Library Reference Assistant

Job Summary

Hawkeye Community College’s Library is seeking a part-time Library Reference Assistant to join their team. Are you passionate about making an impact and empowering others to become lifelong learners? Do you like working independently and connecting people with the resources that they need? If so, we have a great opportunity for you!

The mission of Hawkeye’s Library is to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment that provides access, services, and resources which foster lifelong learning, encourage intellectual curiosity, and support the College’s curricular programs.  In the Library you will find things such as 28,000+ print books and 160,000+ e-books, 60+ online databases as well as rooms for studying, collaborative learning, active learning and a Quiet Space from for private reflection and de-stressing.  For additional information about the library, please visit:  Hawkeye Community College Library

Specifically, as our part-time Library Reference Assistant, you are responsible for delivering essential academic support to students during the evening and weekend hours by providing library and reference services, as well as completing all tasks associated with library circulation and interlibrary loan. Other duties would include, providing library tours to evening courses, creating and updating library research guides; troubleshooting access to the library’s online resources and resetting student passwords. Furthermore, you will be cross-trained and serve as backup for other library staff members as needed.

Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a diverse student body through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs.  Hawkeye Community College’s mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. 

Essential Job Functions  

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides basic reference service to students, faculty, staff & community.
• Manages and completes all tasks associated with interlibrary loan.
• Completes all tasks associated with the circulation of library materials.
• Develops a working knowledge of the integrated library systems and other specialized library software.
• Works independently during the evening and weekend shifts during the academic year; provides supervision over the library facility.
• Creates and updates online research guides.
• Troubleshoots library equipment, software and access problems.
• Resets student passwords.
• Instructs users in the efficient use of print and online library resources.
• Provides instruction or library tours as needed.
• Assists in keeping the library facility in an orderly and tidy manner.
• Maintains, revises and follows the procedures and practices in the library’s procedural manuals.
• Shelves materials and performs shelf-reading and other stack maintenance tasks, which may include light cleaning and/or the shifting of materials.
• Creates promotional materials in print and digital formats; assists with posts on the Library’s social media accounts and writes submissions for the campus newsletter.
• Contributes to the team effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
• Serves as back up for other library support staff members, completing tasks associated with the processing of library materials for check out, completing copy cataloging tasks, and other tasks as assigned.
• Scans archival documents as needed.
• Trains and supervises work study assistants as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree and one (1) year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience to total three (3) years. Knowledge of basic library resources.
• Demonstrated ability to work flexible hours covering evening and Sunday shifts.
• Demonstrated ability to operate various library computer systems pertaining to interlibrary loan and circulation of materials.
• Demonstrated ability to apply rules of descriptive cataloging to catalog new library materials.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal communication.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and video conferencing technology.
• Demonstrated ability to execute organization and department policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a library setting.
• Experience with reference or interlibrary loan.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Working Conditions

Anticipated work schedule is onsite at the Hawkeye Community College main campus

• Fall and Spring terms: Monday – Thursday 2pm – 8p & Sunday 12pm – 4pm unless the college is closed.
• Summer term: Varies based on need, however a typical shift is Monday – Friday 11:30am – 4:30pm 

Work is performed either in or a combination of an office setting, classroom setting using technology.  Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.   Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During course of day, interact with students, faculty, staff and the public in person, by telephone and/or computers.

Employment Status

Regular, part-time, hourly evening position averaging 28 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and 25 hours per week during the summer term. 

This position offers a choice of retirement programs – IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution) which is available up on hire.  Employees working an average of 20 hours or more per week for one-year, may be eligible for additional benefits including but not limited to:  Single dental and vision insurance, Flex Plus (IRS 125) plan and paid time off.

• Salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience.
• The wage range for this position begins at $15.53/hr.

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at hawkeyecollege.edu/employment
  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:
    • Please describe the specific skills and experience that prepares you to perform the job responsibilities of this position.
    • Please detail the specific software (including library specific systems such as Alma or Sirsi, etc.) you have a working knowledge of as well as the specific types of documents you have produced using these applications (e.g.: MS Word, Excel, Publisher, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.).
  • Submit/upload a resume.
• Priority screening is set to begin on Monday, July 1, 2024. Completed applications, along with the required materials, received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the college. 

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/equal-opportunity. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov. 

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.