Library Associate

Compensation Range $20.40 - $26.13 Please note: This job opening may close earlier than the stated date, due to high candidate volume. If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Who We Are: At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries. We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world! Our Core Values: Stewardship: We manage the city’s resources responsibly and make decisions that sustain High Point’s future. In other words, we take care of what we have today to build what we’ll need tomorrow Welcoming: We create a friendly, open environment where residents, partners, and visitors feel valued and embraced. We want everyone who connects with High Point to feel welcomed, like they belong here. Integrity: We act with honesty, transparency, and ethical responsibility in everything we do. That means doing what’s right – even when no one’s watching. This is how we earn our community’s trust. Productivity: We stay focused on results, fostering creativity, innovation, and outside-the-box thinking. We don’t just get things done – we find smarter, better ways to do them. What We Offer: The City of High Point offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefit package for full-time employees which include but are not limited to: A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service 401K and 457B Retirement Plans PTO earned within first year 13 Paid Holidays per year Tuition Reimbursement Plan Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one What You'll Do: Perform responsible para-professional work and simple professional work planning and implementing programs and services of the Children’s Services Division of the Public Library. Work involves bringing children and their parents and teachers together with books and information through reference work, programs, etc.; does related work as required. Work is performed under regular supervision, but requires a high degree of personal accountability, motivation, communication, and record keeping. Essential Tasks & Responsibilities: Demonstrates a positive attitude and supports library goals and objectives. Maintains current knowledge of organizational procedures, processes, policies and operations. Provides outstanding internal and external customer service in accordance with library policy and in a manner to enhance the reputation of the library as a public service organization.Performs general reference and reader's advisory work, searches for information upon request using automated system, the Internet and other informational tools and assists in locating needed books and materials; Assists the division with the collection through checking in and out materials, straightens books, CDs, DVDs, LOTs, and checks each assigned shelve locations to assure it is in proper classification sequence (shelf reading). Assists in maintenance of the collection through repairing, cleaning, discarding where necessary, and weeding materials based on condition or at managers’ request. Assists the division with signature events like Spring Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, Summer Jubilee, Holiday Stroll and others. Assists in supervision of Junior Friends and other children volunteers for summer reading, programs, events, and meetings Prepares flyers digitally and in print for promoting programs, literacy, libraries, and seasonal changes. Assists in ordering and receiving supplies and equipment necessary for programs; Represents the library at community events and in community organizations; Plans and conducts active and passive programs at the library, including special programs holiday programs, story times, puppet shows, flannels boards, crafts, tours, book clubs, reading contests, and others; Proficient in Microsoft and Google suites for record keeping and statistics. Assists in collecting library statistics and surveys. Acts as public relations representative to the community for public schools, private schools, homeschool groups, childcare providers, businesses, other city entities etc.; tours, teacher packs, field trips, online resources, and representing the library at community events. Collaborates with other library and city departments to achieve the Library’s mission and values. Including encouraging lifelong learning and library use. Creates displays for promoting programs, literacy, libraries, and seasonal changes Assists in creating reading lists for grade level, genre, BOB. Maintains positive working relationship with partner institutions. Pursues professional development including staff meetings, workshops, webinars, and conferences as budget allows. Pursues professional development and growth to stay current with technology and library trends. Available to work on rotating evenings and weekends and during our summer reading program. Assists in special projects at managers requests Collaborates with other divisions to achieve the Library’s mission and values. Ensures that all work is performed in accordance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies. Qualifications: REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Formal education Bachelor’s degree required. Liberal arts preferred. Extensive experience in the use of computers, Microsoft Office products, and graphic design (Canva or Photoshop preferred) Must upload a Cover Letter and Resume with Application. Must be an avid reader and familiar with writers and popular reading genres, and able to discuss both books and movies with customers. Must be comfortable speaking in front of people and preparing presentations, which may include curriculum and basic lesson plans. Must be comfortable leading programs in person or through virtual programming. Must be able to learn and teach the use of electronic library resources and use our computerized circulation system. Must be able to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, and holidays. Customer Service/Retail experience required, Public Library experience desirable. Must be able to relate to and communicate effectively with the public, other employees, and supervisors to maintain a positive customer service and work environment. Must have good listening skills. Must be able to follow written and oral instructions. Must have a valid, appropriate driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina. On-the-job training: approximately six weeks. Physical Requirements Hearing/Speaking • Expressing and/or receiving information by means of spoken word are both necessary to communicate with people in person and over the telephone, due to regular contact with the public and co-workers. Visual Abilities – the ability to perceive via eyesight is required for this position: Acuity, far – Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Both eyes 20/25 – R 20/30 – L20/30 corrected. Acuity, near – Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Both