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On-Call Temporary Librarian I-II

City of Santa Cruz
Full-time
On-site
California, United States
$71,076 - $96,096 USD yearly


The Position


NOTE: As of 10/10/24 the deadline to apply for this position has been updated to close at 5 pm on 11/07/24.    


On-call librarians cover shifts on the adult services and youth services librarian desks at the Downtown branch when staff are absent. Typical desk shifts are 4 hours. The Downtown library is currently open 7 days a week: Mon-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm. On-call work does not have a set schedule or a guaranteed number of hours. Shifts may come open anywhere from several months in advance to same-day shifts. On-call librarians may, at times, temporarily fill in for other librarian responsibilities such as leading programs. Those responsibilities could take place at any library branch or at outreach events.


Temporary positions are non-benefited. Be advised these temporary positions are of limited duration and are not linked to regular positions of the same name. Temporary positions are limited to a total of 999 hours in a fiscal year. 
 

Under general direction the Librarian I/II applies the core competencies of a professional librarian and their knowledge gained from practice and continuing education to deliver customer-driven public library services.  The librarian provides a high level of expertise in designing, delivering, evaluating, and continuously improving collections, programs and services, and library operations within prescribed funding limits.  Librarians work both independently and in teams with other professionals and support staff to achieve best practices in a continuously changing technological environment.    Librarians are expected to be active in professional library associations, continuing education, and activities that develop their professional competency and enable their currency in a constantly changing social, cultural, and technological environment.


The Santa Cruz Public Library System consists of 10 library branches and a Bookmobile. For more information on the Library including branch locations and hours, please go to www.santacruzpl.org  

Recruitment #25-023

Selection Timeline: (The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)

  • On Thursday, 11/07/24 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. 
  • To apply, submit:
  1. Application - online application only.  Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely.  Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: Applications will be initially screened based on the minimum qualifications for the Librarian I/II classification. Library staff will review qualified applications when a vacancy occurs.  If your application is selected, the Library will contact you directly to schedule an interview.   


Typical Duties


(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

Any combination of the following duties dependent upon Library System needs or individual position requirements:

  • Designs, develops, and delivers library programs and services directly and through staff and volunteers.
  • Performs direct service to the public in efficiently and accurately locating information and/or guiding the searcher in person, on the telephone, and online, effectively using the full range of search and technology options available through the library system.  
  • Provides expert advice to readers in identifying titles, authors, genre, and subject matter of interest specifically to the searcher or client group.
  • Strategically creates content for the library’s virtual services component, for programs, and for services, including for age-specific audiences such as children, families, adults, seniors, and teens.
  • Provides subject expertise to collaboratively develop collections and content for the library’s virtual and physical collections.
  • Conducts original cataloging of books, government documents, media, serials, and other material; identifies and corrects problems related to obsolete, conflicting, or incorrect cataloging; interprets cataloging and classification rules and practices for other staff.
  • Speaks to school and community groups regarding library services and resources.
  • Designs and delivers educational programming for various age-groups related to reading, literacy, and digital fluency, for example, customized for the needs of various audiences. Programming is online or face-to-face and may take a variety of forms including book talks, lectures, story hours, workshops, one-on-one consultation, group instruction, performances, and presentations.
  • Designs and supervises the installation of displays and exhibits.
  • Assists in developing, modifying and evaluating library practices and procedures.
  • Interacts with the public, informs patrons of Library System policies and procedures, and provides constructive feedback to library management concerning same.
  • Represents the Library in cooperative relations with other agencies.
  • Prepares reports, presentations, and correspondence on behalf of the library.
  • Participates in professional activities to be current with trends, best practices, and innovations in library practice and technology.
  • Supervises, trains, and evaluates subordinate personnel; may arrange employee work schedules.
  • Keeps informed of professional developments; attends professional meetings and training.
  • Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
     
WORKING CONDITIONS
The position requires frequent sitting, walking and grasping in the performance of daily activities. Occasional reaching, repetitive use of hands, working overhead and stooping is required. The position requires near and far vision and normal hearing in the performance of daily activities. The need to lift up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis is required.
 
Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.


Minimum Qualifications


The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

 

Education and Experience:

 

Librarian I

  • A Master of Library Science degree or a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies or Librarianship from a program accredited by the American Library Association.

 

(Note: For the Librarian I, if an applicant possesses all of the minimum qualifications except one of the accepted Master's degrees, the hiring department will agree to allow the candidate up to six (6) months while in the probationary period to obtain and present the degree as a condition of employment.

 

Librarian II

  • A Master of Library Science degree or a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies or Librarianship from a program accredited by the American Library Association and,
  • One year of experience in a professional level library position including some supervisory experience.    

 

Knowledge: 

 

Librarian I 

  • Mastery of core competencies of the ALA-accredited graduate school.
  • Principles and Practices of Supervision 

 

Librarian II 

In addition to the above minimum qualifications for Librarian I, the following qualifications are also required for the Librarian II:

 

  • Demonstrated knowledge and successful practical experience in applying the core competencies of a professional librarian AND/OR 
  • Competency in one or more library disciplines, such as in reader’s advisory, information search and discovery, early literacy and language development, digital literacy, services and programs for children, youth, teens, adults, or seniors, multicultural expertise, and collection and content development.
  • Principles and techniques necessary to identify and analyze emerging technologies and innovations in order to recognize and implement relevant technological improvements
  • Principles involved in the organization and representation of recorded knowledge and information.
  • Developmental, descriptive, and evaluative skills in order to organize recorded knowledge and information resources.
  • Systems of cataloging, metadata, indexing, and classification standards and methods used to organize recorded knowledge and information.
  • Automated cataloging and other automated technical services functions.
  • Typical materials acquisition systems.
  • Contemporary cataloging and classification systems.

 

Abilities:

Librarian I

  • Communicate a warm and welcoming public attitude and spirit of service.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, volunteers, and the general public.
  • Understand and apply library policies and procedures.
  • Give clear information to the public and to support staff.
  • Interpret library policies and procedures to both public and support staff.
  • Communicate effectively, clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing
  • Participate in the selection, supervision, training, and evaluation of staff and oversee and coordinate the work of others.
  • Operate office equipment, including computer equipment related to library automation.
  • Use good judgment in handling difficult situations
  • Work Library System’s schedule of hours.
  • Transport self throughout Library System.
  • Actively participate in a professional association, continuing education, and professional development through reading and activities that enable the librarian’s professional development.

 

Librarian II

In addition to the above minimum qualifications for Librarian I, the following qualifications are also required for the Librarian II:

 

  • Articulate and apply the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom.
  • Apply information, communication, assistive, and related technologies to serve the public consistent with professional ethics and prevailing service norms.
  • Assess and evaluate the specifications, efficacy, and cost efficacy of technology-based products and services.
  • Efficiently apply the fundamental principles of planning, evaluation, and promotion to project management.
  • Efficiently query and evaluate information retrieval systems.
  • Efficiently conduct an information search and guide the searcher in an efficient and accurate search process.
  • Effectively use the basic concepts and principles related to the creation, evaluation, selection, acquisition, preservation and organization of specific items or collections of information.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies as they affect the resources and uses of libraries.
  • Use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users.
  • Design public training programs based on appropriate learning principles and theories.
  • Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations.
  • Actively participate in a professional association, continuing education, and professional development through reading and activities that enable the librarian’s professional development amidst a constantly changing social, cultural, and technological environment.
  • Evaluate programs and services on specified criteria.

 

Licenses and Certificates

  • Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable alternate transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

  • Fluency in Spanish, an Asian language, or sign language.


Career Ladder


  • Director of Libraries
  • Assistant Director of Libraries
  • Library Division Manager
  • Librarian III
  • Librarian II 
  • Librarian I
  • Library Specialist
  • Library Assistant IV
  • Library Assistant III/Library Information Specialist
  • Library Assistant II/Bookmobile Library Assistant
  • Library Assistant I