Come work for your bustling community library which has consistently been voted Simply the Best Library in the Harrisburg area! Join Fredricksen Library as a Public Service Specialist. We are looking for detail-oriented individuals with a strong customer service background who believe in providing award winning service with a smile. Work duties include checking materials in and out, registering customers for library cards, collecting payments, placing hold requests for items and pulling materials to fulfill requests, shelving library materials, and handling customer service issues. Must be available to work 12+ hours a week during daytime, evening, and weekend hours of operation. EOE.
Classification: Part time Non-Exempt
Job summary: Creates a positive experience for each customer while performing all essential job duties. Uses dynamic approaches to a variety of customer interaction duties including actively assisting customers with locating materials and with using catalog, assisting customers with self-directed tasks and technology, handling of all circulation duties. Works under the direct supervision of the Public Services Manager or Youth Services Director.
Essential Functions:
- Creates positive experiences for library customers by effectively and efficiently performing job tasks.
- Demonstrates superior public service skills, and an understanding of public library operations. Supports “customer first” practices. Assists customers and staff by analyzing inquiries, answering questions, resolving customer complaints, identifying informational sources, recommending materials, and instructing the use of resources. Proactively seeks to assist customers with finding items. Provides reading suggestions. Circulates the library floor regularly while performing other work duties to actively assist customers. Demonstrates tact and professionalism in all communications. Provides accurate information and directional assistance.
- Proficiently performs tasks including but not limited to: opening and closing procedures, checking in and out materials, renewing materials, registering customers for library cards and programs, placing materials on hold, shelving materials, maintaining the overall appearance of the library, retrieving bookdrop, processing materials from daily lists, assisting with delivery of materials, operating cash register and credit card machine accurately when receiving payments and making change.
- Shelves library materials using correct shelving procedures, shifts materials as necessary, and shelf reads materials as assigned. Develops and implements ideas for displays, exhibits, bulletin boards and book lists, assists in preparing signage.
- Demonstrates a professional, positive, cooperative, team-oriented working relationship with staff, administration, and volunteers; in the absence of the department manager supervises the pages and volunteers assisting with the tasks of circulation.
- Markets library programs and events through discussion and distribution of materials.
- Demonstrates the utmost professionalism and courtesy to all customers in any communication, whether face-to-face, phone, email, or web-based communication. Directs patrons and staff in emergency situations.
- Maintain knowledge of current digital resources. Assists customers and staff with all library equipment including the use of computer catalog, self-directed tasks and technology.
- Attends staff, county, and other professional meetings. Complies with continuing education requirements. Stays current with Cumberland County Library System and Cleve J. Fredricksen Library policies and procedures.
- Other projects and responsibilities may be added at the supervisor’s discretion.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must possess excellent customer service skills. Requires the ability to handle customer complaints, difficult situations, and the challenges presented by customers.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to demonstrate tact and professionalism in all communications.
- Ability to be self-motivated, proactive, work independently and make decisions based on good business practices and library philosophy.
- Ability to receive checks and cash payments and to make change.
- Ability to organize and shelve materials based on Dewey Decimal system and call number. Must be able to alphabetize items or place in proper numeric sequence.
- Knowledge of basic computer functions and software. Must be able to learn and become skilled with library equipment, technology and software as required to perform essential functions effectively and efficiently.
- Must have a reliable form of transportation.
Education:
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
Employment Clearances:
Must be able to acquire FBI Criminal History, Pennsylvania Child Abuse, and Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History clearances that qualify the individual for employment as outlined in the Cumberland County Library System’s Employee Clearances policy.
Physical and Environmental Conditions:
Work regularly demands light physical effort in the handling of materials, boxes, carts, or equipment, as well as manual dexterity and visual acuity when working with a computer. Regularly lifts and carries books and materials weighing as much as 50 pounds; regularly pushes and pulls carts weighing up to 150-300 pounds; regularly bends and reaches for books on top and bottom shelves; regularly uses repetitive movements and views small print on library items and on the computer. Work may require standing for extended periods of time such as 4 to 8 hours and retrieving materials from outside year-round. Tasks may need to be completed in a crowded and noisy environment.
The work environment involves everyday risks which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting rooms, and libraries, e.g., the safe use of workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of safety regulations.
Pay: From $15.30 per hour
Work Location: In person
