Outreach Services Librarian

ABOUT US

At Sonoma County Library, we bring information, ideas, and people together to build a stronger community. We are a hub where learning, the arts, technology and people intersect and thrive!

We are known nationally for our innovation, and locally for our engaged, creative, and empowered staff. We rely on community input to guide our decisions, and we proudly champion diversity and racial equity in all aspects of our organization. Libraries are for everyone.

This is a tremendous opportunity to be part of a mission-driven public agency, and help transform the literacy and education landscape for all Sonoma County residents. If you would join our team of dedicated professionals, we invite you to apply.

Sonoma County Library

Announces an Employment Opportunity

OUTREACH LIBRARIAN I/II – HEADQUARTERS

40 HOURS PER WEEK – FULL TIME

This position is responsible for the operations of Sonoma County Library’s mobile outreach service, the BiblioBus. Whether on the move or at a community event, our BiblioBus offers books for all ages to browse, the use of laptop computers and entertainment devices, and specialized library programing such as story times, STEAM activities, one-on-one tech help, and skill-building workshops. Conversational Spanish bilingual skills are strongly desired. 

THE POSITION: 

Please see the attached job specifications for full details about this position.

This position will have functional responsibility for the operations of the mobile outreach vehicles, including opening and closing procedures and statistical reporting; assumes responsibility for all circulation and materials maintenance activities in the BiblioBus collection. Provides technical and functional direction and training to support staff.

TYPICAL TASKS include, but are not limited to: 

• Drives bookmobile or library van to predetermined locations to provide services to remote patrons throughout the County
• Assists in analyzing the need for additions, deletions and changes to scheduled vehicle stops
• Maintains vehicle in a clean and orderly condition
• Inspects vehicle and works with their supervisor and Corporate Yard to ensure the vehicle is in good working order
• Designs, implements, and evaluates outreach programs and events to meet the needs of diverse communities
• Collaborates with branch staff to build relationships in local communities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education and Experience: Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Master of Library Science (MLS), or Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree from an accredited college or university. Must have a valid California driver’s license. Spanish bilingual skills are strongly desired.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing an average of 35 pounds for setting up and breaking down of outreach vehicles.

SALARY RANGE:              Librarian I -  $36.09 to $45.08 per hour 

                                           Librarian II-  $37.90 to $47.34 per hour

CLOSING DATE:                11:59pm, Wednesday, February 12, 2025 

• Provides assistance to and advises patrons, including children, young adults, adults and senior citizens in the effective use of Library collection, facilities and services; demonstrates the use of library resources, tools, equipment, and electronic reference sources; assists with digital downloads.
• Answers readers’ advisory and general reference questions from telephone, webpage and in-person queries by accessing a variety of print and non-print resources, including electronic resources.
• Participates in collection management of multi-media resources for an assigned area of the Library; reviews and analyzes collection use; recommends books and materials for purchase based on patron needs and attention to the variety of ages, abilities, education, interests, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Performs outreach to the community, community organizations, and schools; informs community members and organizations about library services, programs, and collections.
• Organizes, maintains, and catalogs/indexes a variety of print and digital materials.
• Performs original cataloging of print and non-print materials; maintains and updates catalog files.
• Reviews new publications and collection materials and selects materials and resources for acquisition or disposition as appropriate.
• Participates in the preparation of exhibits and the organization and presentation of a variety of programs for library patrons.
• Participates in meetings, committees, or projects intended to enhance services or promote consistent policies and procedures across the department.
• Enforces rules related to library patronage and borrower policies.
• Responds to suggestions, requests, or concerns from library users or community members.
• Participates in meetings and continuing education programs as appropriate.  
• Compiles library activity reports and statistics.
• May participate in circulation functions at a public service desk as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Principles, practices, procedures, techniques, and materials of professional library work, including library reference, collection development, and other professional library services.
• Techniques and practices of adult, young adult, and children’s services, including provision of reader’s advisory services, and juvenile literature and program presentation.
• Principles, techniques, and procedures in cataloging, indexing, classifying, and organizing library materials.
• Principles, practices and techniques of public relations, community outreach, and service promotion.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of creating, organizing, and presenting a variety of programs for library patrons.
• Principles and techniques used in bibliographic research. 
• General library materials selection, de-selection, and weeding standards. 
• Library services and available resources. 
• Recent technological, professional, and societal developments, current literature, and sources of information related to library services. 
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices and technology, including personal computer hardware and software applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, local municipalities, and Library staff.

• Perform professional library tasks as assigned including reference, readers’ advisory, program and service development, collection development, and cataloging.
• Advise patrons on reference sources and methods,
• Perform detailed reference searches using online, print and other methods.
• Provide reader’s advisory services and referrals to patrons of various age groups.
• Instruct patrons and staff in the use of catalogs and reference tools.
• Identify the needs of the public and participate in collection development by evaluating and recommending materials for acquisition.
• Explain policies and procedures to patrons and staff.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Organize own work and set priorities.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and other written materials.
• Use computer and other technology, including software, hardware, and the Internet sufficient to be able to assist customers, conduct research, prepare reports, and use email and other communications technologies.
• React tactfully and diplomatically during interactions with staff, the public, community groups while appropriately adhering to and enforcing sound library policies, procedures, and practices.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

