Library Paraprofessional

Overview

The City of Albuquerque is seeking a Library Paraprofessional to support day-to-day operations at a public library. This temporary, onsite position is pivotal in helping customers access library services, assisting in programming, maintaining library collections, and providing technical and administrative support.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist patrons in person and via telephone with locating materials, utilizing library technology, and addressing questions or problems.
• Support planning, development, and execution of library events for adults and children, including educational tours, reading initiatives, and community outreach.
• Contribute to collection management by suggesting new acquisitions, entering orders, maintaining catalogs, and processing materials for distribution and circulation.
• Take a leadership role in complex library procedures, such as enforcing policies, handling loans, issuing and updating library cards, managing interlibrary loan requests, troubleshooting, and mentoring staff.
• Perform database upkeep related to new acquisitions, including adding, editing, and exporting records, and managing vendor orders to ensure up-to-date inventories.
• Oversee verification and acceptance of incoming materials by checking quality, processing invoices, and initiating claims for discrepancies or defective items.
• Prepare new items for lending, including attaching labels, incorporating them into the electronic catalog, and ensuring accurate tracking of holdings and customer requests.
• Generate and process lists related to customer holds, overdue notices, and billing, and communicate updates to patrons as needed.
• Facilitate communication and logistics with vendors for supplies, cataloging specifications, and labeling processes.
• Manage library supplies inventory and ordering as assigned, and may administer special library collections or resource centers.
• Utilize and supervise library equipment, providing training to staff and users as necessary, and support event organization.

Supplemental Functions

• Participate in meetings about library activities, offering suggestions for service improvements.
• Serve as acting staff lead when designated.
• Compile and update statistical and analytical reports as required.
• Supervise and train volunteers, pages, and temporary staff, and recommend ongoing training opportunities.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Associate's degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent years of related experience.
• At least three years of experience in a library, bookstore, or direct customer service setting, with a minimum of one year in a lead or supervisory role.
• Coursework in library science, and experience in programming or social services, is desired.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days of hire, a valid New Mexico Driver’s License; City Operator’s Permit required within six months.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) preferred.

Working Conditions

• Environmental: Primarily within a library setting, with exposure to computer screens.
• Physical: Must be able to stand, walk, reach, kneel, climb, and push/pull heavy carts (100 lbs+). May require lifting/carrying up to 40 lbs or more.