Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00109

Department: Boston Public Library

Job classification: Senior Library Assistant (Branches)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Library

Summary

Includes library assistants working in the branch libraries whose duties involve the following: greeting and directing patrons, registration of borrowers, charging and discharging of books and other materials, maintaining the book and other materials collections, maintaining/troubleshooting equipment, typing/word processing, and filing.

Examples of duties

Under the direction of the Branch Librarian or ranking staff member, and in accordance with standard policies and practices, performs any or all of the following:

• Greets and directs library patrons in person and over the phone, providing simple directions and information.
• Gives out and interprets BPL policies and procedures in a professional and courteous manner.
• Identifies and refers problems to their supervisor.
• Charges and discharges books and other materials, receives and records fines.
• Interviews applicants for library cards and verifies identification.
• Prepares periodicals for circulation and maintains the periodical collection.
• Books museum passes.
• Receives and routes requests, including basic interlibrary loan requests, maintains the reserve shelf, and handles the send item list.
• Receives, sorts, shelves, verifies, delivers, mends, and bar-codes books, and traces records and searches shelves for books not properly accounted for.
• Assists in maintaining bulletin boards and exhibition cases.
• Typing/word processing simple forms and records.
• Compiles basic statistical records.
• Operates and provides basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, e.g., turning on and off, cleaning, filling with paper, replacing toner cartridges.
• Uses and assists patrons in the basic use of a variety of library-owned technological equipment, e.g., photocopier, public computer sign-up systems, audiovisual equipment.
• Sorts and routes U.S. Mail.
• Attends training when directed.
• Performs other related work as required.

Qualifications

• Education - High school graduate or GED.
• Experience - None required.
• Tact in dealing with people; good oral skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff; demeanor appropriate to the workplace.
• Competency in the use of personal computers and Windows software is sufficient to meet the tasks of the position.
• Dependability, good attendance, and a punctuality record.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

CORI & SORI CHECK REQUIRED - Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of Boston.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: AFSCME/LA-3

Hours per week: 35