JOB TITLE: CORRECTIONS LIBRARY ASSISTANT

JOB CODE: 25350

DEFINITION: This is para-professional work monitoring the daily operations of a library in a state correctional facility.

An employee in this job is responsible for providing general and law library services at a state correctional facility. Work involves monitoring and providing guidance to inmate workers and patrons to ensure they are adhering to agency, facility, and library policies and assisting them in locating, acquiring, and using library resources such as recreational, legal, and reentry materials. This work includes book circulation, catalog classification, interlibrary loan, maintenance, and inventory of library materials. An employee in this job assumes responsibility for the therapeutic care, custody, and control of assigned inmate workers and patrons. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general supervision of a Corrections Librarian. Work is reviewed through observation, conferences, and reports for adherence to departmental policies and library standards.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Oversees and provides guidance to Inmate Legal Reference Aides, who assist the inmate population with law library services, which includes accessing legal statutes and cases, identifying and locating legal forms used for approaching the courts, and providing the procedures and addresses for filing forms with the appropriate courts.

• Monitors legal law library to ensure inmate patrons are performing appropriate legal work and working within agency, facility, and library policies.

• Arranges for the acquisition of materials not available in the library by locating a source and arranging for interlibrary loan or photocopy and mailing of materials.

• Recommends the purchase of new books and periodicals to meet the needs and interests of inmate patrons.

• Prepares and maintains bibliographies and reading lists.

• Assists a Corrections Librarian with the interviewing, hiring, training, dismissing, and evaluating the performance of inmate workers.

• Assists a Corrections Librarian with the development of procedures for the operation of the library program at a state correctional facility.

• Assists a Corrections Librarian with special reading programs and exhibits.

• Instructs inmate workers and patrons on the use of library computers.

• Processes library request slips, schedules inmates, and generates library call outs for library usage.

• Verifies inmate identification prior to inmates utilizing the library.

• Visits various inmate housing units to deliver and inventory library materials.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Knowledge of standard vocabulary and usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

• Ability to sort and file information.

• Ability to follow oral instructions.

• Ability to read and understand written materials.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Two years of clerical experience;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.