Phoenixville Library News & Job Openings

Position: P/T Circulation Assistant
Reports To: Circulation Manager

Summary / Main Purpose of Job:
The Phoenixville Public Library is a non-profit organization with the mission of providing access to educational, cultural, and recreational resources for the community it serves. The library is currently seeking part-time circulation assistant who will report to the Circulation Manager. Part-time circulation assistants are responsible for performing all circulation duties in a timely, efficient manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
* Performs all circulation desk duties using computerized system
* Check materials in/out/renew materials
* Reserve materials
* Issues new patron cards/updates cards
* Manages the routing of Holds
* Collect patron fines and fees and make change as needed.
* Performs all opening/closing procedures in work area/public areas
* Turn on/off all computers/copiers/printers
* Empty book drops
* Notifies patrons about reserved materials
* Answers phone and routes calls as necessary
* Update computer records, as requested.
* Performs basic reference work or refers it to senior staff in charge
* Assists patrons in locating materials through the library catalog
* Assisting patrons with finding library materials, providing reader’s advisory, answering basic computer queries, and monitoring appropriate use of the facility.
* Inspect returned materials for damage.
* Be familiar with all print and other items located at the Circulation Desks, for public or staff use.
* Maintain neatness and orderliness at the Desks at all times.
* Perform circulation procedures effectively and accurately according to the principles of quality customer service.
* Greets, direct, and provide information to library customers and performs a variety of clerical tasks related to the processing, sorting and circulation of library materials.
* Respond to incoming telephone calls and provide basic assistance with directional, instructional and informational inquiries at the circulation desks and public workstations.
* Candidates must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and have excellent customer service and computer skills.
* Keep abreast of all System changes and improvements.
* Perform assigned tasks and projects completely and in a timely manner.
* Handle financial transactions accurately.
* Respond to requests for help from customers.
* Keep pace with all library policies, staff meeting minutes and changes in Procedure Manual.
* Attend in-house departmental and staff meetings, county or regional educational programs for staff development or basic computer or Internet education, as requested or assigned by the Circulation Manager

Qualifications/Requirements
* High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED), some college preferred.
* Basic office skills (typing, filing, answering phones, etc.).
* Knowledge of Microsoft Office (preferred)
* Previous experience working in library with computerized systems (preferred).
* Customer service skills.
* Basics knowledge and use of computers, e-mail, and the internet.
* Some knowledge of reference materials and other resources, as well as the ability to use computers to access these resources including the Internet, is required.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit; walk; stand; bend at the waist while working; kneel, stoop, crouch or squat; talk or hear; handle and lift up to 25 pounds; push a cart of books that weighs up to 125 pounds; and sit at a computer terminal for up to 4 hours at a time. Occasionally, the employee will need to work with arms above shoulders or reach above shoulder height.
The specific vision requirements for this position are as follows:
* Close vision.
* Color vision.
* Ability to read and alphabetize and place items in numeric order.

The following background checks are required:
* Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check
* Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance
* Federal Criminal History Record Information

Hours:
4-8 hours per week as afternoon shifts as well as flexibility to cover other shifts when needed. One eight hour shift on one Saturday a month is required.

Salary: $9.75/hour

Submit cover letter and resume to:
Christine Nicholson
Circulation Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
Phoenixville Public Library
183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA 19460-3243

Phoenixville Public Library will launch its museum pass lending program in June.  You will be able to use your Chester County Library System card to gain free access to museums and other popular attractions in the Philadelphia area.  Passes will be available for:

• Academy of Natural Sciences
• Chanticleer Gardens
• Elmwood Park Zoo
• Morris Arboretum
• Museum of the American Revolution (already available!)
• Mütter Museum
• National Constitution Center
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
• University of Pennsylvania Museum
• Wharton Esherick Museum

We will be rolling out these passes during the month of June as we receive them.  The passes will be available for FREE 3-day checkout to patrons age 18 or older with an up-to-date library card in good standing.  Holds may be placed in person or by phone to 610-933-3013 x121.  For more information, call 610-933-3013 x132 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org.

Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer experience?  The Phoenixville Public Library Adult Services Department is looking for additional individuals to instruct patrons one-on-one in the basics of using computers and the Internet.  Fluency in the use of computers, laptops, smartphones, standard office productivity software, e-mail, the Web, and social networking tools is required, as are strong communication and interpersonal skills, friendliness, patience, and approachability.

Availability of two hours a week is desired.  Daytime and evening hours are available.  Applicant must submit to criminal background checks and child abuse clearance.  If interested, or for more information, see Mark Pinto, Adult Services Director, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 132 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org.

Effective Monday, November 28, the Library will open daily at 9:30 AM.  Closing times will remain the same.

Need Internet access at home, on vacation, or on the road for your business?  Phoenixville Public Library has partnered with T-Mobile to offer a limited number of mobile hotspots to our patrons for a nominal fee.  The Library hotspot program allows Chester County Library System card holders to access unlimited, high-speed Internet service anywhere a T-Mobile signal can be received.  Connect up to ten devices at a time, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.  Phoenixville Library offers hotspots for 7 or 14 day loan periods.  Rental fee is $14.00 for 7 days or $28.00 for 14 days.  Hotspots must be picked up from and returned to the Phoenixville Library’s Adult Circulation Desk, and are not reservable in advance.  Eligible borrowers must be at least 18 years of age, have an up-to-date library card and registration, have a library account in good standing (no fines or fees owed or other restrictions), and must pay the rental fee at the time of pickup.  Hotpots MAY NOT be returned to the outside bookdrops ($5.00 fine will apply).  For more information, call 610-933-3013 x122 or x132.

Mobile printing is now available at Phoenixville Public Library.  With the Library’s new MobilePrint Service, you can use your personal computer or mobile device to print to the Library’s printers from anywhere!  Did your home printer crash?  Are you on the go and need to print something from your smartphone or tablet?  Simply submit the documents for printing and come to the Library to release and pick them up, using an e-mail address.  To print from a home or office laptop or desktop, visit http://www.printeron.net/ppl/secondavenue.  To print from a tablet or smartphone app, install the PrinterOn app, available for free from your device’s app ‘store’, and search for Phoenixville.  You may also e-mail from any device to the Library’s print system at ppl-secondavenue-bw@printspots.com (black and white printouts) or ppl-secondavenue-color@printspots.com (color printouts).  Regular printing charges apply.  For more information, call 610-933-3013 x132.

The Library recently received a donation of a desktop video magnifier, for use in enlarging printed type, pictures, handwriting, and small details.  It is available for patron use at the Information Desk in the Adult Library.  Magnification level and display colors can be adjusted, and the device is simple to operate.  For more information, call 610-933-3013 x132.

Due to the inclement weather, the Library is closed today, Tuesday, December 10.  We expect to reopen at 9 AM on Wednesday, December 11.

The Library has just installed a new telephone system.  All of the Library’s phone extensions are now three digits long, with a 1 added to the beginning of the old two-digit extension numbers.  For example, the extension for the Children’s Library Circulation Desk used to be 24 and is now 124.  See http://www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/staff-board/ for the new phone extensions of Library management staff.  Every effort has been made to update phone extension numbers referenced on the pages of our website.  If we’ve missed any, please contact us to let us know.  Thank you!

Those of you planning to come to the Library on Thursday evening, July 11, should be aware of street closures and traffic issues in Phoenixville surrounding the Criterium bicycle race that takes place tomorrow from 5 to 9 PM.  Please click the following link for more information:

http://www.phoenixvillechamber.org/newsletter_archive/CGP_Phoenixville_Resident-Business_Notice_2013-1.pdf  Thank you.