Library Technician, Public Services

When you join Okanagan College, you’re joining a team that’s transforming lives and communities.
Every course you create, every student you support and every connection you build, it all matters.
Be a part of a vibrant campus community, where the work you do every day truly makes a difference.

Your Opportunity

- Under the limited supervision of the Manager, Library & Learning Commons Operations, and in coordination with the Campus Library Coordinator, Librarians, Library Technicians, and other campus service areas, the Library Technician, Public Services provides excellent customer service to students, employees, and community members. The position assists users with information resources and general inquiries, refers or responds to inquiries as appropriate, and supports users in navigating online tools, websites, and student portals. The Library Technician also performs basic technical services and collection maintenance, provides direction to student employees, and contributes to library projects, outreach activities, and other service initiatives.

Functions and Duties

- Assists all library users, including students, employees and community users electronically, in-person, and by phone; handles queries in a sensitive and timely manner; follows up on general inquiries and service requests as required; answers directional questions and inquiries regarding library services, learning resources, College services, and campus resources; assists users in navigating College systems and self-service tools; communicates library and college-wide policies and procedures; and refers complex matters to the Campus Library Coordinator, Librarian, the Manager, or other service areas as appropriate.

- Provides guidance to users locating materials, searching for information using the online catalogue, research databases, and online sources, properly citing sources, using library equipment such as photocopiers and printers, resolving routine software or user account questions, and provides assistance accessing college websites, online systems, and self-service tools.

- Processes requests for physical and electronic library material from users, ensuring materials are delivered in the most efficient manner; prepares intercampus deliveries.

- Charges, discharges and renews library materials and other equipment.

- Maintains and accesses library accounts and records, flags accounts for overdue items.

- Assists users with room and appointment bookings.

- Collects and records payments, fines, and fees in accordance with established procedures.

- Supports basic technical services processes including acquisitions, processing, and maintenance of electronic and physical books, serials, media, and other materials; unpacks shipments and verifies against invoices, receives materials, assigns barcodes, labels materials, and adds holding and item records to the Library Services Platform; prepares processed material for intercampus delivery; contributes to the maintenance of procedures manuals; makes minor repairs to library materials and refers damaged materials requiring assessment to the librarian; communicates with Technical Services staff regarding collection-related issues.

- Assists with the maintenance of library collections through activities such as shelving, shelf reading, inventory, preparation of materials for transfer or storage, and deselection.

- Records public service and space-use statistics using established methods, and provides feedback to support service planning, delivery, and continuous improvement.

- Monitors the condition of public service area facilities, technology, and equipment; identifies and reports technical or software issues, submits work or IT requests, and follows up with appropriate service areas.

- As directed, uses the College’s communication channels, such as social media, to manage and develop promotional content and news stories related to library programs, services, resources, and expertise; promotes library programs and services through the creation of displays, resources, and handouts, as assigned.

- In the absence of the Campus Library Coordinator, or when assigned, oversees the overall operation of the library and learning commons facilities based on established procedures, such as library opening and closing procedures, assisting with coordination and scheduling of circulation activities, updating library hours information, and collecting and accounting for payments in the public services area.

- Provides day-to-day direction for student employees in the absence of the Campus Library Coordinator, Librarian, or the Manager by directing tasks, answering routine questions, monitoring workflow, and communicating performance issues to appropriate supervisors.

- Maintains current knowledge of library services, procedures, systems, and College services; applies this knowledge to maintain and update standard information resources and knowledge tools used to support library and college services and to provide accurate information, user support, and referrals.

- Performs other duties of similar complexity and scope, as assigned.

Education and Experience

- Completion of a 2-year Library Technician Diploma. A minimum of 1-year related library experience.

- Experience working with digital or physical collections and/or metadata/cataloguing is an asset.

Skills and Abilities

- Ability to provide a high level of customer service, to handle user complaints, suggestions, and to resolve conflict.

- Excellent computer skills and proficiency with MS Office programs and digital communication tools (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams).

- Aptitude for learning and working with new systems, software, and processes.

- Knowledge of library systems and services, research processes, online search techniques, and strategies to mitigate dis/misinformation.

- Proficiency in the use of digital technologies such as library services platforms, eBook and/or audiobook platforms, library databases, and Learning Management Systems.

- Ability to work effectively independently, with limited supervision, and as part of a distributed team.

- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.

- Flexible when managing conflicting priorities and a high volume of work to meet deadlines.

- Demonstrated organizational skills that reflect attention to detail and accuracy.

- Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position such as repetitive movements, lift/move objects up to 15 pounds, and occasionally lift/move objects up to 25 pounds.

Our Values

- Students first: Creating meaningful life-long educational opportunities of the highest quality for alumni, current, and future students is at the heart of everything we do.

- Community: We are one College. We enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to work with, learn from, and support everyone we encounter collaboratively and collegially.

- Respect: We welcome, embrace, and celebrate that which make us unique in creating an environment in which every individual is valued, affirming our commitment to human dignity for all.

- Courage: We are courageous in our actions in areas that contribute to positive change in our communities and beyond. We have the courage to be vulnerable. We are truthful, sincere, and act ethically with honesty and fairness.

- Relationships: We steward meaningful relationships built on a foundation of reciprocity. We are compassionate, empathic, and care for the holistic well-being of students, employees, community members, and the land.

- Distinction: We choose activities in which we can achieve excellence and positively impact society.

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].