JOB SUMMARY

Ottawa Public Library (OPL) provides accessible, innovative library and information services throughout the City of Ottawa, that meet the unique needs of diverse communities, delivered through a range of vehicles and reflecting a citizen-centred approach. The Public Service units are responsible for the customer-centric public library activities, programs and services offered by the Library's 33 branches, mobile and digital services, to meet the needs in their catchment area.

Come join the team that will work at our new Central Branch at Ādisōke! Set to open in 2026, this modern, sustainable facility with its iconic architecture will be a must-visit destination in the OPL network. A place where the youngest members of our community will come together to learn, create, and connect, the Children’s Programs and Public Service Assistant works with children and young people to deliver high-quality client service, programming, and outreach that inspires learning, sparks curiosity, and connects people.

You provide information, reference and readers advisory services; develop, implement and conduct children’s programs; provide circulation and page services in the Library and/or the community and/or mini-libraries, nursing homes and other locations; and perform routine collection maintenance duties.

You may be the senior person in charge or exercise responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the library branch.

Work is performed within the context of the policies and framework of the Library corporate culture as embodied in the Mission Statement, Core Values, Customer Experience Guidelines and the Canadian Federation of Library Association position statements on Intellectual Freedom and Diversity and Inclusion, with particular emphasis on providing customer service excellence.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 2-year college diploma in Library and Information Technician, Early Childhood Education, or related field.

Minimum of 1 year of related experience working with children’s programs.

KNOWLEDGE

• Adult/children’s literature in a variety of formats, readers’ advisory services, trends in reading, literacy and ESL collections and adult programming.
• Trends and techniques for developing effective library programming for children.
• Reference resources in print, microform and electronic formats and of current developments in reference services.
• Electronic database and other bibliographic searching techniques.
• Principles of collection development and maintenance.
• Methods and techniques for sorting and shelving library materials according to alphabetical, Dewey Decimal or other prescribed sequence and procedures.
• Library circulation procedures and practices.
• Methods and techniques of responding to inquiries and resolving patron complaints.
• Desktop applications, intranet and internet and keyboarding procedures, to the extent where it may be required to demonstrate such usage to colleagues or library patrons.
• General knowledge of library policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques and protocols
• Working knowledge of applicable occupational health and safety legislation.
• General knowledge of Ottawa Public Library’s policies and procedures related to health and safety.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• To deliver library programs to a range of users including pre-schoolers, school age and adults.
• Use tact, discretion and confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Exercise effective judgement and independent decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to design and create thematic displays.
• Data entry, retrieval and keyboarding skills including use of standard office equipment and operation of an IBM compatible computer in Microsoft Windows.
• To perform routine manual or clerical tasks and manoeuvre book carts and lift boxes up to 40 pounds.
• Minimum keyboard skills of 25 wpm.
• Perform multiple tasks concurrently.
• Customer service orientation, including the use of tact, discretion and confidentiality
• Attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to deal with the public and handle problems as they arise.
• Flexibility, ability to adjust priorities.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Strongly committed to quality customer service.