2) years' experience in public library work, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: A working knowledge of library principles and practices is required. Must be able to apply the principles of library science to resolve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Must be able to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagrammatic and schedules form. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide all units of measure, and compute ratios, rates and percentages. Must acquire a proficiency in library computer applications and have a general working knowledge of other interfacing departmental applications. Must acquire a proficiency in department specific applications and have a general knowledge of integrated software such as Microsoft Office and its applications, including Word and Excel, and be able to utilize the Town's e-mail system, or be able to acquire these skills within a limited training period as determined by department needs. Must be able to relate to and have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with library staff, children and adult patrons. Must have a general knowledge of library reference methods and procedures. Must be able to perform story telling and other presentations, and provide how to use the library instructions to classes. Must have working knowledge of children's literature and school reading programs. License or Certificate: A Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator's license is desirable. Applications and copies of the job description are available in the Personnel/Civil Service Office from 8:30 - 4:30 PM daily.Closing date: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 4:00 PM.