Librarian

JOB TITLE: Librarian

DEPARTMENT: Duxbury Free Library

REPORTS TO: Library Division Heads

CONTRACT: Duxbury Free Library Employees, SEIU Local 888

GRADE: Grade 3

RATE RANGE: Pay range begins at $29.12 - $34.90 in seven (7) steps

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt, Full time, Benefit eligible

WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week, and includes two Saturday shifts per month and one evening shift per week. 

The Duxbury Free Library is looking for a dynamic and outgoing individual to join our team as a full-time Librarian with an emphasis on Community Engagement.

This Librarian will coordinate and lead library programs for all ages, with a special emphasis on developing and facilitating multiple book clubs. They will create programs and events that align with the Duxbury Free Library’s Strategic Plan, and may expand existing partnerships and form new relationships with other town and community organizations.

The Librarian in the position will be responsible for working on the Adult and Children’s Reference Desks; desk duties include answering reference questions, providing technology support to patrons, and doing Reader’s Advisory. This librarian will also have proficiency in the use of the library’s Digital Media Lab to assist patrons with this equipment.

A candidate for this position will have experience with collection development, cataloging, familiarity with vendors including, but not limited to, Ingram and Baker & Taylor, and considerable familiarity with current developments in the field of Library Science.

We will expect this Librarian to promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging that embraces the contributions of all library staff. The Duxbury Free Library values diversity in backgrounds and experiences, and the library’s leadership team is committed to fostering an empathetic and supportive work environment. The Library is deliberate and thoughtful about the team we are building, and we are seeking professionals who are not only strong in their own abilities and knowledge, but care deeply about supporting the growth of all library employees.

Please find the job description below:

Nature of Work:  The purpose of this position is to provide professional library functions through the performance of complex duties and tasks.  Performs professional level duties requiring a thorough knowledge of library procedures, library organization, and department operations.  Must exercise judgment and initiative to perform duties; must be able to work independently and as part of a team.  Represents the library to the community at large.

Supervision Received:  Works under the direct supervision of the library division head and under the general supervision of the library director.  The employee carries out the regular work in accordance with standard practices and previous training.  Work is generally reviewed only for technical accuracy, appropriateness of actions or decisions, and conformance with policy or other requirements.

Supervision Given:  Supervises support staff and library volunteers and acts as supervisor of a shift if no management staff is available.

Confidentiality:  Employee has access to confidential information of the department.  Confidentiality must be maintained with regard to this information in accordance with Departmental Policy and the Public Records Act.

Accountability:  Consequences or errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, monetary loss and delay or loss of library services.

Judgment:  The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations, or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices.  Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices, and precedents, which may be complex or conflicting, at times.  Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making.  Requires understanding, interpreting and applying of applicable State and/or local regulations.

Complexity:  The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field.  Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.

Nature and Purpose of Public Contact:  Employee interacts with co-workers, public, and external contacts such as vendors doing business with the department or community groups to explain or interpret department procedures or guidelines, to coordinate work, or to resolve problems.  Excellent customer service skills are required involving courtesy, tact, and diplomacy in resolving complaints or concerns with patrons of the library.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Education and Experience:  Graduate of a four year college with a Master’s degree in Library Science or an equivalent degree, with two (2) years related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge:  Knowledge of the principles and practices of library work including collection development, planning, coordination and budget; library specific computer applications; knowledge of literature and programming for patrons of all ages.

Abilities:  Ability to train and coordinate staff; express oneself clearly and prepare and deliver reports orally and in writing; ability to work effectively with staff and patrons in a fast-paced environment; ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with all patrons.

Skill:  Proficient computer skills, mathematical skills, recordkeeping and clerical skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

Occupational Risk:  Minimal occupational risks are associated with the position.  Any special safety precautions established by the department must be followed.

Physical Requirements:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Demands:  Work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort daily, such as bending, lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying the object(s) and stacking them or placing them on shelves.  Position routinely requires lifting of objects up to thirty (30) pounds.

Motor Skills:  Duties involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination.  Examples include the operation of a personal computer.

Visual Demands:  Visual demands require the employee to constantly read documents for general understanding and analytical purposes and with a need to distinguish colors.

Essential Functions:  The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.

• Uses both the staff and public online library systems to provide circulation, bibliographic, reference, and patron advisory services.
• Attends library and department meetings as required.
• Presents information appropriately and factually.
• Works under direct supervision of the appropriate division head to provide library services; duties are designated or approved by the department head.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

Children’s Department:

• Staffing the children’s services desk; providing on-site and remote reference and readers advisory services.
• Overseeing and training support staff and volunteers in the department.
• Communicating library policies and procedures to patrons.
• Understanding and using the appropriate components of the automated system.
• Understanding and using the public interface of the automated system.
• Participating in collection development.
• Assisting with the development of department policies and procedures; communicating them to staff and patrons.
• Responding to questions from the public; answering inquiries, service requests, and complaints from customers.
• Developing and providing children’s programs, displays.
• Participating in the provision of website content and maintenance.
  

Reference Department:

• Staffing the reference services desk; providing on-site and remote reference assistance.
• Overseeing and training support staff and volunteers in the department.
• Communicating library policies and procedures to patrons.
• Understanding and using the appropriate components of the automated system.
• Understanding and using the public interface of the automated system.
• Assisting with the development of department policies and procedures; communicating them to staff and patrons.
• Responding to questions from the public; answering inquiries, service requests, and complaints from customers.
• Participating in collection development.
• Overseeing and carrying out inter-library loan processes.
• Developing and providing programs, displays.
• Developing and providing Young Adult programs, services and collections.
• Participating in the provision of website content and maintenance.

Other Functions:

• Attends workshops or training related to job functions.
• Trains other staff members and volunteers.
• Interacts with the community and with other town departments.
• Participates in Old Colony Library Network committees and/or professional associations.
• May be assigned specific department responsibilities relative to individual interests/skills.
• Performs related duties or special projects as required or directed.