Job Title: Librarian I – Reference/Technical Services Divisions
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
Salary: $26.59 – $34.05 Hourly
Job Type: Regular FT
Location: Rochester Public Library, 101 2nd Street SE, Rochester MN 55904, Minnesota
The City of Rochester invites applications for the position of:
Librarian I
Reference/Technical Services Divisions
Rochester Public Library is seeking an energetic, enthusiastic and forward-looking librarian who has a passion for helping people and a strong belief that libraries can change lives. The successful candidate will possess exceptional customer service skills, knowledge of cataloging procedures, be tech savvy and have a keen interest in collaborating with colleagues.
RPL, a division of the City of Rochester, MN, is a very busy downtown library and bookmobile (approximately 600,000 visits per year, over 1.6 million items checked out). RPL serves the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, and visitors from all over the world. Rochester was chosen the #1 Best Place to Live for the second straight year in Livability’s annual rankings of cities
We strengthen community and enrich lives by sparking imagination, creativity, engagement, and learning.
Nature of Work
The Librarian I position involves professional library work utilizing complex computer programs and electronic resources. Duties of this position may include, but are not limited to, cataloging and classifying various library materials and collections; developing and maintaining divisional services and library collections; working at public desks assisting library patrons; organizing and facilitating library programs, classes and activities; building community partnerships; and overseeing and directing the work of paraprofessional, clerical or student employees, and volunteers. Depending upon assignment, responsibilities may include developing and maintaining website content.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This level differs from the Librarian II classification in that few administrative responsibilities are assigned and are limited to short-term projects or projects of narrower scope. A greater percentage of time is spent in direct public service and more routine professional tasks.
This position will be open until filled, with priority consideration for applications received by 9/14/2017
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.
Provide direct service to the public
• Provide reference and readers advisory services to the public in person and via telephone, e-mail, instant messaging and other means of communication.
• Assist patrons in locating information using a variety of reference and readers advisory tools, resources, and electronic databases.
• Provide support to patrons using library collections, equipment and services including digital collections.
• Conduct complex searches based on extensive knowledge of information sources and databases.
• Assist patrons with reserves and interlibrary loan requests.
• Create bibliographies, book or media lists (both print and electronic), and/or displays to promote the library’s collections and encourage their use.
• Develop and provide outreach services.
• Meet or exceed the library’s customer service standards in all interactions with the public and staff.
• Explain and interpret library policies and procedures to the public.
Maintain library collections and bibliographic control
• Select materials for specific collection areas assigned by the Division Head by applying the library collection development policy.
• Maintain specific collection areas as assigned by the Division Head by evaluating the condition and recommending mending, weeding or replacing items as necessary within the context of the overall collection development policy.
• Evaluate donations for addition to collection areas as assigned by the Division Head.
• Develop and coordinate kits, special collections and other items for circulation.
• Classify, index, and catalog materials for easy access by the public.
• Search appropriate databases for both bibliographic and authority records and download into local database as appropriate.
• Maintain quality control of new items being added to the collection and revise old information as necessary to maintain consistency.
Provide instruction to the public and staff
• Create and maintain information and training documents for the public & staff as assigned.
• Provide bibliographic instruction to staff and customers to enable them to better understand and use specific library resources.
• Develop and teach classes.
• Provide one-on-one instruction both formally & informally.
Programming
• Plan, budget, promote, execute and evaluate programs that are consistent with the library and division’s overall programming and outreach goals.
• Develop and nurture community partnerships to further the library’s programming and outreach goals.
• Hire performers and manage contracts for library programs.
• Input public programs in the library’s online programming tool and work with the library’s graphic designer to help publicize the programming efforts of the division.
• Create publicity materials such as flyers and brochures.
• Lead other staff assisting in programming.
• Present tours to classes and other groups.
Develop and maintain website
• Plan and develop portions of the library’s website as assigned by the division head.
• Maintain website information for the division.
Miscellaneous
• Coordinate and participate on special project task forces and work groups as assigned.
• Be an active participant on the team to help further the goals of the library and promote library services.
• Act as the division head in his/her absence.
• Participate in the training and directing the work of student, clerical, volunteer or paraprofessional assistants.
• Apply for grants to supplement funding.
• Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
Master’s Degree in Library Science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college with relevant coursework and work experience with the general public.
Desirable Qualifications
Experience in: a public library; public speaking or performing arts; providing outreach services; integrated library systems software, library databases, ebook and other digital collections; developing community partnerships; the Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library® parent education initiative; developing and presenting programs to children; providing readers advisory service to children and teens; working with special and diverse populations; and electronic resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: the principles and practices of library science, including collection development, reference, readers advisory and information technology; reference, literature and readers advisory resources; the reference and readers advisory interview; current trends and issues in library services; available library technology including computer basics, ebook readers, library database and other digital collections and networks; graphic design programs such as Adobe Creative Suite 5; cataloging rules and rules interpretation; JavaScript, HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, FTP and other web-publishing tools; and computers and computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite, instant messaging, advanced Internet, and database searching.
Skill in: providing customer service to people of all ages including seniors, adults, teens and children; oral and written communication; and organization, multi-tasking, and time-management; .
Ability to: identify current and future community needs and apply them to collections, collection development, services and programs; work pleasantly and effectively with co-workers and diverse library patrons; develop search strategies and to locate resources for patrons; correctly and efficiently provide prompt, objective, confidential, and knowledgeable responses to requests for information or assistance; explain Library policies, procedures and options to patrons; instruct others in the use of library resources; speak and/or read a language other than English; and select the appropriate materials and determine the best call numbers and access points for materials to make information most searchable for patrons.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as:
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: repetitive movements of the hands, wrists, and fingers.
Frequent demands: fine dexterity; standing; sitting; lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 10 lbs of force; and handling of materials.
Occasional demands: walking; lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling between 10 to 50 lbs of force; climbing; balancing; stooping; kneeling; twisting; bending; and reaching.
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, and touch.
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: the majority of the workday is spent indoors.
Original posting / application information