Library Materials Assistant

Pay Range: $46,484 - $52,290 annually

Placement on salary range determined by relevant experience presented in application materials.

Position Summary
Hillsboro Public Library is excited to announce an opportunity to join our team as a Library Materials Assistant (LMA). We are seeking enthusiastic, friendly, and motivated individuals to contribute to the vibrancy of our City and Library. LMAs play a crucial role in our library’s materials movement team, handling tasks such as shelving library materials (books, DVDs, magazines, etc.), locating requested items, and processing incoming materials to provide efficient service to our customers.

Our Library Materials Movement team consists of dedicated individuals who work diligently behind the scenes to sort, shelve, and organize materials. Additionally, team members assist library patrons by providing outstanding customer service while carrying out their responsibilities on the service floor. As an LMA, you will collaborate with our volunteer teams, contributing to training efforts and ensuring a welcoming environment in line with our mission of 'For Everyone/Para Todos.'

We are currently seeking to fill one Full-Time LMA to be based at our Brookwood Branch. However, we will utilize this recruitment to create an eligibility list to fill future part-time and full-time staff vacancies for Library Materials Assistant positions. The eligibility list will remain valid for a period of 9 months from the closing date of posting or until the list has been exhausted.

Our ideal candidate
The Library Materials Assistant position is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain experience in a professional setting and develop skills for potential advancement within the Library or City. This role is well-suited for those starting their career in customer service or exploring the world of public libraries. Candidates with backgrounds in warehouse, inventory, library, or retail may find this role to be a seamless transition. However, we welcome and provide training for individuals with a passion for helping others and a keen attention to organization and details.

The work of a Library Materials Assistant is ongoing, involving continuous movement of materials as patrons return, request, and check out items. You will be actively engaged throughout the Library, whether in the 'back of house,' sorting materials, or in the 'front of house,' organizing and providing customer service to our patrons.

What You'll Be Doing
Every day, Library Materials Assistants play a pivotal role in ensuring that books and other library materials swiftly reach the next patron, facilitating prompt access for all library users.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities Include:

• Shelve with Precision: Organize books, DVDs, and other materials alphabetically or numerically, maintaining a neat and tidy appearance on the shelves.
• Assist Patrons: Provide support to patrons as they navigate library spaces, offering guidance and assistance.
• Process Daily Deliveries: Handle daily deliveries of materials from other libraries, ensuring a seamless flow of resources.
• Fulfill Holds and Requests: Locate items to fulfill holds and requests, ensuring items reach eager patrons promptly.
• Manage Automated Systems: Operate the Automated Materials Handler (library materials sorting machine), Book-O-Mat, and Novel Branch (library material vending machine). Collaborate with staff and vendors to troubleshoot equipment issues.
• Maintain Library Order: Take pride in ensuring libraries remain tidy and organized, contributing to a welcoming environment.
• Training and Collaboration: Work closely with and train coworkers, interns, and volunteers. Building and maintaining relationships with volunteers is an essential aspect of this role.

Traits of Successful Candidates:

• Enjoy Being Active: This role is dynamic and physical, involving the movement of materials through the library system to serve our community effectively.
• Display Friendliness and Warmth: Successful individuals eagerly assist library customers and volunteers, providing information, directions, and assistance in locating items.
• Embrace Change and Improvement: Thriving on change, successful individuals actively contribute to process improvements and share ideas to enhance our community services.
• Take Pride in Library Appearance: Successful individuals ensure a tidy and appealing library, stocking displays attractively and maintaining an inviting atmosphere.
• Detail-Oriented: With a sharp eye for detail, successful individuals notice nuances that enhance the customer experience and support their colleagues in locating the right materials.
• Collaborative and Curious: Valuing teamwork, successful individuals are curious learners, always seeking opportunities to grow and acquire new skills and knowledge.

For more information about this position, select the link below to read the classification description: Library Materials Assistant

Acceptable Experience and Training

• High School Diploma or GED or enrolled in school at the 12th grade level; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Valid Driver’s License and safe driving record.

• Positions in this class typically require: balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Incumbents may be subjected to hazardous physical conditions (mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc), atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dusts, poor ventilation) and intense noise.

Additional Information

Bilingual Incentive Pay Available
Preference may be given to candidates who are bilingual in Spanish/English.

Employees who can demonstrate the ability to speak Spanish, or any language spoken by over ten percent (10%) of City residents as documented by the most recent U.S. Census, at a proficiency level determined by a fluency test administered by the City, will receive a monthly premium of three percent (3%) of their regular base pay.

Commitment to Equity
At the City of Hillsboro, we believe that hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas.

City of Hillsboro is proud to offer robust benefit packages to employees. Please check out our Salary and Benefits page for benefit guides for our non-represented full-time employees and part-time employees. Benefits may vary for positions identified in Police, Fire, and Library collective bargaining agreements, which can also be found on the Salary and Benefits page.