Library Access Services Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

The Library Access Services Assistant is primarily responsible for supporting various aspects of the library’s public and access services activities. This position will be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as part of the regular schedule

They will play a key public facing role in interacting with a diverse group of library patrons, which include Lucas Museum staff, external researchers, and walk-in visitors.

Working closely with the Access Services Coordinator and reporting to the Library Director, the Library Access Services Assistant will also be responsible for maintaining and organizing library public spaces and materials. They will also perform significant physical duties such as unpacking and packing shipments, shelving books, climbing stairs and ladders, and moving loaded book trucks.

Provides patron services to museum staff, external researchers and visitors, including answering routine directional and circulation questions, helping patrons locate or request materials, scanning books for in-house circulation, checking in/out books, paging books and materials, and holds requests

Gathers and shelves books and other library materials, including arranging displays and ensuring that all areas are ready for use

Accurately shelve, shift, and maintain library materials using both Library of Congress (LC) and Dewey Decimal classification systems

Maintains the physical library space by organizing and returning furniture, tidying public and staff areas, removing small amounts of trash, and helping ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for patrons and staff

Engage in physical activity: must be able to move heavy items such as boxes of books and equipment, frequently moving boxes weighing up to 50 lbs. Must be able to move about the museum, library and other areas, ascend/descend stairs, and perform tasks that require frequent physical movement throughout the library

Monitors and replenishes supplies in assigned service area

Opens and closes the library

Assists with visitor flow by monitoring and managing lines, directing crowds, and helping maintain a safe, orderly, and welcoming environment during busy periods, events, and peak visitation times

Performs other duties related to the day-to-day Library operations as needed

Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.

Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.

Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.

Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.

Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 8 hours per shift.
• Ability to move throughout multiple Museum locations, including galleries, theaters, outdoor spaces, and other public areas.
• Ability to maintain an active and visible presence while providing exceptional guest service.
• Ability to work in a high-volume, public-facing environment with large groups of guests, including school groups, tours, special events, and peak attendance periods, while maintaining professionalism, situational awareness, and composure.
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, including wheelchairs, stanchions, signage, guest service equipment, and other operational materials.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with guests and colleagues in person, by telephone, and over two-way radio.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions.
• Ability to maintain awareness of guest activity and surrounding conditions while monitoring galleries, queues, and public spaces.

High School graduate or equivalent education

1-2 years or more experience in library, archives, and/or museum best practices

Strong customer service skills with the ability to respond to requests and inquiries from a diverse group of patrons in a tactful, courteous and effective way

Strong organizational and time-management, punctual and deadline driven

Excellent listening skills with the ability to understand and follow directions

Proven ability to work collaboratively as a team player, and independently

Ability to be responsive to any communications in a timely and professional manner

Demonstrated capacity to take direction effectively and contribute positively to a cooperative work environment

Adept using computers, including Microsoft Office Suite and library databases, and able to assist others with smartphones, apps, and basic digital tasks

Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods throughout the workday; ascend and descend stairs; bend; and lift and move boxes of books and other materials weighing up to 50 lbs.

Ability to perform tasks that involve repetitive motions, such as scanning barcodes, shelving books, and pushing book carts. Working knowledge shelving in both LC and Dewey call numbers

Bilingual ability is a plus, along with a demonstrated sensitivity to and respect for diverse cultures and backgrounds