Library Specialist I (LaPorte Branch Library)

Summary

Library Specialist IThe Library Specialist I provides frontline customer service and entry-level specialized support for daily library operations. The position assists patrons with library card registration, account maintenance, circulation transactions, readers' advisory, basic reference and research, digital resources, and technology or lab activities; processes, sorts, shelves, and maintains library materials; and plans, delivers, and promotes programs for patrons of all ages. The position also supports collection maintenance, community outreach, opening and closing activities, facility readiness, and accurate service records while protecting patron confidentiality. The position contributes to safe, organized, welcoming, and inclusive access to information, technology, and learning resources.Duties & Responsibilities:Provides courteous, responsive, and inclusive frontline customer service to patrons in person, by telephone, and through approved electronic communication channels.Greets patrons, identifies their needs, explains available services and resources, and connects them with the appropriate staff member or service when additional assistance is required.Performs circulation and patron-account functions using the integrated library system and established procedures.Registers patrons for library cards; verifies and updates account information; checks materials in and out; places and processes holds; renews materials; explains notices, fees, and account status; accepts approved payments when assigned; and maintains accurate transaction records.Protects the confidentiality of patron registration, account, circulation, reference, technology-use, and other service information in accordance with applicable law and library policy.Provides readers' advisory and basic reference and research assistance for patrons of all ages.Uses the library catalog, print materials, databases, digital collections, and credible online sources to help patrons locate, evaluate, and use information and refers advanced, sensitive, or specialized requests to professional staff.Assists patrons with public computers, printers, scanners, copiers, wireless access, e-books, databases, mobile devices, digital resources, and approved makerspace or lab equipment.Provides basic digital-literacy instruction, explains standard technology procedures, troubleshoots routine equipment or access issues, and reports unresolved problems.Plans, prepares, delivers, and promotes assigned educational, cultural, literacy, technology, and enrichment programs for children, teens, adults, older adults, families, and other community groups.Develops activities within established guidelines; coordinates logistics and promotion; records attendance and feedback; and recommends service improvements.Supports community outreach and engagement by promoting library services, participating in approved off-site activities, and maintaining cooperative relationships with schools, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, and other community partners.Supports collection development and stewardship by recommending materials based on customer requests and community interests and by assisting with selection projects as assigned.Shelves and shelf-read materials; maintains accurate order and attractive displays; assists with merchandising, inventory, missing-item searches, weeding, and collection projects; and follows collection-management guidelines and staff direction.Processes and routes library materials accurately and efficiently, including returns from service desks and book drops, holds, transfers, deliveries, and items requiring repair, review, or special handling.Supports daily branch operations by assisting with opening and closing procedures, service-desk coverage, room and equipment readiness, public-area organization, signage, supply monitoring, and assigned operational checklists.Explains and applies library policies, procedures, service standards, and customer-conduct expectations consistently and respectfully.Resolves routine account, service, and customer concerns within assigned authority and promptly refers policy exceptions, repeated complaints, threatening behavior, suspected legal issues, or other complex matters to designated staff or management.Promotes a safe and welcoming environment by observing branch conditions, following emergency and incident procedures, documenting significant events as directed, and promptly reporting safety, security, accessibility, maintenance, or facility concerns.Maintains accurate program, outreach, circulation, collection, equipment, inventory, payment, and service records and provides data or reports needed to monitor activities and support operational decisions.Works collaboratively with branch employees, volunteers, and community partners to coordinate service coverage, exchange information, complete assignments, and support branch and system initiatives.Participates in staff meetings, required training, committees, workgroups, activities, and professional-development opportunities and applies updated procedures and service practices to assigned work.Uses approved communication and promotional tools, including email, calendars, flyers, web content, and social media, to share accurate information about library resources, programs, and services in accordance with established guidelines.Performs routine administrative and operational tasks, including preparing forms and correspondence, maintaining schedules and files, monitoring supplies, and assisting with special projects.Performs other related circulation, programming, collection, customer-service, technology-support, outreach, and operational duties as assigned.Other duties as assignedHarris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.RequirementsEducation & Experience:Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or universityOne (1) year of paid or volunteer experience * planning, delivering, facilitating, or supporting programs or activities for one or more of the following: children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or community groups.One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers, clients, students, visitors, or members of the public is required under each education and experience option. OR Associate degree in any field or 60 hours of secondary education credits from an accredited college or universityThree (3) years of paid or volunteer experience * planning, delivering, facilitating, or supporting programs or activities for one or more of the following: children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or community groups.One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers, clients, students, visitors, or members of the public is required under each education and experience option. OR High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalentFive (5) years of paid or volunteer experience * planning, delivering, facilitating, or supporting programs or activities for one or more of the following: children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or community groups.One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers, clients, students, visitors, or members of the public is required under each education and experience option.* Qualifying volunteer experience may include planning, leading, delivering, or supporting tutoring, workshops, Sunday school, camps, scouting, community events, or outreach for any age group, families, or community groups. Support may include preparing materials, assisting participants, registration, setup, or logistics.Additional Requirements:Available and reliable transportation for work-related dutiesUnofficial copies of transcripts are required along with the applicationKnowledge, Skills & Abilities:Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)Proficient with Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)Proficient with the Internet and Office 365Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environmentAbility to work well with public and staff membersAbility to exercise initiative and act with discretionMust use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication processNOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.PreferencesExperience:Experience working in a public, school, or academic library; government agency; nonprofit organization; or related public-service environment. (preferred)Experience serving diverse age groups through customer service, programming, outreach, learning activities, or digital-literacy assistance. (preferred)Experience using an integrated library system to perform circulation, patron-account, materials-processing, or shelving functions. (preferred)Experience providing readers' advisory, basic reference or research assistance, and supporting collection displays, inventory,