• Develops, implements, and evaluates services and programs in a designated area such as adult services, children’s services, young adult services, and outreach. 
• Provides difficult and extensive assistance to and advises patrons, including children, young adults, adults and senior citizens in the effective use of Library collection, facilities and services; demonstrates the use of library resources, tools, equipment, and electronic reference sources, including automated catalogs and Internet software; assists with digital downloads.
• Answers routine to complex readers’ advisory and general reference questions from telephone, webpage and in-person queries by accessing a variety of print and non-print resources, including electronic resources.
• Participates in collection development and management of multi-media resources for an assigned area of the Library; reviews and analyzes collection use; recommends books, reference materials, audiovisual materials, electronic media, Internet resources and other library materials for purchase based on patron needs and attention to the variety of ages, abilities, education, interests, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds; may select books for a countywide collection; may manage collection budgets on a local or countywide basis.
• Recommends acquisition of equipment and policy and procedure revisions to improve patron service and efficiency in assigned program areas including adult, young adult, children, website services, or cataloging.
• Provides outreach to the community, community organizations, and schools; informs community members and organizations about library services, programs, and collections.
• Organizes, maintains, and catalogs/indexes a variety of print and digital materials, including government documents, maps, and pamphlets.
• Performs original cataloging of print and non-print materials; maintains and updates catalog files.
• Reviews new publications and collection materials and selects materials and resources for acquisition or disposition as appropriate.
• Participates in meetings, committees, or projects intended to enhance services or promote consistent policies and procedures across the department.
• Enforces rules related to library patronage and borrower policies.
• Responds to suggestions, requests, or concerns from library users or community members.
• Participates in meetings and continuing education programs as appropriate.  
• Represents the library in meetings with the community or special interest groups.
• Participates in library meetings related to assigned area.
• If assigned as an adult, young adult, or children’s librarian, directs the preparation of exhibits, organizes and presents programs, selects and recommends books and other materials including electronic media or online resources suitable for those being served, and provides reference services using a variety of media.
• If assigned as a cataloger oversees copy cataloging and creates original cataloging records, coordinates procedures for adding and deleting items with branch staff, maintains library standards for bibliographic records, upgrades catalog records as needed, and interprets cataloging policies to staff.
• May translate library materials from English into another language.   
• May plan and direct the work of non-librarian staff or volunteers.
• Compiles library activity reports and statistics.
• May participate in circulation functions at a public service desk as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Principles, practices, procedures, techniques, and materials of professional library work, including library reference, collection development, and other professional library services. 
• Techniques and practices of adult, young adult, and children’s services, including provision of reader’s advisory services, and juvenile literature and program presentation.
• Principles, techniques, and procedures in cataloging, indexing, classifying, and organizing library materials.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of public relations, community outreach, and service promotion.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of creating, organizing, and presenting a variety of programs for library patrons.
• Principles and techniques used in bibliographic research. 
• General library materials selection, de-selection, and weeding standards.  
• Library services and available resources. 
• Techniques for promoting and publicizing library services, programs, and events.
• Recent technological, professional, and societal developments, current literature, and sources of information related to library services. 
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices and technology, including personal computer hardware and software applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for effectively representing the Library in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, local municipalities, and Library staff.

• Perform professional library tasks as assigned including reference, readers’ advisory, program and service development, collection development, and cataloging.
• Create, organize, and/or present appropriate programs for target age group.
• Advise patrons on reference sources and methods,
• Perform detailed reference searches using online, print and other methods.
• Provide reader’s advisory services and referrals to patrons of various age groups.
• Instruct patrons and staff in the use of catalogs and reference tools.
• Identify the needs of the public and assist with collection development by evaluating and recommending materials for acquisition.
• Explain policies and procedures to patrons and staff.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Organize own work and set priorities.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and other written materials.
• Use computer and other technology, including software, hardware, and the Internet sufficient to be able to assist customers, conduct research, prepare reports, and use email and other communications technologies.
• React tactfully and diplomatically during interactions with staff, the public, community groups while appropriately adhering to and enforcing sound library policies, procedures, and practices.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

APPLY AT: 

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sonomalibrary

Applications must be complete and submitted by the final filing date in order to be considered. Please ensure that all applicable work experience is listed on the application. Resumes will not substitute for a completed application.

Calculating Experience for Minimum Requirements: Sonoma County Library considers 2080 hours as one year of experience (equivalent to 40 hours per week for 52 weeks).

The application process may contain one or more of the following steps: a supplemental application, written test(s), skills assessment(s), and/or oral examination(s). Candidates who pass the application screening for Minimum Qualifications will be required to take skills assessments to continue the recruitment process. The assessments vary depending on the job classification. Candidates who are invited to test will receive an invitation listing the specific assessments they have been assigned.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION:

Employment offers will be contingent upon a successful pre-employment verification/criminal records clearance. Having a criminal record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION: Sonoma County Library will make reasonable accommodations in the recruitment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you are invited to participate in an examination or interview and have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 545-0831 extension 1591  as soon as possible to make arrangements for your accommodation. Requesting accommodations at least 3 working/business days before the scheduled event will help to ensure availability. For further information regarding disability accommodations provided by the Library and related matters, see the Library’s website at https://www.sonomalibrary.org/visit/inbranchservices/accessibility.

Sonoma County Library values diversity, empowerment, community, unity, kindness, connection, and equity. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the recruiting and hiring of staff.

Recruitment Contact

Contact phone: 

(707)545-0831 ext.1591

Contact email: 

hr@sonomalibrary.org