Library Associate, Part Time, (Adult Services), Grade 18
Montgomery CountyAbout the Position
Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position based off 20 hours per week will be $31,164 per year to $39,564 per year, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
This role is for 20 hours week.WHO WE ARE
MCPL has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1 million diverse customers.
Approximately 500 engaged and passionate staff provide services in 21 library locations and in community engagement using direct outreach and virtual assistance. MCPL is an open, inviting, and vital gateway to the information, ideas and enrichment that strengthens our county. A diverse, highly qualified staff continually assesses community needs and interests to support, encourage and inspire our customers.
MCPL believes in the right of all to learn and to grow. We value intellectual freedom, accountability, quality service, diversity, fairness, professional ethics, integrity of information and respect for our customers, our community, and ourselves. We are a learning organization that functions openly by exploring new ideas and using the collective talent, knowledge, and creativity of employees at all levels.
The Montgomery County Library System is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. MCPL values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. MCPL encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. As part of this commitment, MCPL provides reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is seeking a part-time, 20 hour per week, Library Associate to join our team. You will provide a full range of library services and programming for incarcerated individuals in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF).
MCPL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. MCPL values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. MCPL encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. As part of this commitment, MCPL provides reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process or to perform the essential functions of this position.
MCCF Library offers a full range of services to incarcerated individuals, including legal reference materials, educational support, self-help, and general popular interest reading materials to improve and enrich their lives and enable their successful re-entry into the community.
The ideal candidate for this position will have a passion for serving incarcerated individuals, excellent customer service and communication skills, and a strong work ethic. The ability to work collaboratively with a team and independently is also essential.
Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Additional multi lingual pay may be available after successfully passing a multilingual examination.
What You'll Be Doing
Your primary duties will include:
Answering general reference questions and helping incarcerated individuals locate materials in tandem with Library Associate position training.
Assisting with creating and maintaining incarcerated individual library accounts
Assisting with library programs as they may evolve with changing MCCF branch expectations
Assist with library circulation and shelving
Assist in weeding and merchandising materials in the branch collection.
The MCCF Library is unique to the MCPL system. To receive Library Associate training that is reflective of a broader public library experience, training may take place at a community branch library as well as the MCCF branch.
Successful Candidates will:
Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in public service.
Demonstrate a passion for serving incarcerated individuals, excellent customer service and communication skills, and a strong work ethic.
Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with a team and independently is also essential.
Employees in this position must complete LATI, the state’s Library Associates Training Institute, as scheduled, or complete at least 6 hours of coursework in an MLS program accredited by the American Library Association.
Hours for this position: All employees should expect to work daytime, evening, and weekend hours; however, the MCCF Library is currently open on weekdays. The MCCF Library schedule could change at any time to include evening or weekend hours with sufficient notice.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Experience: None
Licensure: None
Equivalency: NoneNote: An appointee with only a bachelor’s degree shall have two (2) years from date of appointment to complete a minimum of ninety (90) hours of in-service training by attending the Maryland State Library Associate Training Program under Departmental sponsorship; or, complete nine (9) hours of formal course work in library science for compliance with the Maryland State Board of Education?Bylaw for Public Library Associates.
Physical Ability: Ability to work effectively and calmly under pressure.
Continuing Education: Employees will be responsible for maintaining appropriate level of Continuing Education to meet State requirements.
MEDICAL EXAM PROTOCOL: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form as well to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role. You will also need to complete and pass a Drug Screen.
BACKGROUND CHECK PROTOCOL: This position requires completion and passing of a Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) Background check.Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
We will use preferred criteria screening questions:
Proven experience leading a diverse teams. Emphasis on developing and motivating staff by creating a culture of open communication, coaching and/or supervising personnel, including providing input to or creating performance evaluations and staff schedules.
Experience leading meetings, creating agendas, and/or developing training materials.
Providing customer service and resolving complex customer service issues in a library setting; being person in charge in absence of a manager or supervisor
Technology skills to include knowledge of Integrated Library System (ILS), office equipment, mobile apps, MS Office software and troubleshooting computer hardware and peripherals.
We will use interview preference criteria:
Resume must include information specific to the preferred criteria listed below. Make sure that your resume references your knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the preferred criteria.
Direct service to customers.
Experience working directly with incarcerated service populations.?
Knowledge of library management systems.
Experience with library programming.
Formal or informal technological literacy instruction of software, apps, tablets, or e-readers.?
Spanish language proficiency
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.