Job Summary: The Library Specialist is a member of an inclusive and collaborative team that models the library’s customer service philosophy and values-based service. Library Specialists create a welcoming environment for patrons by greeting them and responding to their requests for service. They assist patrons with their information needs, coordinate programs, and perform outreach activities. Library Specialists may be temporarily assigned to work shifts at other libraries.
This position is a 30-hour-per-week, non-exempt, at-will position.
The shift schedule for this position will be:
- Monday: 10:30-7
- Tuesday: 8:30-5
- Wednesday: 8:30-5
- Sunday: 11-5
Essential Functions:
- Provides reference, reader’s advisory, technology, research databases, and library account assistance to patrons at public service desks, by phone which may be in the call center and throughout the library. (70%)
- Plans, provides, and evaluates outreach activities and programs which may include storytimes. (15%)
- Maintains library collection by creating book displays, suggesting new books for purchase and weeding. (10%)
- Serves as Person in Charge with a focus on resolving library issues through de-escalation. (5%)
Additional Responsibilities:
- Performs opening and closing duties at the library facility and provides other backup support to colleagues as needed.
- Communicates effectively with team members to ensure efficient operations.
- Prioritizes tasks and shifts attention as needed to complete daily work.
- Assists the manager in training new employees, substitutes, interns, and volunteers.
- Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to library property.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education and experience: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years of work or volunteer experience in a library, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- General skills: Self-directed and collaborative. Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Skilled with cash handling.
- Technical skills: Intermediate skills with using personal computers, performing data entry and using information databases.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Spanish language skills and/or experience working with patrons from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Working Conditions:
Primarily physical work with repetitive handling of items, frequent walking and standing, occasional lifting of items up to 40 pounds, and occasional pushing of wheeled carts over 100 pounds. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer monitor and operating a keyboard. Requires sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate a computer, office, and library equipment. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permit the employee to work in a multilevel facility. Seeing, hearing, and speaking are required.
Please apply by July 30th at 4 pm.
Health and Wellness Benefits
- Group medical, dental, and vision benefits to employees who work 20 hours or more per week
- Lifestyle Spending Account for all benefit-eligible employees
- Employer paid basic life and long-term disability insurance
- Employer paid employee assistance program for employees and their household members
- Health Savings or Flexible Spending Accounts for all benefit-eligible employees
- Voluntary , employee-paid, group accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans for all benefit-eligible employees
- Employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care
- Infant at Work Program
Time-off Benefits
- New employees accrue 4 weeks of paid vacation
- 80 hours of paid sick leave per year for employees who work 20 hours or more per week
- 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
- Time off for jury duty, bereavement and voting
- Pet adoption leave
- New grandparent leave
Helping Your Future
- Public Employee Retirement Association of Colorado (PERA) Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan
- PERA 401(k) Plan
- Tuition reimbursement program and student debt repayment assistance
- Paid training and professional development
Library Perks
- Easy access to unlimited resources—including books, movies, programs, digital technology, and more
Application Accommodations
BPLD is committed to advancing equity in our diverse community, and jobs are one great way for us to do this. Please let us know if you require accommodations due to a disability to apply for this position.
Examples could include providing a paper copy of the application, emailing the interview questions to you in advance, or reading the application to an applicant with a visual impairment. This is not an exhaustive list.
Please note a few things:
- If you need more time to complete any sections of the application, we recommend using a word processing document or text file to fill out the answers. The system times out after 30 minutes and does not retain your information. Having it in a Word processing document will help if you must copy and paste the information into the application.
- Uploading documents and qualifications can impact the formatting of your resume. We will not discount your application if Paylocity transcription alters the formatting.
Please reach out to us at [email protected], and we will work with you to determine if we can accommodate your request
The BPLD is committed to advancing equity in our diverse community by providing accessible programs, print and digital materials, tools and technology, and educational opportunities. Across our five current locations, we are proud to offer a range of resources, including a makerspace, art galleries, outdoor learning areas, a multimedia local history archive, community literacy programs, and a theater. Boulder Public Library strives to be a safe and welcoming place for all staff and patrons alike. Through outreach, community partnerships, and volunteer-driven programs, we aim to tailor our services to meet the needs of individuals who may face barriers to visiting our physical locations.
We circulate more than 1.5 million items annually, but we believe that a library is more than a place to borrow free materials. As a vital civic space, we provide opportunities for our more than 500,000 yearly visitors to study, host meetings, be introduced to new people or experiences, and connect to essential local services.
Our employees are part of a vibrant and uplifting workplace culture that honors the joy and commitment of meaningful public service, while also caring for the individual needs of each team member. Our work is highly collaborative, adaptive, inquisitive, and is always ongoing. We are passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences, and we are dedicated to our mission of connecting people, ideas, and information to transform lives and strengthen our community.