Patron Services Assistant

The Oak Park Public Library seeks a part-time Library Assistant to join the Patron Services team.

About the Oak Park Public Library

The Oak Park Public Library strategically prioritizes equity, anti-racism, engagement, learning, and stewardship. We serve a diverse population at our three locations and out in the Oak Park community. Our vision is to empower every voice in our community, and our mission is to share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations.

Ideal Candidate

This position is for you if interacting with and helping patrons is your favorite part of working in a library. The Assistant position focuses on customer service. The primary responsibility for most of the working day is to assist patrons with their accounts, finding materials, locating information, and helping them with technology. Evening and weekend hours are expected. There may also be opportunities to assist with programming and community engagement.

The person in this position directly assists patrons at service points at any of the library’s three locations. They also support library initiatives/projects across service areas and work closely with librarians, specialists, and other library staff.

Bilingualism in English and Spanish (or another language relevant to Oak Park’s community) is a plus; while not required, fluency in another language will enable you to provide exceptional customer service and build relationships with more of our community members. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The nature and allocation of work for an Assistant may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Customer Service

• Assists patrons at all library service points and in the community


• Performs circulation duties: checks in and out material, issues and renews library cards, accurately conducts fee collection responsibilities, and resolves account issues as needed


• Assists patrons with the use of self check-out kiosks


• Provides readers advisory, reference, and technology assistance using appropriate tools


• Supports and troubleshoots public computers, printers, and mobile devices


• Adheres to library policies and proactively enforces the Library’s Rules of Behavior and refers issues to Supervisors and/or Managers as required


• Provides information on library and community news and events

Community Engagement and Programming

• Participates in community engagement activities and programs involving the Book Bike as needed


• Assists Librarians in preparing and presenting programs as needed

Collection Management and Maintenance

• Processes and shelves holds, and pulls expired holds at our two branch locations. Places holds for patrons at all three locations


• Assists with the withdrawing of library materials and with inventory, displays, and other collection-based tasks as required
  

Successful candidates will:

• Work to understand, support, and advance the vision, mission, and strategic priorities of the library


• Have at least earned a high school diploma and preferably some college


• Have some experience working in a library, retail, or hospitality setting


• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills


• Be available and willing to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends


• Be open to working 4 to 5 hours shifts - at any service desk - at all three library locations


• Be able to communicate in English and Spanish fluently (a plus)

Details

This part-time position reports to the Patron Services Coordinators and is scheduled for at least 20 hours per week with expectations for some evening and weekend availability. 

As part of the greater compensation package, part-time (20 or more hours per week) staff receive benefits, including:

• Enrollment in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), a premier defined benefit (pension) plan for Illinois municipal government employees


• At least two weeks of paid vacation annually


• 48 hours of paid health leave annually


• 26 hours of paid personal leave annually


• Up to 13 paid holidays each year (only if regularly scheduled to work on the day of the holiday)


• 8 weeks of paid parental leave


• Tuition assistance for continuing education


• Paid learning opportunities, such as webinars and conferences


• $150 Lifestyle Spending Account to enhance your physical, financial, and emotional well-being

The starting hourly rate range is $20.00 to $22.00. Offers are made within this range based on competencies, experience, and internal equity. 

Please apply by Monday, February 16, to be considered for this position.

The Oak Park Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating and supporting an environment of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion for the benefit of our staff, collections, programs and services, patrons, and community. Members of traditionally marginalized groups and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.