Job announcement: Columbus Metropolitan Library – FT Librarian – Adult Services – South High Branch
Location: Columbus, OH
Responsible for providing specialized training and programming functions, collection analysis, Readers’ Advisory and in-depth reference services. Provides training and guidance to other Public Services staff including the use of electronic resources and reference tools.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Proactively provides a high level of customer service and assists customers through various aspects of utilizing the Library, including expert level reference service in person, over the phone, by email, instant messaging, etc.
2. Interviews, researches and answers customer questions, by locating appropriate sources of information requiring a knowledge of the content of the collection(s), an ability to generalize and interpret subject content and a thorough understanding of the scope, authority, arrangement and format of various reference tools (digital and print), cataloging rules and systems of bibliographic notation and format. Demonstrates thorough reference expertise.
3. Answers the most challenging questions referred by other reference staff.
4. Initiates the development, implementation and promotion of adult, teen, and children’s programs to increase awareness of Library resources.
5. Provides readers’ advisory to customers (in person and virtually) using appropriate sources of information including knowledge of the collection, the publishing industry and electronic resources.
6. Establishes criteria for the collection and leads collection management activities based on knowledge of the community needs, usage levels, and relevance of materials. Provides feedback to central selectors based on analysis of the collection and its usage by the community.
7. Promotes behaviors and activities supporting early literacy skills and the advancement of reading.
8. Creates displays and merchandises materials.
9. Ensures that the location is neat, orderly, appealing and inviting to customers and staff.
10. Supervises staff, volunteers, volunteens and/or practicum students/interns. Sets individual performance measurements for staff and holds them accountable as assigned. Responsibilities include coaching, managing, hiring, orienting and evaluating assigned staff.
11. Keeps abreast of developments within the profession, provides ongoing training on current trends, best practices and new technologies. Maintains personal skills to assure quality of service in areas of Library collections, technology, reference, and readers’ advisory.
12. Constructs and applies a detailed approach to training for customers and staff on the use of Library resources, educates staff, and models the use of such resources. Training may be one-on-one or in a classroom setting.
13. Assists with community analysis and develops plans to effectively meet community needs. Promotes Library through community outreach.
14. Participates and presents at local, state and national conferences.
15. Assumes responsibility for the operation of the location in the absence of a manager.
16. Maintains local databases, websites, etc. May assist Information Technology staff in the design, development, and testing of products for the website.
17. Interprets Library policies and procedures for the public.
18. Utilizes computer applications and Library equipment, maintains current knowledge of system wide and location specific procedures, processes, policies and operations. Utilizes email, voicemail and other Library technology to maintain open channels of communication.
19. Performs additional duties as assigned including being a project lead and/or serving on task forces, committees, etc.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Masters of Library Science Degree from ALA accredited institution of higher learning.
2. Ability to use appropriate judgment in handling information and records.
3. Ability to work independently with limited direction.
4. Must be able to perform duties at remote locations, provide personal transport as needed.
5. Acts with the customer in mind using information gained from interacting with the customers. Meets the expectations and requirements of external and internal customers.
6. Ability to effectively present in a variety of formal settings - one on one, group, peers, direct reports, etc. Command attention and manage group process.
HIGHLY PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:
1. Public service experience in children’s, teen and/or adult services.
2. Adept at process management; knows how to organize people and activities. Can simplify complex processes, see opportunities for synergy and integration and apply appropriately to get more out of fewer resources.
3. Knows how businesses work, especially libraries. Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information in the library industry and field of library and information science.
4. Provides individuals information so that they can make accurate decisions; is timely with information.
5. Quickly grasps how things are structured, experiments to find new solutions, is a relentless and versatile learner, and analyzes success and failures to find improvements.
For more information & to apply: http://www.columbuslibrary.org/careers
Keisha Gibbs │ Manager
Columbus Metropolitan Library │ Martin Luther King Branch
1600 E. Long Street │ Columbus, OH 43215
614.479.3213 office │614.479.4213 fax
kgibbs@columbuslibrary.org