Library Welcome Desk Attendant (Portal Monitor) in University Libraries, Stanford, California, United States en Stanford University

This position is represented by SEIU Local 2007 and the collective bargaining agreement between the university and SEIU Local 2007 governs the terms and conditions of employment.

Documents required: cover letter, and résumé or CV.

Stanford Libraries is seeking a part-time Library Welcome Desk Attendant (Portal Monitor) to join Access Services Team at the Cecil H. Green Library, Stanford’s largest library. 

The Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant.  We are seeking a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

About Stanford Libraries: 

Stanford Libraries is a network of over 15 libraries with over 400 employees. We are committed to fueling the teaching, learning and research across Stanford by acquiring, stewarding, and making available a robust collection, currently in excess of 12 million items. Everyone in the organization plays a vital role in fulfilling that objective. Our dedication to discoverability and information management also has us engaged in dynamic global partnerships. We are constantly building and strengthening our organization, and we recognize striving for excellence is a marathon and not a sprint. We are constantly trying to strike the right pace, and admit there are times when we find ourselves at a fast jog. While we hope to always find candidates who fit within our organization, what we truly seek is someone who will add to our culture, our profession as well as the greater academic arena. We are invested in the success of our teams and the individuals who represent Stanford Libraries.

About the Position: 

The Library Welcome Desk Attendant (Portal Monitor) is a member of the Access Services Department which includes the circulation, privileges, stacks, media, course reserves and interlibrary services teams. Our activities are centered around building/inventory access and core library services. We value high-quality, just-in-time customer service to meet the academic and research needs of students, faculty, staff, affiliated scholars, and visitors of Stanford University.

We seek a dependable, focused, and communicative individual to fill this highly visible role at our main entry desk. Using excellent communication skills, the staff member will assist users and ensure our entry and exit protocols are consistently applied. The library staff will communicate library policies, answer questions, and verify that library visitors have registered before entering the building. This will include assisting guests with registering on the library’s onsite registration system. Staff will also check the bags of patrons who are exiting to ensure library materials are properly checked out. Workflow at the entry desks varies depending on the time of the day and the academic calendar. Periods of high traffic may require the staff member to prioritize tasks or ask for additional help. Event management is an important aspect of the role, and ensuring guests are properly checked-in is vital. Undivided attention with who is entering and leaving the building is key to the role's success. Staff will also be expected to notify the supervisor on-duty or public safety of any security concerns. This includes reporting emergencies and incidents following specific department guidelines.

Work Schedule:

Academic year schedule :

Wednesday 7:00 PM-12:45 AM (30 min lunch), Thursday 7:00 PM-12:45 AM (30 min lunch), Saturday 2:00 PM-6:45 PM (no lunch), Sunday 12:00 PM-5:00 PM (no lunch).

A total of 20.25 hours per week.

This job posting is not eligible for remote work or a hybrid schedule.

Note on Academic Year hours:

Summer/Intersession and Winter schedules may alter the position’s standard work schedule.

Hours and schedule vary according to Stanford’s Academic Calendar and Green Library’s operational business needs.

A shortened unpaid lunch period is optional at employee request.

Job Responsibilities

Employees at this level do not have supervisory authority over other employees and are not expected to exercise independent judgment on final decisions regarding quality or quantity of work produced by such employees, or personnel actions such as hiring, promotion, discharge or disciplinary measures. 

Employees in this classification monitor the flow of patrons utilizing the library: ensure patron compliance with basic building policies; ensure library materials have been properly charged out; refer patrons to appropriate library contacts or campus locations; support library and campus security. Employees work under the guidance of their supervisor or the shift supervisor, who gives general instructions for work and provides guidance in solving problems.

Core Duties:

Library Welcome Desk Attendant (Portal Monitor) may include job duties such as:

●       Monitor entrance and exit to the library which includes constant interaction with the public.

●       Assist guests with visitor registration software and check government issued identification upon patron entrance.

●       Monitor card entry failure at library entrance and report failures to library staff and/or supervisor on duty.

●       Visually inspect incoming visitor’s personal belongings to prevent banned materials entering the library.

●       Assist with library events, by ensuring registered guests are checked in, and providing general instructions to attendees.

●       Regularly perform baggage checks on all patrons exiting the building and visually inspect for any checked-out library materials. Refer patrons to the circulation desk as needed.

●       Report any suspicious activity, building access violations, property loss and/or any emergency. This may require calling emergency services or campus security, including writing incident reports.

●       Provide general directional assistance relating to the library and Stanford campus.

●       Stay updated on policies and procedures by reviewing documentation, attending meetings, and reading email notifications, guides, and blogs.

●       Record entrance statistics and gate counts on a daily basis.

●       May help with building opening and closing procedures.

●       Keep workspace clean, presentable, safe from obstructions and tidy.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.