Job Description
Job Title:
Library Assistant, Dannevirke
Group:
Tararua District Library
Team:
Dannevirke Community Library
Responsible To:
District Librarian
Senior Librarian
This job exists to:
 assist with the day to day operation of the library.
 process new library stock and mend existing stock.
 assist with the lending and circulation services
 assist with technical systems and processes
Job Purpose:
Hours of work:
Thirty hours per week.
Date:
October 2015
Council’s Values
Excellence:
Professionalism:
People First:
Trust:
Exceed expectations / Follow-up / Continuous improvement.
Polished appearance / Knowledgeable / Respect others /
Represent TDC positively
Acknowledgement of achievements / Empathise / Listen
Meeting commitments / Honest and direct / Supportive and loyal
Key Relationships
External
Library Users
Community Groups
Educational Groups
Internal
District Librarian
Senior Librarian
Community Services Librarians
Team members & Volunteer staff of the Dannevirke Library
Key Result Areas
The position of Library Assistant, Dannevirke encompasses the following major functions or Key
Result Areas:





Customer Services
Library Operations
Library Support Services
Administration
Organisational Responsibilities
The requirements in the above Key Result Areas are broadly identified below:
Jobholder is responsible for
Job holder is successful when
1.
Customer Services

Assisting with the provision of frontline
circulation desk services.

The Library is a safe and welcoming place
to a wide range of groups.

Providing frontline reference desk
services.

A professional reference service is
provided.

Registering new library members.

New library members are made familiar
with library services.

Assisting the Senior Librarian with
children’s programmes when required.

Children’s programmes run smoothly.

Assisting library users to use technology
and software applications provided for
public use.

Technology assistance is provided when
required.

Maintaining a high standard of customer
and public relations.

A commitment to excellence in customer
service is developed and maintained.

Providing assistance to the Technical
Services Librarian with providing
appropriate content within the Social
Media environment.

Exhibits an-depth knowledge and use of
various Social Media applications to
promote library services.
2.
Library Operations

Carrying out the circulation tasks of
issuing, returning, shelving and
renewals.

Tasks are completed in accordance with
library policy.

Assisting with reserves, interloan
requests and overdue notices.

Tasks are completed in accordance with
library policy.

Packing and despatching courier boxes
to the branch libraries, and unpacking
boxes from the branch libraries.

Boxes are despatched to branches
promptly and accurately

Assisting with setting up promotions
and library displays.
Application for Vacancy : Library Assistant, Dannevirke
October 2015
Page 2
Jobholder is responsible for
3.



Library Support Services
Labelling covering and processing new
stock.
Job holder is successful when


Providing cover for staff in other branch
libraries.
Entry of new orders on to Library

Management System.

Stock is kept up to date and in good
condition
Prompt and accurate entry of new stock
is undertaken.
Data is entered in accordance with library
policy.

Removal of deleted stock from the
Library Management System.

Data is deleted in a prompt and accurate
manner.

Maintaining and renewing the serials
database, and following up missing
items.

Serials holdings are added promptly and
data maintained. Suggestions made to
District Librarian and Senior Librarian
regarding retention and new titles.

Assisting with maintaining important
library functions in the absence of
regular personnel.

Ability is shown to back up any necessary
task in maintaining library service.

Maintenance of overdue notices.

Overdue notices are run daily and items
checked on shelves prior to notices being
sent to borrowers.
4.
Administration

Preparing and submitting banking

Banking balances and all necessary data
is forwarded to the Council

Library security when in sole charge

The library safety is not compromised
5.
Organisational Responsibilities

Attending training as required to
maintain the necessary skills to fulfil
the requirements of the position.

Council responsibilities are undertaken
and completed accurately, meeting
specified standards and within agreed
timeframes.
Application for Vacancy : Library Assistant, Dannevirke
October 2015
Page 3

Undertaking Performance Development 
tasks/responsibilities in terms of
Council’s system.

Demonstrating a proactive
commitment to a safe working
environment to meet the requirements
as set under the Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992.
Participating in and undertaking
emergency management duties as
required, including Civil Defence and
Business Continuity planning.


Participating and contributing to
Council projects and interdepartmental initiatives as
requested/agreed.

Maintaining Council property and
equipment and ensuring knowledge of
correct use of equipment is up to date.

Fulfilling administration – reporting
requirements.
Contribution to projects and Council
initiatives:
is effective and valued
is approached in a positive and
helpful manner/attitude.
Administration requirements are
completed timely and accurately as
specified.
-


Undertaking training as required for the
role assigned within the developed
emergency plans.

Actively participating in any exercise run
by the Council; or partner organisation.
Note
The above performance standards are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this
position will need further discussion between the jobholder and manager as part of the performance
development process.
Work Complexity
Most challenging duties typically undertaken:



Customer satisfaction
Interpreting reference questions accurately in order to provide pertinent information.
Quality of service
Application for Vacancy : Library Assistant, Dannevirke
October 2015
Page 4
Person Specification
This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level.
This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning
through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies.
Qualifications / Knowledge / Experience
Essential
Desirable
(indicate years of experience required as appropriate)

NCEA Level 3

Confidence with computers and
programmes

Working experience of dealing with
customers in a ‘front line’ capacity.

Good basic organisation skills.

Identifiable skills in the use of
Information technology

Knowledge and confidence using
online resources.

Current driver licence.

Library certificate
Previous library experience in other
organisations.
Key Skills /Attributes / Job Specific Competencies
The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:
Expert level
Customer focus – working to achieve total
customer satisfaction.
Interviewing skills – ability to accurately extract
information needs of patrons.
Reference/research skills – to know the most
expedient manner in which to locate information.
Advanced level
Oral Communication – to be confident and
concise when conferring with patrons.
Organisation – able to display time management
and work to deadlines.
Working Knowledge
Library systems and processes.
Working knowledge of Microsoft applications.
Internet and online resources.
Experience with customer service.
Awareness
Local government.
Treaty of Waitangi
Personal Attributes

Organisational skills, time management.

Communication skills (verbal and written).

Self motivation and initiative.
Application for Vacancy : Library Assistant, Dannevirke
October 2015
Page 5

Effective interpersonal skills to interact with library team members, library users, community
groups, Council staff and interloan libraries.

Commitment to community library and information services.
Change to job description
From time to time it may be necessary to consider changes in the job description in response to the
changing nature of our work environment– including technological requirements or statutory changes.
This Job Description may be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual
performance cycle or as required.
Employee
Date
Library Assistant, Dannevirke
Approved:
Heather Taylor
District Librarian
Date
Application for Vacancy : Library Assistant, Dannevirke
October 2015
Page 6