Job Description

DEPARTMENT: Library
STATUS: Auxiliary
NO. OF POSITIONS: Up to 5
UNION: CUPE, Local 387
HOURS OF WORK: See below*
SALARY: $39.19 – $46.22 per hour (2023 rates)plus 12% in lieu of benefits

The City of New Westminster is a socially, economically and culturally diverse community of approximately 82,000 residents. As a core civic service, New Westminster Public Library aims to engage, strengthen and connect the community by inspiring exploration, imagination, creativity and lifelong learning. We emphasize the development and delivery of innovative programs and services that reflect our commitment to the principles of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, delivered through the lens of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice. We are committed to reconciliation with our First Nations and urban indigenous community, constantly learning, evolving and adapting our practice to the changing needs of our community, seeking always to identify and remove barriers to service.

Who we are looking for:
The New Westminster Public Library is seeking auxiliary librarians to join our team. This is a perfect opportunity for individuals who are genuinely passionate about connecting customers with library collections, services, and programs through excellent customer service. The ideal candidate is seeking to refine their generalist library skills while also contributing to the provision of public services and programming at the Library. As part of this competition we will be hiring some auxiliary librarians specifically to support children and youth services and programming.

Primary responsibilities include:
• Answering a wide range of reference and information questions from the public;
• Connecting library customers with diverse library materials to read, watch and listen to;
• Assisting library users with internet and other public technology questions, including Chromebooks, desktop computers, and e-readers;
• Assisting adult, child, and teen customers throughout the library;
• Occasional programming may include story time, school programs, adult programs, technology programs, and library tours;
• Preparing recommended resource lists and displays for adult, children’s, or teen collections; and
• Assisting with collection development and other tasks as time allows.

Preferred candidates are those who are available to work a variety of shifts, including daytime, evenings and weekends. Shifts available include coverage for vacation and other planned leave for existing staff, as well as last-minute coverage. Shifts may involve working in any of our adult or children’s public service departments.

Required Qualifications:
• Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited University;
• Experience providing front-facing customer service in a Public Library setting, or in an equivalent customer service environment;
• Excellent customer service skills and demonstrated ability and patience to deal calmly, courteously, and effectively with people of all ages and backgrounds;
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work effectively and courteously with a wide range of library users, as well as colleagues that come from different backgrounds and belief systems;
• Problem solving and troubleshooting skills;
• Patience in supporting library users with technology, collection, and information questions;
• Enthusiasm for public service work and the ability to communicate with diplomacy and tact;
• Knowledge of the Horizon Library System and BiblioCommons, or another ILS;
• Demonstrated ability and confidence using a wide range of computer hardware including PCs, tablets and laptops, and software, including MS. Office Suite products, and a genuine willingness to learn when faced with unfamiliar technology;
• A genuine interest, comfort, and passion for learning, and for assisting the public in using consumer and emerging technologies;
• Experience and/or course work in services and programming for children and families extremely desirable;
• The successful candidate is required to successfully pass and maintain a clear Criminal Records Check.

Desired Qualifications:
• Candidates speaking languages other than English, or who possess lived experience in populations traditionally underserved by libraries, or personal understanding of barriers to library service are strongly encouraged to apply

*Shifts will include daytime, evening, and weekend work, and may occur at either the Main branch or Queensborough location. Auxiliary staff are expected to work a combination of daytime, evening, and weekend shifts. Some shifts will be scheduled in advance due to known vacancies (vacations, projects) while others are due to emergent needs (staff illness), so flexibility is essential. Applicants who can’t demonstrate flexibility with their schedule availability will not be considered.

Interview Process:
• Applicants selected for an interview will receive interview questions in advance.
• In-person interviews will be conducted by a small panel at the Library, and we anticipate interviews to occur in January 2024.
• Applicants seeking accommodations to this interview process should contact Shelley Wilson-Roberts at [email protected] in confidence.

Apply by sending your cover letter and resume in one document, including your availability for on-call work, and the names of 3 professional references, at www.newwestcity.ca/employment by December 29, 2023

**Applications missing the required documents and required format will not be reviewed.

To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.
New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq’eméylem-speaking peoples.
It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land.
We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.

We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.

Required languages: English

Education level: *refer to job description

Required skills: *refer to job description

Additional skills / Assets: *refer to job description

Closest intersection: 6th Ave & 7th St