Reports to: Theology Librarian Classification: Part-Time, Non-exempt, Student (Enrolled) Direct reports: None Position Description The role of a Library Assistant at the Phoenix campus is to provide exceptional, welcoming customer service and basic research support to library patrons, support circulation and access of materials, oversee library tidiness and shelf management, and manage day-to-day desk operations, including opening/closing procedures, to ensure the smooth, efficient operation of the Biola library. Alignment with Theological Positions The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola.
Department Library
Supervisor Theology Librarian
Educational Requirements Current enrollment as a student at Biola University.
Work Requirements
- Non-exempt, part-time student employee.
- This position requires personal attendance on-site at the Phoenix campus in Scottsdale, AZ.
- Must be able to work shifts including evening and weekend hours as scheduled.
Essential Duties
- Customer Service & Reception: Warmly greet, welcome, and assist library patrons in person, over the phone, and via email or library online chat. Answer directional, informational, and basic research questions, and triage/escalate complex inquiries to librarians or library staff as needed.
- Circulation & Access Desk Operations: Operate the circulation desk using the library management system (FOLIO) to check in and check out library materials. Confirm study room requests, manage reserves, enforce/explain library access policies.
- Holds, Inter-Campus & ILL Logistics: Regularly monitor, search for, and pull hold requests from prepared lists and patron requests. Efficiently process, pack, ship, receive, and route inter-campus material transfers between library locations as well as Interlibrary Loan (ILL) mail shipments to ensure timely delivery and access for patrons.
- Patron Service & Support: Assist patrons in locating hard-to-find materials and using online digital tools, including ebooks, library databases, the library website, FAQs, and library services such as ILL and pick-up services.
- Shelf Management & Stack Maintenance: Collect unshelved materials, organize, reshelve, order, and edge items accurately and in a timely manner. Perform regular shelf-reads, inventory checks, and searches from prepared lists or patron requests. Receive and prepare inter-campus and ILL mail items.
- Library Tidiness & Facility Upkeep: Maintain a clean, orderly environment by gathering unshelved items, straightening chairs, picking up trash, resolving noise issues, and cleaning designated areas.
- Technology & Metrics Tracking: Record desk interaction statistics using Springshare/LibApps and communicate with the team using chat, email, and phone.
- Opening and Closing Procedures: Follow established library procedures to safely open, secure, and close the library facility according to schedule.
- Training & Projects: Participate in ongoing training to maintain proficiency across all library operations and assist staff with special projects including classification conversion, cleaning, maintenance, and inventory.
- All other duties as assigned that the supervisor determines are appropriate.
Objective Goals to be Attained
- Deliver warm, efficient, high-quality customer service with zero unaddressed patron inquiries during desk shifts.
- Maintain precise accuracy in shelf-reading, reshelving, hold processing, and inter-campus / ILL material transfers to minimize misplaced materials and ensure timely availability.
- Ensure 100% compliance with opening/closing checklists, security policies, and defined operational routines.
Required Skills/Qualifications
Hard Skills:
- Basic knowledge of library services and functions.
- Ability to operate computers and office equipment, to perform detailed computer work with speed and accuracy.
Soft Skills:
- High personal and professional integrity consistent with Biola’s stated theological positions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing).
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of patrons.
- Ability to multitask while providing excellent customer service.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Willing to abide by the Biola Library Dress Code.
Physical Demands & Schedule Availability:
- Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk / using a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times (ability to tow, push, lift, and arrange library items, carts, and furniture).
- Must be able to reach and stoop.
- Must be able to work evenings and weekends on a consistent basis.
- Willing to pick up shifts as needed.
Other Desired Duties/Skills
- Answer phones for the Phoenix location.
- Experience and understanding of seminary education and the needs of seminary library patrons (preferred).
- Strong computer skills.
Work Schedule:
- Must be able to work varied hours.