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Job Description
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of assigned supervisor, assist a certificated teacher librarian by performing a variety of technical library duties in the acquisition, circulation, maintenance and distribution of books, textbooks and instructional materials at assigned work site(s) ; assist students and staff in the selection, location and use of library materials and equipment.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Incumbents in the Library Media Technician classification carry out daily library functions such as circulation, distribution of textbooks and instructional materials under the direct supervision of a certificated teacher librarian.
Incumbents in the Library Media Specialist classification work independently and assume responsibility for the library collection, schedule and day-to-day operations of a school library.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
• Perform a variety of technical library duties in the acquisition, circulation, maintenance and distribution of library books, textbooks, periodicals and materials at assigned work site(s); process new library books and instructional materials; oversee the cataloguing of books and instructional materials
• Assist students and staff in the selection, location and use of library materials and equipment; respond to inquiries and provide information to students and staff; assist students in researching instructional materials for classroom use; develop book talks for individuals and groups of students
• Circulate library materials; check library materials in and out to students and staff using an assigned computerized system; shelve returned books and materials; clean, mend, cover and repair damaged books
• Process and distribute textbooks according to established guidelines; communicate with staff regarding textbook needs; maintain records of lost, damaged and overdue textbooks; maintain and organize textbook room shelves as assigned by the position; assist students and staff in locating, pulling and preparing textbooks according to teacher requests; maintain an accurate and current textbook database; participating in textbook "weeding" activities as directed
• Process and receive library materials, textbooks and equipment orders; prepare new and donated materials for introduction into the library materials collection; verify packing lists, stamp materials, affix bar codes, update and edit electronic records, and update spine labels; re-organize shelves to adapt to shifts in the collection and curricular needs; input related information into assigned computer system; conduct periodic inventory
• Promote the use of the library to staff and students; assist students and staff on using the online library catalogue and other computer software systems; monitor the use of the computer lab
• Maintain, develop and circulate the audio-visual collection as assigned by the position; communicate with staff regarding curricular needs and determine needs for the collection; create bibliographies and resource lists to support teachers in their classrooms as assigned
• Monitor and maintain acceptable student behavior in the library; assist in the maintenance of a clean and safe environment in the library
• Maintain a variety of records related to purchase orders, textbooks and assigned activities; establish and maintain filing systems
• Prepare displays and bulletin boards to support curriculum, multi-cultural themes, current events, and school and District-wide activities; prepare and rotate book displays
• Operate a variety of office and library equipment including a calculator, copier, typewriter, computer and assigned software; operate audio-visual equipment including a projector, projection screen, speakers and others as assigned; troubleshoot and arrange for repairs of equipment as needed
• Communicate with personnel and outside agencies to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns
• Gather library resources and prepare book lists in response to staff requests
• Attend meetings, workshops and conferences as assigned
• Maintain current knowledge of young adult literature from remedial to adult level in fiction and non-fiction areas
OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Functions, operations and maintenance of school libraries
Library practices, procedures, reference materials and terminology
Operation of a computer and data entry and retrieval techniques
Library cataloging and classification
Filing, indexing and inventory procedures
Record-keeping techniques
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
Oral and written communication skills
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
Modern office practices, procedures and equipment
ABILITY TO:
Perform a variety of technical library duties in the acquisition, circulation, maintenance and distribution of books, textbooks and instructional materials
Assist students and staff in the selection, location and use of library materials, textbooks and equipment
Learn curriculum, reading levels and appropriate reference materials
Monitor and maintain acceptable student behavior in the library
Process and shelve library materials
Inventory, order, receive and assist in the selection of library materials and equipment
Operation of a computer and assigned software
Maintain files and records
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Complete work with many interruptions
Understand and follow oral and written instructions
Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school supplemented by college level course work in library science and two years of experience in a library, computer lab, or other educational setting
ENVIRONMENT:
Library environment
Constant interruptions
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student behavior
Hearing and speaking to exchange information
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
Perform work which involves frequent lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling objects typically weighing 50 pounds and occasionally and with assistance up to 75 pounds
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to shelve and retrieve books
Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally to shelve and retrieve books
EXAMINATION INFORMATION:
The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed.
The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training & experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination thereof.
ONLY the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) test requires and is mandated to have a passing score of 70 on each of the three parts of the test.
