GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Part-Time Library Assistant plays an important role at MCLA by providing access to library services, collections, and facilities on a small, residential liberal arts college campus. Core job duties include staffing the front desk; circulating library materials; answering basic informational, directional, and policy questions in a variety of modalities; gathering data and monitoring conditions in the library facility; assisting with collections maintenance; opening and closing the building; referring specialized questions to librarians and other campus service providers; and participating in ongoing and special projects

SUPERVISON RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of the Associate Dean for Library Services and the direct supervision of full-time Library Assistants

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: No formal supervisory responsibilities. May help oversee the work of student employees. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work at the library's front desk: check items in and out; answer basic informational, directional, and technical questions; and complete routine off-desk tasks such as shelving books and retrieving holds.
2. Interact with library visitors in a friendly, professional manner; help create a welcoming and inclusive library experience; resolve issues according to procedures and policies.
3. Collaborate with other staff to determine workflow and make decisions about security and service.
4. Perform opening/closing procedures, including securing equipment, clearing the building, and locking/unlocking entrances.
5. Periodically move throughout the facility to perform headcounts, monitor building conditions, and assist visitors.
6. Assist with ongoing and special projects such as displays, library events, inventory, and book repair; participate in shelf reading, shifting, and other stacks maintenance activities.
7. Maintain knowledge of Freel Library circulation policies and information resources. Refer patrons with specialized questions to librarians or other campus service providers as appropriate.
8. Oversee the work of student library assistants in the absence of full-time staff.
9. Provide substitute coverage for staff absences, when possible.
10. Assist with other general library duties as requested by supervisors.

Minimum:

• At least one year of experience working directly with the public in a library, customer service/retail, or similar environment.
• Proficient in basic office software, hardware, and applications, including Microsoft Office, Windows hardware and operating system, online communication tools, and printers/scanners

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• At least one year of experience in the library field via employment, internship, volunteering, and/or coursework in a library science program.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully as part of a diverse community
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service
• Strong self-motivation and a proactive approach to work
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and with others in a collaborative environment
• Reliability, punctuality, and the ability to work regularly assigned shifts as scheduled

Physical Demands:

Routine work requires the following, with or without accommodation: 

• Moving between and throughout the floors of the building
• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at will.
• Lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds
• Reaching overhead and at/below shoulder level
• Pushing and pulling doors and book carts
• Keyboarding
• Gross and fine manipulation of objects
• Understanding and distinguishing speech and other sounds
• Near and far visual acuity

These are two part-time, permanent, non-benefitted, 9 month positions working 7.5-15 hours per week. The salary for these positions is $17.50/hour.

Schedule Details:

• Fall and spring semesters when classes are in session (early September-mid December; mid-January-mid May), for an average of 30 weeks per year. This position is not scheduled to work during breaks in the academic calendar (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break) or summers.
• Available hours currently include Mondays 9-5, Fridays 9-5, and Sundays 12-5, to be split between two positions. Additional regular hours may become available, and frequent substitute opportunities arise. Availability to cover occasional Saturdays is desirable.
• Schedules may change from semester to semester based on the needs of the library
• At times, the library remains open during inclement weather, and this position is expected to work any regularly scheduled hours under those circumstances.
• Regular hours to begin on or after Wednesday, September 2, 2026; training/orientation to take place in late August/early September.

Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources. 

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.  

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both. 

Lucas Morrill

Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator 

375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247 

Telephone: (413) 662-5103

Titleix@mcla.edu 

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights  

33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424  

Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172  

OCR.Boston@ed.gov