Library Specialist I (West University Branch Library)

Harris County Public Library (HCPL) - History

The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) system established in 1921 began as a collection of small libraries located in stores post offices and private homes. Over the years it has grown into a robust network comprising 26 branch libraries two technology service centers and two partner locations that provide collection and circulation services. HCPL serves the communities of unincorporated Harris County and cities without independent library systems.

In 2024 HCPL received the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service the highest honor awarded to libraries in the United States. Bestowed annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) this award recognizes institutions that deliver exceptional service to their communities. The library was recognized for innovative initiatives like HCPL Connected Enhanced Library Cards and its Mobile Outreach Librarian program.

HCPL is also recognized as one of the best places to work offering a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters innovation collaboration and professional growth. Its dedication to employee well-being diversity and community impact makes HCPL more than just a workplaceits where individuals can grow inspire and contribute to meaningful change.

The Library Specialist I provides frontline customer service and entry-level specialized support for daily library operations. The position assists patrons with library card registration account maintenance circulation transactions readers advisory basic reference and research digital resources and technology or lab activities; processes sorts shelves and maintains library materials; and plans delivers and promotes programs for patrons of all ages. The position also supports collection maintenance community outreach opening and closing activities facility readiness and accurate service records while protecting patron confidentiality. The position contributes to safe organized welcoming and inclusive access to information technology and learning resources.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides courteous responsive and inclusive frontline customer service to patrons in person by telephone and through approved electronic communication channels.
• Greets patrons identifies their needs explains available services and resources and connects them with the appropriate staff member or service when additional assistance is required.
• Performs circulation and patron-account functions using the integrated library system and established procedures.
• Registers patrons for library cards; verifies and updates account information; checks materials in and out; places and processes holds; renews materials; explains notices fees and account status; accepts approved payments when assigned; and maintains accurate transaction records.
• Protects the confidentiality of patron registration account circulation reference technology-use and other service information in accordance with applicable law and library policy.
• Provides readers advisory and basic reference and research assistance for patrons of all ages.
• Uses the library catalog print materials databases digital collections and credible online sources to help patrons locate evaluate and use information and refers advanced sensitive or specialized requests to professional staff.
• Assists patrons with public computers printers scanners copiers wireless access e-books databases mobile devices digital resources and approved makerspace or lab equipment.
• Provides basic digital-literacy instruction explains standard technology procedures troubleshoots routine equipment or access issues and reports unresolved problems.
• Plans prepares delivers and promotes assigned educational cultural literacy technology and enrichment programs for children teens adults older adults families and other community groups.
• Develops activities within established guidelines; coordinates logistics and promotion; records attendance and feedback; and recommends service improvements.
• Supports community outreach and engagement by promoting library services participating in approved off-site activities and maintaining cooperative relationships with schools nonprofit organizations neighborhood groups and other community partners.
• Supports collection development and stewardship by recommending materials based on customer requests and community interests and by assisting with selection projects as assigned.
• Shelves and shelf-read materials; maintains accurate order and attractive displays; assists with merchandising inventory missing-item searches weeding and collection projects; and follows collection-management guidelines and staff direction.
• Processes and routes library materials accurately and efficiently including returns from service desks and book drops holds transfers deliveries and items requiring repair review or special handling.
• Supports daily branch operations by assisting with opening and closing procedures service-desk coverage room and equipment readiness public-area organization signage supply monitoring and assigned operational checklists.
• Explains and applies library policies procedures service standards and customer-conduct expectations consistently and respectfully.
• Resolves routine account service and customer concerns within assigned authority and promptly refers policy exceptions repeated complaints threatening behavior suspected legal issues or other complex matters to designated staff or management.
• Promotes a safe and welcoming environment by observing branch conditions following emergency and incident procedures documenting significant events as directed and promptly reporting safety security accessibility maintenance or facility concerns.
• Maintains accurate program outreach circulation collection equipment inventory payment and service records and provides data or reports needed to monitor activities and support operational decisions.
• Works collaboratively with branch employees volunteers and community partners to coordinate service coverage exchange information complete assignments and support branch and system initiatives.
• Participates in staff meetings required training committees workgroups activities and professional-development opportunities and applies updated procedures and service practices to assigned work.
• Uses approved communication and promotional tools including email calendars flyers web content and social media to share accurate information about library resources programs and services in accordance with established guidelines.
• Performs routine administrative and operational tasks including preparing forms and correspondence maintaining schedules and files monitoring supplies and assisting with special projects.
• Performs other related circulation programming collection customer-service technology-support outreach and operational duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
• One (1) year of experience planning delivering or supporting programs or activities for all ages of children teens adults older adults families or community groups.
• One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers clients students visitors or members of the public is required under each education and experience option.

• Associate degree in any field or 60 hours of secondary education credits from an accredited college or university
• Three (3) years of experience planning delivering or supporting programs or activities for all ages of children teens adults older adults families or community groups.
• One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers clients students visitors or members of the public is required under each education and experience option.

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent
• Five (5) yearsof experience planning delivering or supporting programs or activities for all ages of children teens adults older adults families or community groups.
• One (1) year of customer service experience involving direct interaction with customers clients students visitors or members of the public is required under each education and experience option.

• Available and reliable transportation for work-related duties
• Unofficial copies of transcripts are required along with the application

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook)
• Proficient with Social Media (Facebook Twitter Instagram etc.)
• Proficient with the Internet and Office 365
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment
• Ability to work well with public and staff members
• Ability to exercise initiative and act with discretion
• Must use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process

Experience:

• Experience working in a public school or academic library; government agency; nonprofit organization; or related public-service environment. (preferred)
• Experience serving diverse age groups through customer service programming outreach learning activities or digital-literacy assistance. (preferred)
• Experience using an integrated library system to perform circulation patron-account materials-processing or shelving functions. (preferred)
• Experience providing readers advisory basic reference or research assistance and supporting collection displays inventory weeding or selection activities. (preferred)
• Experience using Microsoft 365 social media digital devices makerspace or lab equipment and online communication or promotional tools. (preferred)

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-time Regular 40 hours a week
• Work is primarily performed in a public library environment and includes regular interaction with patrons and employees frequent movement throughout the branch and extended periods of computer use. The position is generally scheduled Monday through Saturday and may include rotating daytime evening and weekend shifts based on operational needs. Occasional travel to other library locations and attendance at off-site meetings training outreach activities programs and community events may be required. Some assignments may be performed outdoors with exposure to inclement weather and varying temperatures.

• $20 Per Hour
• Paid Biweekly

• This job typically operates in a professional office environment with overhead lighting and long periods of screen time.
• Daily use of a computer keyboard copier scanner printer calculator phone (desk and cell).
• Daily use of software programs including Microsoft Office Suite Outlook Word Excel and GPS.
• At times work may be performed in an outdoor environment and may have possible exposure to inclement weather or various temperature changes.
• Driving: Available and reliable transportation for work-related duties.
• Sitting for long periods; light physical activity that may include walking standing stooping bending reaching lifting and carrying.
• Ability to lift carry and exert up to 25 pounds. Occasionally lifts carries and exerts up to 40 pounds.

• Reports To Position: Library Manager I II or III
• Supervises Positions: None

Work Location:

• West University Branch Library 6108 Auden Street Houston TX 77005