All other tests will have a passing score set between 50 and 99 depending of a variety of factors affecting that specific recruitment.
All candidates must pass the first examination process to be invited to the next step/test in the process.
As the testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes; the weight of each those processes may be determined at any step in the processes.
Qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination(s)/test(s).
Candidates will be notified of the minimum pass points/test score for each examination and/or test in the examination process.
OTHER: Proof of identification for completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be submitted at the time of processing for employment.
SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown in the posting and increases are granted at intervals based on anniversary date.
Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy
The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to fostering a positive working environment for its employees. Accordingly, BUSD practices shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying of any employee based on an employee's actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testi?es or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy.
The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination regarding Board Policy 4030:
Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator
2020 Bonar Street, Room 116
Berkeley, CA 94702
Phone: 510-486-9338
Email: nondiscrimination@berkeley.net
Closing Date/Time: Fri, 13 Mar 2026 -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Berkeley Unified School District
Show moreAbout the District
Since the founding of the University of California, Berkeley in 1868 and the establishment of Berkeley’s first high school in 1879, Berkeley’s community has been proud to be a leader in public education. In 1968, the Berkeley Unified School District was the nation’s first school district to desegregate without a court order. What you should know about our District:
- Students are our priority.
- We take pride in our diversity.
- We hold high expectations for ourselves and our students.
- We treat each other with respect and act with integrity.
Berkeley Unified is responsible for educating more than 9,400 individual students in 11 public elementary schools, 3 middle schools, one comprehensive high school, and an alternative high school. In addition, the district has 3 preschool facilities and an Adult School serving several thousand students each year. With a tradition of excellence rooted in a vibrant community, Berkeley Unified alumni have become national and international leaders in business, civic society, politics, academia, sports and the arts. Students and staff in Berkeley Unified come from a wide variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, surrounded by one of the most intellectually and culturally rich regions in the United States.
The Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals of Berkeley Unified are encapsulated in the four E’s:
- Excellence
- Equity
- Engagement
- Enrichment
Excellence in Learning, in Teaching, and in Service to our Students and Families
Equity in Access, in Resource Allocation, and Educational Outcomes
Engagement with Parents, Guardians, Families, and Community
Enrichment in Curriculum with Music & the Arts, Libraries, Gardens & Nutrition, Science & Health, Physical Education & Sports
Parent and Community Involvement
The Vision for BUSD is one in which parents, family, and community are an integral part of each school. When parents and families get personally involved in education, their children do better in school and grow up to be more successful in life. This is why Berkeley has dedicated resources and specialized staff to support the home-school partnership and to give all parents/guardians access to understanding opportunities and services available for their children.Public Support
Over the past 25 years, the Berkeley Unified School District’s ability to provide well-rounded educational resources and opportunities to all students has been significantly boosted by the generous financial support of local taxes that augment the General Fund for specific purposes.Berkeley voters have overwhelmingly supported the Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP), a special local tax first adopted in 1986 and renewed consistently since then, most recently as Measure A in 2006. (1986 to present)
Berkeley voters are as committed to the safety and modernization of school and district facilities as to the students and educational programs they house, most recently evidenced in the renewal of a maintenance special tax and a new facilities bond in 2010.
- Facilities Bonds (1992, Measure BB of 2002, Measure I of 2010)
- Maintenance Parcel Tax (Measure H of 2010)
Very Low Class Size
Berkeley Public schools have among the lowest class sizes in the state. While many school districts have exceeded 20 students in kindergarten through third grade, thanks to the BSEP tax measure Berkeley has maintained 20:1 since 1984. Grades 4 and 5 classrooms have average student-teacher ratios of 26-1, again much lower than the state average.- All Berkeley elementary schools have fewer students than the state average of 525 students — in fact, the Berkeley average is 375.
- The average student-teacher ratio in academic classrooms in middle school is less than 28:1, and many math classes are 20:1.
- The average student-teacher ratio in academic classrooms in high schools is 28:1.
Because the Berkeley community recognizes that public education is the cornerstone of a productive, creative, and healthy society, all of our schools benefit from the generosity of monetary and in-kind donations. Visit our “Public Support” page to find out more about the generosity and commitment of our supporters and how the many different funding and volunteer organizations enhance each child’s education in the Berkeley Public Schools.
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