Job Description

Library Specialist IThe Library Specialist I provides frontline customer service and entry-level specialized support for daily library operations. The position assists patrons with library card registration, account maintenance, circulation transactions, readers' advisory, basic reference and research, digital resources, and technology or lab activities; processes, sorts, shelves, and maintains library materials; and plans, delivers, and promotes programs for patrons of all ages. The position also supports collection maintenance, community outreach, opening and closing activities, facility readiness, and accurate service records while protecting patron confidentiality. The position contributes to safe, organized, welcoming, and inclusive access to information, technology, and learning resources.Duties & Responsibilities:Provides courteous, responsive, and inclusive frontline customer service to patrons in person, by telephone, and through approved electronic communication channels.Greets patrons, identifies their needs, explains available services and resources, and connects them with the appropriate staff member or service when additional assistance is required.Performs circulation and patron-account functions using the integrated library system and established procedures.Registers patrons for library cards; verifies and updates account information; checks materials in and out; places and processes holds; renews materials; explains notices, fees, and account status; accepts approved payments when assigned; and maintains accurate transaction records.Protects the confidentiality of patron registration, account, circulation, reference, technology-use, and other service information in accordance with applicable law and library policy.Provides readers' advisory and basic reference and research assistance for patrons of all ages.Uses the library catalog, print materials, databases, digital collections, and credible online sources to help patrons locate, evaluate, and use information and refers advanced, sensitive, or specialized requests to professional staff.Assists patrons with public computers, printers, scanners, copiers, wireless access, e-books, databases, mobile devices, digital resources, and approved makerspace or lab equipment.Provides basic digital-literacy instruction, explains standard technology procedures, troubleshoots routine equipment or access issues, and reports unresolved problems.Plans, prepares, delivers, and promotes assigned educational, cultural, literacy, technology, and enrichment programs for children, teens, adults, older adults, families, and other community groups.Develops activities within established guidelines; coordinates logistics and promotion; records attendance and feedback; and recommends service improvements.Supports community outreach and engagement by promoting library services, participating in approved off-site activities, and maintaining cooperative relationships with schools, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, and other community partners.Supports collection development and stewardship by recommending materials based on customer requests and community interests and by assisting with selection projects as assigned.Shelves and shelf-read materials; maintains accurate order and attractive displays; assists with merchandising, inventory, missing-item searches, weeding, and collection projects; and follows collection-management guidelines and staff direction.Processes and routes library materials accurately and efficiently, including returns from service desks and book drops, holds, transfers, deliveries, and items requiring repair, review, or special handling.Supports daily branch operations by assisting with opening and closing procedures, service-desk coverage, room and equipment readiness, public-area organization, signage, supply monitoring, and assigned operational checklists.Explains and applies library policies, procedures, service standards, and customer-conduct expectations consistently and respectfully.Resolves routine account, service, and customer concerns within assigned authority and promptly refers policy exceptions, repeated complaints, threatening behavior, suspected legal issues, or other complex matters to designated staff or management.Promotes a safe and welcoming environment by observing branch conditions, following emergency and incident procedures, documenting significant events as directed, and promptly reporting safety, security, accessibility, maintenance, or facility concerns.Maintains accurate program, outreach, circulation, collection, equipment, inventory, payment, and service records and provides data or reports needed to monitor activities and support operational decisions.Works collaboratively with branch employees, volunteers, and community partners to coordinate service coverage, exchange information, complete assignments, and support branch and system initiatives.Participates in staff meetings, required training, committees, workgroups, activities, and professional-development opportunities and applies updated procedures and service practices to assigned work.Uses approved communication and promotional tools, including email, calendars, flyers, web content, and social media, to share accurate information about library resources, programs, and services in accordance with established guidelines.Performs routine administrative and operational tasks, including preparing forms and correspondence, maintaining schedules and files, monitoring supplies, and assisting with special projects.Performs other related circulation, programming, collection, customer-service, technology-support, outreach, and operational duties as assigned.Other duties as assignedHarris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.RequirementsEducation & Experience:Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or universityOne (1) year of paid or volunteer experience * planning, delivering, facilitating, or supporting programs or activities for one or more of the following: children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or community groups.One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers, clients, students, visitors, or members of the public is required under each education and experience option. OR Associate degree in any field or 60 hours of secondary education credits from an accredited college or universityThree (3) years of paid or volunteer experience * planning, delivering, facilitating, or supporting programs or activities for one or more of the following: children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or community groups.One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers, clients, students, visitors, or members of the public is required under each education and experience option. OR High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalentFive (5) years of paid or volunteer experience * planning, delivering, facilitating, or supporting programs or activities for one or more of the following: children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or community groups.One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers, clients, students, visitors, or members of the public is required under each education and experience option.* Qualifying volunteer experience may include planning, leading, delivering, or supporting tutoring, workshops, Sunday school, camps, scouting, community events, or outreach for any age group, families, or community groups. Support may include preparing materials, assisting participants, registration, setup, or logistics.Additional Requirements:Available and reliable transportation for work-related dutiesUnofficial copies of transcripts are required along with the applicationKnowledge, Skills & Abilities:Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)Proficient with Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)Proficient with the Internet and Office 365Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environmentAbility to work well with public and staff membersAbility to exercise initiative and act with discretionMust use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication processNOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.PreferencesExperience:Experience working in a public, school, or academic library; government agency; nonprofit organization; or related public-service environment. (preferred)Experience serving diverse age groups through customer service, programming, outreach, learning activities, or digital-literacy assistance. (preferred)Experience using an integrated library system to perform circulation, patron-account, materials-processing, or shelving functions. (preferred)Experience providing readers' advisory, basic reference or research assistance, and supporting collection displays, inventory,