eyes 20/25 corrected. Depth Perception – Three-dimensional vision. Ability to judge distance and space relationships so as to see objects where and as they are. Depth perception – 4 Field of Vision – Area that can be seen up and down or to right or left while eyes are fixed on a given point. Accommodation – Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This item is especially important when doing near-point work at varying distances from eye. Must be able to adjust lens of eye so worker can perform more than one task at the same time using both hands. All five aspects are judged to be important in carrying out the essential functions of this job. Physical Strength – degree of physical demands typically associated with this position include: Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to carry and/or move books and non-print materials. Work usually requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, pushing carts of materials or containers, and climbing to a significant degree, however, the worker does sit on occasion. Must be able to climb a small ladder to set up freestanding or bulletin board displays. Type of Physical Demands Reaching, Handling, and Fingering: (Reaching – Extending the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction, but normally to the front or side.) (Handling – Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands (fingering not involved). (Fingering – Picking, pinching, or otherwise working with fingers primarily (rather than the whole hand or arm as in handling). For example, employee must reach to answer telephone, work with computer equipment, etc. Handles books, materials, cards, various forms, documents, files, pencils, pens, etc. requiring use of hands and fingers. Mental Activity/Requirements Reasoning Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to perform tasks and reply to requests made by supervisors, other employees, or members of the general public, to comprehend and respond to a variety of situations in an expedient manner. Must interpret information and relate to library customers so good judgment is essential. Mathematics Ability Using arithmetic: Ability to use arithmetic to the extent used in locating print and non-print materials and recording monthly statistics. Must be able to collect statistics and prepare them in report form. Language Ability Read: Must read for enjoyment and have knowledge of popular authors and titles. Also needs to be able to read books, manuals, instructions, directions, print and non-print materials, reference information, periodicals, records, receipts, messages, reservations and other documents related to the job. Write: Ability to compose thoughts and ideas in complete sentences using correct grammar and punctuation. You must be able to prepare written reports, guides for readers’ advisory, flyers and posters for the public to access, etc. Speak: Ability to be conversant and pleasant in voice and diction so as to participate in discussions with other employees and the public in person and by telephone. Environmental Conditions Physical Surroundings The worker is subject to Inside Environmental Conditions: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. Environmental Conditions (Hazards) No environmental hazards indicated for this position. Machinery/Tools/Work Aids/Other Equipment Computer, DVD player, Disc cleaning machine, telephone and directory, pens, pencils, receipts, stapler, shredder, paper cutter, shelving, book carts, and supplies inventory. Special Requirements Must have valid appropriate driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina. Applicants should be experienced users of social media and all forms of digital technology. Applicants must have experience using Canva (or equivalent graphic design program) to prepare professional materials for use by the public. Applicant must possess extensive knowledge of current genre fiction, be an avid reader of popular fiction and must be able to converse with customers about books and movies. Applicant needs good business and office skills and strong knowledge in the use of major Microsoft programs. Good listening skills and the ability to work with a diverse population. Applicant must have a strong commitment to good customer service. May do off-site programming or instruction as necessary. Programming tasks may involve public speaking and training skills. Must be able to move to all three floors of the library, push carts of print and non-print materials, and move the items to and from carts and shelves. Must have ability to participate effectively in a team atmosphere and be adaptable and flexible in learning and changing as the services of the library change. Must be able to work nights and weekends. Customer service experience is required; public library experience is desirable. Disclaimer This job description may not be all-inclusive, as jobs evolve over time to meet the ever-changing needs of the City of High Point’s workforce. This job description is not intended to and does not create a contract or offer of employment to any individual. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the City of High Point. Candidates selected for employment must pass a background screening as well as a pre-employment physical to ensure medical clearance to perform the essential functions of the job prior to receiving a full offer of employment. The City of High Point is an at-will employer and employees may be terminated or may terminate their employment at any time with or without reason for any reason not prohibited by law. The work location of this job will be 901 N Main St High Point, North Carolina. Our Commitments The City of High Point is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values individuals from all backgrounds and seeks to attract and retain the most qualified partners in service to the citizens of High Point. As an at-will employer, the City allows employees to terminate their employment, or be terminated at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not prohibited by law. The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly for the work they do, weighing both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended. The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment for all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. In lieu of or in addition to background screening, candidates selected for employment in a position that requires working with children in any capacity must be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal history record check conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any such position without passing a pre-placement physical exam. The City offers employment to successful candidates conditioned upon the City’s receipt of satisfactory results from all required screenings, checks, and exams, as applicable.