Library Assistant at Town of San Anselmo (CA) – San Anselmo, California

THE TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO IS SEEKING A LIBRARY ASSISTANT
Entry-Level | Benefit-Eligible Part-Time
Salary: $31,457-$38,224 Annually (DOE/DOQ)
The Library Assistant is an entry-level position responsible for supporting daily library operations,
including: assisting patrons with accessing library resources, providing excellent customer service,
managing the circulation of materials, and supporting library staff with a variety of clerical and
program-related tasks. This is a part-time position (0.53 FTE, approximately 20 hours per week)
reporting directly to the Circulation Supervisor (Lead Library Assistant) and receiving general direction
from the Town Librarian. This position does not include any staff supervisory responsibilities but may
assist with overseeing library volunteers.

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ABOUT THE TOWN
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The Town of San Anselmo is nestled at the base of Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, California. Renowned for its picturesque downtown, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant community, the Town is home to approximately 13,000 residents and spans about 2.7 square miles. Residents enjoy an abundance of activities, from hiking and biking in the surrounding parks and natural reserves, to community events like parades and outdoor concerts.
Located just 20 miles north of San Francisco, San Anselmo’s proximity provides easy access to a rich array of cultural, dining, and entertainment options. Historically, it has been a hub for artists, writers, and musicians inspired by its natural surroundings and welcoming community. While primarily residential, San Anselmo’s economy thrives on a diverse mix of local businesses, drawing visitors from across Marin and the Bay Area.

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
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Established in 1915, the San Anselmo Public Library is a historic Carnegie Library located in the heart of downtown San Anselmo. The Library is dedicated to providing equitable access to information, high-quality books and media, and engaging programs and exhibits that support lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and intellectual curiosity for community members of all ages.

Led by the Town Librarian, the library team includes an Adult Services Librarian, a Children’s Librarian, a Circulation Supervisor (Lead Library Assistant), and two Library Assistants who work collaboratively to deliver exceptional service and meet the evolving needs of the community. Staff support a wide range of library services, including circulation and reader assistance, early literacy and youth programming, technology support, research and reference services.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES
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CIRCULATION SERVICES
• Staff the circulation desk and perform circulation duties, including checking library materials in and out, processing renewals, collecting fees, and placing and monitoring holds
• Calculate, collect, and reconcile fees at the circulation desk for lost or damaged materials and clear fines from patron records
• Register new patrons, issue library cards, and process patron information changes
• Perform prescribed opening and closing procedures for the library
• Sort incoming materials and perform routine data entry

PATRON SERVICES & REFERENCE ASSISTANCE
• Respond to patron questions about library services, policies, and hours in-person and by telephone
• Resolve routine patron problems in accordance with established library policies and procedures
• Assist patrons in locating and selecting print and non-print materials
• Explain use of the library catalog, internet, and photocopy equipment
• Assist patrons in using digital resources under indirect staff supervision and respond to routine reference questions, which may include bibliographic searching of library holdings

COLLECTION MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE
• Catalog, maintain, and manage adult and juvenile periodical collections, including overseeing development, organization, growth, and ongoing maintenance
• Search for paged items daily and run reports in the library’s system to monitor status of holds, in-transit, and paged items
• Check the condition of books and other library materials and identify items requiring repair or replacement
• Perform minor repairs to books and periodicals and verify cataloging and labels
• Select and order books online through the library’s acquisition systems

INTERLIBRARY SERVICES
• Prepare interlibrary loan requests
• Check in, alphabetize, and shelve items on hold shelves
• Attend staff meetings and trainings, both in-house and at other MARINet libraries

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THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
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EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
At minimum, the candidate should possess:
• High school diploma or equivalent
• One (1) year of responsible clerical experience with public contact

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
The candidate should possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license for the duration of their employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Knowledge of the fundamental purposes, typical content, services, and practices of modern public libraries
• Knowledge of library-specific software, such as Sierra
• Knowledge of basic mathematics and standard office methods, practices, and procedures, including the use of computer equipment
• Knowledge of professional customer service practices, including excellent public reception and telephone etiquette
• Knowledge of alphabetical, numerical, and topical filing systems and recordkeeping procedures, including indexing and cross-referencing methods
• Ability to accurately perform clerical work while managing interruptions, review materials related to library operations, and resolve routine operational situations
• Ability to understand, interpret, and explain library policies and procedures and monitor patrons and volunteers as assigned
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; gather information through effective questioning; and interact courteously and professionally with a wide variety of library users
• Ability to work assigned shifts, including evenings and weekends

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be regularly required to:
• Sit for extended periods and intermittently stand, walk, squat, kneel, twist, or climb
• Use hands to handle, reach, and grasp, push, pull, and perform tasks requiring fine motor manipulation, including using a telephone or keyboard to communicate
• Regularly lift and carry up to 25 pounds and occasionally move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus