Library Materials Processing Assistant

POSITION DESCRIPTION

CITY OF HASTINGS

HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY

MATERIALS PROCESSING ASSISTANT
14-17 hours per week

SUMMARY

The Materials Processing Assistant’s primary role is to support the Materials Processing Supervisor to ensure all library materials are properly catalogued, labeled, prepped, and packaged for use by the public and staff. This position will also work the circulation desk assisting patrons, as well as provide support to the local history collection in the Michigan Room. This position partners with the Materials Processing Supervisor and supports the Director, Assistant Director, Youth Librarian, and Circulation Supervisor.

The Processing Assistant is an “at will” employee.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports to the Assistant Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties, plus other duties as assigned. This position spends time in three different work areas as described.

Materials Processing:

• Assist with cataloging and processing of library materials following Lakeland Library Cooperative (LLC) and Hastings Public Library (HPL) procedures, including local history items.
• Assist with quality checking of finished materials.
• Assist with covering of library materials in protective book jackets.
• Prepare newly received materials for processing.
• Create item records for new materials in the library’s integrated library system (ILS) and partner with the Materials Processing Supervisor and LLC as needed on new items.
• Work on special projects related to cataloging and collection management.
• Partner with processing volunteers as needed.

Circulation Desk:

• Check materials in and out, register patrons for library cards, assist public with self- checkout, renewals, holds, computers, faxes and other duties as assigned.
• Provide excellent service to the public with onsite materials and resource sharing, access to public computing and online resources, reference and referral information.
• Assist patrons of all ages in performing reference searches, selecting and locating materials, and providing readers advisory services.
• Adhere to Library privacy law. Have the ability to maintain confidentiality and use appropriate judgement when handling information and records.
• Participate in library-wide initiatives and programs.
• Answer telephones, provide routine information and transfer calls.
• Assist with handling inter-library loan materials.
• Assist in assuring accurate library shelving by shelf-reading and re-shelving materials as needed.
• Accomplish assigned circulation tasks accurately and in a timely manner.

Local History:

• Assist with collection maintenance, including organizing inbound newspapers, shelving new materials, and maintaining collection organization.
• Assist with processing and evaluation of donated materials.
• Support efforts at digitizing the collection to provide more online access.
• Support volunteers in local history projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

All of the following functions, knowledge, skills, abilities and duties are essential. An employee in this class, upon appointment, should have the equivalent of the following:

• Knowledge of typical library services.
• Ability to work effectively with the general public and other employees.
• Proficiency in use of standard business applications and software, including email, web browsers, web applications, and Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to see and hear well.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Ability to push book trucks with up to 100 pounds of materials on them.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of one year with customer service experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Word.
• Attention to detail.
• Flexibility and willingness to pick up extra shifts when needed.

PREFERRED SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING

• Associate’s degree or higher.
• Minimum of one year of experience in library work.
• Knowledge of integrated library systems a plus, especially Sierra.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Majority of work is performed in a library environment and the surrounding Hastings community.
• Requires periodic participation and attendance at events and training.

The position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with position and is subject to review and change at any time in accordance with the needs of Hastings Public Library. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable someone with a qualifying disability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program

Application Question(s):

• The person hired will be asked to work the following shifts and times:

Materials Processing: 6 hours weekly, Wednesday - Friday, flexible
Circulation Desk: 9am-11:30am, Monday and Friday (shifts expected to start late July or early August 2026)
Local History: 3 hours weekly, flexible
Saturday: Most staff work one Saturday shift monthly; this position will be assigned one, exact week TBD.

There will also be opportunities to cover other shifts if they are available. Is this schedule something you can accommodate?

Ability to Commute:

• Hastings, MI 49058 (Required)

Work Location: In person