Job Description

The Newton Free Library serves a dynamic, library-loving community making us one of the most active libraries in the state in terms of visits, borrowing, program offerings and items added annually to our collections. We are seeking a highly motivated, energetic, and customer service oriented person to join our collaborative team in our Borrower Services Department.

This is an opportunity for an individual with a positive attitude who enjoys interacting with the public and thrives in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment. Assist patrons in person at our busy circulation desk and over the phone. Perform a variety of office tasks and circulation duties as assigned, including checking material in and out, answering phones, processing items on-hold for patrons, unpacking and organizing deliveries from our library network and answering basic information questions. Candidates must possess excellent customer service skills, strong attention to detail and sound judgement in prioritizing tasks.
This position provides assistance to library patrons. Greets and assists patrons and callers with routine questions, directs inquirers to appropriate service points or staff. Explains routine library policies and procedures and informs patrons about programs, announcements, and meeting locations. Helps library users locate desired information and resources and makes them available as soon as possible. May suggest patron reading materials.

This position also processes library returns, checkouts, renewals, reserves, registrations and computes and collects fines and fees utilizing the library's computerized systems. May open or close service points. Sorts returned items for shelving. Processes bills, overdue and final notices. They will take requests for museum passes and provides patrons with related information.

Hours: 5-10 hours during the week and every other Saturday 9-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm (Sundays are paid at time and a half).

Responsibilities:

• Assist patrons at our busy main circulation desk. Perform a variety of office tasks and circulation duties as assigned or needed including checking material in and out, answering phones, processing items on-hold for patrons, unpacking and organizing delivers from our library network and answering basic information questions.
• Follows and adheres to department, City and other government rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Must be capable of lifting 40 pounds.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

This is a non-benefited position