Library Assistant

UCI Series Concepts

Class Specifications - B.15
Library Assistant V (6758)
Library Assistant IV (6759)
Library Assistant III (6760)
Library Assistant II (6761)
Library Assistant I (6762)

April, 1983

SERIES CONCEPT

Library Assistants perform and/or supervise technical and/or paraprofessional
Duties, typically under the direction of a Librarian, in one or more 
Functional areas in libraries and related units that are administered in 
accordance with the practices and techniques of professional librarianship and 
perform related duties required.

The term, technical, as it relates to Library Assistants' duties indicates 
that incumbents perform duties that require knowledge of terminology, 
practices, systems, and procedures that is unique to a library setting.

The term, paraprofessional, as it relates to Library Assistants' duties 
indicates that incumbents perform complex technical duties of a limited 
professional nature, in prescribed areas, under the direction of or in 
conjunction with Librarians. These duties typically do not require the 
application of academic training in library principles and procedures at 
the full professional level.

Duties performed in the Library Assistant series cover a range of diverse 
butspecific areas of operational responsibility within the library such as:

    -  public service including circulation and information services;
    -  processing including identifying and acquiring library materials,
       preparing library materials for use and conserving library
       materials;
    -  specialized subject and language knowledge at a level necessary
       to assist in the process of developing and processing library
       collections;
    -  leading or supervising employees in a working unit.

Work performed by Library Assistants in the above areas of responsibility 
typically occurs within the following functional areas:

    -  identification and acquisition of library materials;
    -  preparation and organization of library materials;
    -  preservation of library materials;
    -  bibliographic searching and retrieval;
    -  serials processing;
    -  circulation and lending;
    -  reference and information services.

Specific tasks performed include but are not limited to: ordering and 
receiving library materials, cataloging and classification, bibliographic 
searching, information services, circulation services, serials posting and 
claiming, processing of library records into machine-readable form, and 
maintenance and repair of library materials.

The Library Assistant series consists of five levels that recognize 
increasing degrees of work difficulty, supervisory/managerial responsibility 
and/or specialization in functional areas depending on work assignments in 
one or more library units.

Library Assistants at the highest levels of the series typically work under
the direction of a Librarian as Subject Specialists, Functional Specialists,
Special Material Experts, or Supervisors of Library Units. As Subject 
Specialists, incumbents possess substantial subject and/or language 
background and, in the areas of special knowledge, apply their expertise in 
support of the acquisition, processing, and use of library materials. As 
Functional Specialists, incumbents possess substantial knowledge and 
background in a particular library function and apply their expertise in 
expediting the acquisition, use, and processing of library materials. As 
Special Material Experts, incumbents apply specialized knowledge to process 
and service particular forms of library materials such as manuscripts, maps, 
and non-print media. As Supervisors of Library Units, incumbents are assigned 
responsibility for representing their units to library department heads, 
faculty, students, staff, and the general public in addition to managing 
the activities of their units.

The Library Assistant series is distinguished from other staff series in the
library system in that the positions usually involve a set of duties unique
to library practices and procedures. Library Assistants differ from 
Librarians in that Library Assistants focus primarily on tasks and functions 
within assigned areas of responsibility whereas the scope of the Librarians' 
responsibility involves the entire library, the community it serves and the 
profession as a whole. Library Assistants work within policy parameters 
established by Librarians.

CLASS CONCEPTS

Library Assistant V

Under the general direction of a Librarian, incumbents coordinate activities
involved in the operation of a complex library unit and/or perform the most
complex duties of a paraprofessional nature in a functional or highly 
specialized subject area. The Library Assistant V class is distinguished from 
the Library Assistant IV class by the greater scope of coordinating 
responsibilities (full supervisory responsibility in a more complex library 
unit) or by the performance of more complex specialized duties that require 
more frequent independent application of paraprofessional knowledge of library 
practices and procedures.

Library Assistant IV

Under direction, incumbents perform difficult specialized duties that require
frequent independent application of a paraprofessional knowledge of library
principles and procedures and, in addition, may have supervisory responsibility
within the library unit. Assignments are defined in terms of a functional area
or specialized subject matter field. This class differs from the Library 
Assistant III class in that the work performed requires frequent application 
of paraprofessional knowledge of library practices and procedures. The scope 
of supervisory responsibility is typically greater at the Library Assistant IV
level than at the Library Assistant III level.

Library Assistant III

Under general supervision, incumbents perform specialized duties requiring
technical library skills at the advanced operational level and/or 
paraprofessional library skills and a general knowledge of library practices 
and procedures. Incumbents in addition may serve as work leaders in a complex
library unit or as supervisors of a small unit. Work leaders typically 
perform the more difficult tasks in the unit in addition to assigning and 
reviewing work performed by lower level Library Assistants and clerical 
personnel. Supervisors at this level typically hire and recommend disciplinary
action for personnel in addition to assigning, reviewing, and evaluating work.
Assignments are defined in terms of a functional area specialty, covering 
general or specialized subject-matter fields, and work is usually performed 
within the limits set by the guidelines of the library unit. Work is subject 
to review when solution of a problem involves new applications of established 
guidelines. The Library Assistant III class differs from the Library Assistant 
II class in that the work performed requires use of paraprofessional and 
advanced operational technical skills involving a general knowledge of library 
practices and procedures.

Library Assistant II

Under supervision, incumbents perform technical duties requiring operational
level skills and a basic knowledge of library, practices, and procedures.
Assignments are defined in terms of functional areas within the library unit,
with the nature of the problem identified and the specific objectives defined
in consultation with higher level Library Assistants or with Librarians. 
Identification of the problem typically utilizes a written code or manual. 
Incumbents work within established library guidelines in arriving at solutions 
and exercise judgment in determining the applicability of guidelines to 
specific problems. Work is subject to review when problems involve making 
decisions outside the limits established by the guidelines. Incumbents work 
in one or more areas of functional responsibility within a library unit as 
described in the series concept. The Library Assistant II class differs from 
the Library Assistant I class in that the duties assigned are more difficult, 
are performed with less supervision, and require technical operational level 
skills and a basic knowledge of library practices and procedures.

Library Assistant I

Under supervision, incumbents perform clearly defined technical duties in a
library unit in one or more areas of functional responsibility as described 
in the series concept. Work is performed according to prescribed procedures 
and/or defined instructions and is usually subject to close and continuing 
review until the standard procedures are learned. This is the entry level in 
the series; however, positions may be assigned to this level on a continuing 
basis. This class differs from other classes in the clerical/administrative 
series in that the work performed requires knowledge that is unique to the 
library system.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for positions in the Library Assistant series are expected to 
possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful 
performance of the duties assigned to the positions.