Part-Time Library Staff Assistant

Penn State University Pattee/Paterno Library Common Services Department is currently looking for staff who are available for the remainder of the Spring 2025 Semester through to the Summer and Fall 2025 semesters, with availabilities spanning all hours library operation, including mornings, evenings, and weekends. Hours and schedule for the Fall and Spring semester will vary.

The ideal candidate is a warm and outgoing team member with a strong work ethic and a firm commitment to providing the bestpossibleuserexperience. Excellent communication, interpersonal and active listening skills are preferred, along with the ability to interact effectivelyandrespectfullywith internal and external patrons, as well as library colleagues. One of our goals is to assist users in locating information or resources to ensure they successfully fulfil their library needs, whether these involve advanced library research help, access to study spaces, or assistance in locating print and online materials. The scope of responsibilities for part-time staff in our department is quite extensive, and successful candidates will acquire in-depth knowledge about the operation of one of the largest university libraries in the country. We are looking for staff who are willing to learn andseekopportunities to grow andbuild on their knowledge. Successful employees with an interest in a libraries' career, or who wish simply for greater pay and responsibility, may be promoted to the position of Team Lead. Prior customer service or retail experience is helpful.

Required Materials:

• A resume and cover letter must be attached to your application to be considered for this position.

• Your resume should include any past work, community service, and educational experience, especially those relevant to this position.

• Your cover letter should act as an introduction to you, why you are interested in the position, and what skills and experience you would bring to our team.

• Please include your hours of availability this semester.

• Your schedule availability should include what days and times you are available to work, taking into consideration any additional commitments that may conflict with your work schedule.

Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Greeting patrons with a welcomingattitude

• Make referrals tothe Search Bar, Librarians, andfull-time staff asappropriate

• Answer directional, informational,andbasic referencequestions in person or on the telephone

• Provide group study room information and reservation assistance

• Collaborate with other departments to provide additional services

Operational

• Open/Close the library

• Assist in collection of unit statistics

• Shelve returned library materials

• Pull requested library items

• Circulate library materials

• Assist with the maintaining of library collections.

• Assist patrons with placing holds on library materials,includinginterlibrary items

• Attend on-going reference and library trainings for professional development

• Promote and engage with Common Services Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility initiatives and learning

• Respond to gate andpanelalarms according to procedures

• Serve as fire marshal in an emergency evacuation

• Call appropriate outside agency and alert other staff in the event of an incident / injury

• Contact the appropriate supervisor toresolve problems with patron behavior

Skills/experience/knowledge

Required

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills

• Ability to follow directions and keep a schedule

• Commitment to diversity

• Ability to work as part of a team and individually

Preferred

• Familiarity with information technologyis strongly preferred

• Prior library, customer, retailorhospitality experience ispreferred

Hours:

• Hoursvary: Must be willing to work a combination of openings, closings, and weekends, and to maintain a minimum of ten hours of scheduled time per week. Schedule will vary from one semester to the next.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.