Library Specialist
Town of West Hartford
Hartford, CT
Full-time
Education
Posted on January 27, 2019
Town of West Hartford Library Specialist
The Town of West Hartford seeks an energetic, customer service oriented individual to work in our busy public library.
Essential Job Functions
- Orients patrons to the library through the introduction of available services and by locating and recommending library materials.
- Instructs in the selection and use of appropriate tools and techniques for finding information, conducts searches for materials
- Assists patrons with topical research utilizing the tools available (including online catalog, databases, reference materials, etc.) Refers more in-depth questions to Librarians.
- Assists patrons with use of library resources and equipment
- Provides access to materials, services and programs to meet needs of diverse users (adult and children)
- Develops programming for library users (age-appropriate)
- Performs general circulation duties as needed.
- Reserves books and processes interlibrary loans.
- Does the work involved in ordering, checking, purchasing, classifying, cataloguing, preparing, binding, and shelving books and other library materials
- Provides original cataloging and assigns classification numbers to library materials; resolves conflicts in the card catalog and automated system.
- Promotes reading through the development and implementation of children’s’ and parents’ programs, including story hours, outreach with schools, community organizations and agencies.
- Maintains library collection through the routine inspection and discarding of dated and damaged materials.
- Recommends and orders library materials by reading reviews and/or previewing media.
- Independently researches and resolves problems.
- Collects, compiles and assembles statistics.
- Assists in the coordination of work schedules.
- Trains, assigns and monitors work progress of subordinate staff.
- Intervenes on behalf of subordinate clerical staff to resolve customer complaints.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to interact with the public and employees in a courteous and professional manner.
- Ability to deal with disruptive patrons and emergency situations
- Skill in resolving confidential/sensitive situations.
- Ability to prioritize and organize tasks; coordinate and plan assignments or projects.
- Knowledge of library mission, basic local library policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of departments and services of the library, also library personnel and hierarchy
- Knowledge of library’s circulation system and public access catalog
- Knowledge of library’s participation in consortiums, networks, or other resource-sharing organizations
- Ability to understand and demonstrate customer service philosophy
- Ability to identify business problems and implement approved methods and procedures.
- Ability to manage and supervise subordinate staff.
- Knowledge of appropriate methods and techniques for materials processing, storage and preservation
- Knowledge of interlibrary loan procedures and policies
- Knowledge of the ethics and values of the profession, including an understanding of the Library Bill of Rights, the ALA Code of Ethics, freedom of information, confidentiality of library records, and privacy issues
- Ability to introduce users to all library services and equipment, and provide advanced instruction if needed
- Knowledge of cataloging and classification.
- Knowledge of literature appropriate to a specific division: such as children, adult, media, reference, etc.
- Knowledge of reader’s advisory issues and resources
- Knowledge of new developments in library services and products through reading and networking
- Ability to handle multiple tasks at one time
- Knowledge of Adobe’s Creative Suite software and MS Office
- Knowledge of database operating systems and procedures
Minimum Qualifications
High School graduate plus minimum of four years of related experience (demonstrated practical knowledge of library functions, services, terminology, techniques, procedures, and standard tools); or an LTA certificate and/or four (4) years of college (undergraduate degree preferred in related discipline) with some library experience.
EOE/M-F West Hartford