SUMMARY: Under
limited direction, provides reference and reader’s advisory for
the general public, provides general customer service, works on
projects as assigned to promote an interactive educational experience
including collections, technology, and programs; and performs related
duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL
FUNCTIONS:(Essential functions,
as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the
following tasks, knowledge skills, and other characteristics. This
list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all
functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)
DUTIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES:(Which are not
in any hierarchical order)
- Provides
customer service at reference desk; researches and answers questions
from the public and assists them in use of the library.
- Provides
readers advisory for the general public; recommends authors,
materials and resources to assist customers in their information
selections.
- Participates
in technology projects designed to organize online information to
make it more accessible and useful to the public.
- Provides
reference services utilizing electronic resources including but not
limited to online catalogs, Internet, CD-ROM products, online
databases and indexes.
- Assists
customers in the use of online resources; designs and implements
training programs for customers and staff in the use of online
resources.
- Prepares
bibliographies both printed and online, including web resources.
- Designs,
coordinates and implements library programs; develops partnerships
with the community to provide programs and services; writes press
releases and markets library to the community.
- Advises
in the selection of materials, maintains collections under the
supervision of the reference supervisor, reads professional
literature and reviews as appropriate.
- Provides
expertise in specific areas of librarianship such as business,
technology, fiction, government documents, arts and culture,
children’s collection and interlibrary loan.
- Maintains
current with developments in the field of library technology and
information services.
- Manages,
and gathers information to design collections and services,
including but not limited to historical, business, reference and
online collections.
- Oversees
activities of other staff and volunteers as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge
of library collections of targeted populations.
- Knowledge
of general library practices and procedures.
- Knowledge
of community interests, trends and resources sufficient for
determination of book utilization.
- Knowledge
of computer hardware, software and peripherals sufficient to
instruct target population in their use.
- Skill
in utilizing customer service techniques in responding to inquiries
and complaints.
- Skill
in utilizing computer databases to research, maintain, and update
records and files.
- Skill
in instructing the general public in the use of computers and other
technical or audiovisual machines.
- Ability
to utilize verbal and written communication in the development of
administrative and technical reports and presentations.
- Ability
to develop and present programs to groups.
- Ability
to conduct reference interviews and to use printed reference
materials and the Internet for research.
- Ability
to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those
contacted in the course of work.
PHYSICAL
REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work involves moderate work in an office setting. There is frequent
need to stand, stoop, walk, sit, lift light objects (up to 25 pounds)
and perform other similar actions during the course of the workday.
The City of West Palm Beach promotes a drug/alcohol free work
environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS: Master’s in Library
Science (MLS) from an ALA accredited program of study with two (2)
years related experience in a field such as teaching, recreation,
social work or book sales, or any equivalent combination of training
and experience.