Librarian I

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Do you love helping people find their next favorite read and navigate real-life questions—everything from resume help to research rabbit holes? Are you passionate about lifelong learning, curious minds, and community engagement that goes beyond the stacks?

If so, the City of Albany is looking for a Librarian I with an Adult Services focus who’s ready to bring energy, creativity, and excellent customer service to our library team.

You’ll be planning and hosting programs that connect with adults of all ages, curating collections that reflect and inspire our diverse community including the City's Library of Things and being that go-to resource for information, technology help, and good conversation.

You'll collaborate with a dedicated team, serve as a friendly face at our service desks, and help shape the library as a vibrant community hub for adults seeking enrichment, resources, and connection.

So, if your idea of a great day includes thoughtful reader’s advisory, making spreadsheets sing, and helping patrons feel seen, supported, and empowered—let’s talk.

Your next story starts here.

• Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with low monthly out-of-pocket cost. As of July 1, the employee-paid premium is approximately $56 per month for employee-only coverage and up to a max of $162 per month for family coverage.  
• City-paid contribution to a VEBA Trust account for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Currently, the annual contribution is $1,000 for employee-only and $2,000 for employee plus dependent(s).
• Paid time off including:
  • 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with progressive increases
  • 8 hours of sick leave per month
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • 24 hours of floating holiday per year
  • No after-hire waiting period to use vacation or sick leave
  • Fronted sick and vacation leave may be considered upon hire

• Excellent retirement benefits including: 
  • City-paid participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (OPSRP and City pays 6% IAP contribution) 
  • City-paid 0.5% contribution into pre-tax deferred compensation plan 
• In addition, other benefits such as job-related college tuition and book reimbursement, employee assistance program, basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.

 To learn more about our organization, our community, and our benefits, click here.

Performs a variety of routine and complex clerical and professional work in the operation of the library system, including the leadership of a section, branch, or work group of the library; and performs related work as required.

• Performs all essential job tasks and responsibilities for adult services, including materials selection, programing and customer service. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Adult Services Supervising Librarian and adult services team to cover all departmental needs. 

1. Oversees assigned functional area of library, providing direction and leadership within specified area.
2. Staffs public service desk and provides readers advisory, reference services, and technology and directional help in person and via phone, email, or other mode of communication.
3. Enforces code of conduct and library policies.
4. Reads, reviews, evaluates, and selects books and electronic databases for purchase and inclusion in collection. Maintains budget for area. Reviews materials in area for removal from collection.
5. Drafts, edits, designs, and prepares materials to share with the community; and makes library resources and activities more accessible. May include the following: news releases; newsletters; signs; flyers for the public; grant request/applications; webpage design; and social media.
6. May train and mentor library support staff or volunteers.
7. Plans and executes library programs, in person or virtually; and is responsible for program scheduling, budgeting, and promotion.
8. Promotes interest in library programs and services through publicity, program brochures, cooperation with various community groups, and public contacts; speaks before citizens groups, students, and other business and civic organizations.
9. Establishes and maintains community partnerships in support of library services.
10. Participates in outreach by promoting and providing library services in the community.
11. Responds to patron service requests; may address public and civic organizations to inform the public of library policies, procedures, and the availability of facilities for public use.
12. Maintain professional networks and attend training sessions and conferences as necessary to advance skills and keep abreast of issues and practices in all areas of responsibility.
13. Represents the City of Albany by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor. Regards everyone, internal and external, as a customer and delivers the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner.
14. Works to create a high-performance work culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City’s mission, vision, and values. Conducts self with high integrity, proactive in conserving City resources, and seeks and incorporates customer feedback for ongoing performance improvement. Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
15. Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions.   Works to build confidence in the City through own actions.
16. Effectively promotes and contributes to a safe work environment. Complies with all safety rules and performs work in a safe manner.  
17. Serves as a member of various City committees as assigned. Represents the department at meetings internally and externally as assigned.
18. Assists other staff in the performance of their duties as assigned.
19. Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance.
20. Adheres to appropriate attire, grooming, and hygiene standards established for the position.
21. Operates a motor vehicle safely and legally.
22. Performs other duties as assigned.

Works under the supervision of the Adult Services Supervising Librarian, who establishes work expectations, program goals, and standards through direct communication and reviews activities through discussions with and observation of duties to evaluate performance.

This is a non-supervisory position. Lead work/coordination of work of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. Incumbents in this position will provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree and at least five years of library experience; 

or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

A master’s degree in library science or related field preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license and a driving record that meets the City’s driving standards.
• The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge of: principles, practices, and service delivery needs related to library services; literature, information sources, and tools in the library field; professional library work, including methods, practices, and techniques of library reference, technical services, and/or youth library services; techniques, and procedures in cataloging, indexing, classifying, bibliographic research, and organizing library materials; outreach, programs, marketing, fund-raising, grant writing; and automated library systems.

Skill in: the use of computers, various related software programs including word processing, spreadsheet, email, web browsers, and presentation applications; basic computer peripherals (including document printers, receipt printers, and barcode scanners) in performance of technical library tasks; active listening skills and interpersonal skills; and operation of tools and equipment listed.

Ability to:  coordinate, direct, and implement library services programs suited to meet the needs of the community; direct clerical/administrative operations and plan and direct work of others; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; use tact and courtesy in interactions with a diverse group of patrons and staff (including children, caregivers, and educators); communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; understand and carry out written and oral instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public.  

In the performance of the job duties, the employee will be working in a quiet office environment at the libraries or in a public space, generally at a service desk. Work may also be performed in meeting settings in offices, conference rooms, and other public spaces. The noise level in the work area is generally quiet, though there are telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises. Some work, such as outreach, may be performed offsite. 

Occasional travel includes local and regional meetings, and visits to various library and community sites. This position may regularly be required to work evenings and weekends.

The factors described herein are representative of, but not all-inclusive of, those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Detailed information may be available in a supplemental Job Task Analysis document.

The physical demands of this position typically include: prolonged sitting at a desk, frequent use of a computer keyboard and mouse, frequent standing and walking to retrieve documents or speak with customers or colleagues, lifting and carrying objects like books, files or paperwork, lifting items from floor to overhead, shelving books, pushing book carts, and the ability to reach and manipulate objects at various levels while seated; this role generally requires minimal physical exertion beyond basic office tasks. 

In the performance of job duties, the employee will use a computer and various software programs; operates a motor vehicle for meetings and site visits; copier/scanner; phone; laptop and/or tablet; and other related tools and equipment.

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The City of Albany is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for City positions. Please notify the Human Resources Department if you need any reasonable accommodation or assistance with any part of our application and screening process. Hearing impaired individuals needing assistance can call the Oregon Relay Service at 800-735-2900 and provide them this phone number: 541-917-7509. All other applications are only accepted online through our vendor, NEOGOV.