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Assistant Librarian - Sample 2

Position

Assistant Librarian - Community College

Department

Library

Accountable To

Library Director

Summary of Work

Position develops, maintains, and provides access to and instruction in library resources and information at Dawson Community College. Provides information services to faculty, administration, students, staff, and community.

Job Characteristics

Nature of Work

This position performs administrative and technical duties requiring accuracy and attention to detail in the operation of the college library. Position is required to work a split shift which results in evening and sometimes weekend work. Must be flexible to cover additional hours usually working over 40 hours per week. Fills in when the Library Director is absent. Must be able to lift and shelve books and have access to upper and lower library shelves. Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.

Personal Contacts

Continuous contact with library patrons including students, staff, administrators, faculty, and the community.

Supervision Received

Position is mainly self-directed with special or immediate assignments from the supervisor.

Supervision Exercised

Supervision of from 6-12 work study students per year; each averages nine hours per week. Trains students in the various library functions. Disciplines and terminates, if necessary.

Essential Functions

Position requires ability to: communicate orally and in writing; supervise and train work study students; read written material; order and process books and materials; apply computer knowledge including current word processing software and Internet searching; maintain catalog; maintain circulation database; complete inter-library loan requests; keep library organized and tidy; calculate; maintain records; type and file; assist users; and operate office machines.

Areas of Job Accountablity and Performance

  • Implement and provide assistance in accessing learning resources to patrons.
  • Provide technical services including database management of automated catalog, circulation system and OCLC/WLN service; Interlibrary Loan services and periodical management.

Cataloging

  • Generate, classify, and process orders for new acquisitions.
  • Physically process all new acquisitions.
  • Maintain cost account of all acquisitions.
  • Transfer and edit electronic records to and from OCLC/WLN, Library of Congress (LC) and the local database while maintaining integrity and accuracy of authority records.

Circulation

  • Maintain and update circulation database and resolve related problems.
  • Train student assistants to follow established circulation policies and procedures.
  • Set up report modules to print overdue notices and other reports and statistics.

OCLC/WLN (Online Computer Library Center)

  • Submit accurate and consistent holding records for all new acquisitions to the OCLC/WLN network and attach our call number; send quarterly.
  • Make corrections and/or update our holdings records.

Interlibrary Loan

  • Directs all inter-library loans from patron request through loan completion and maintains records.
  • Produces required reports for statistics and state reimbursement.
  • Uses bibliographic and other electronic databases to effect the interlibrary loans.
  • Chooses appropriate, cost-effective and timely sources for meeting ILL needs; uses and supervises the use of computer equipment, copies and fax.

Periodicals

  • Receipts and processes journals, newspapers and other periodicals.
  • Maintains physical periodical collection; replaces damaged and missing materials.
  • Assists users in the use of periodicals.
  • Assists with Internet accessible journals and indexing.
  • Maintains periodical records in the shared database and WLN.

Other Duties

  • Assists in development, review and evaluation of library resources, policies and procedures.
  • Maintains statistics of library operations for internal and external reporting.
  • Attend training as technology changes.
  • Assists with answering the telephone in the evenings for the college.
  • Manages the faculty reserve shelves.
  • Oversees and assists with equipment use, videos, and rentals.
  • Does book repair.
  • Orders and processes materials and supplies for the Library.
  • Handles materials and some tests for the Distance Learning Center.
  • Assigns work study duties, trains, and supervises.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Job Requirements

Knowledge

This position requires a knowledge of: modern practices and procedures for researching, accessing and maintaining library materials and resources; computerized library systems; use of office machines and A/V equipment; and current word processing programs.

Skills

This position requires skills in use of: computers, office machines, A/V equipment, and skills in maintaining databases and critical thinking skills.

Abilities

This position requires the ability to: organize and prioritize duties; be self-directed; supervise and train students; work evening hours; be on call when work study students work evening hours; solve people and computer problems; do research; communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow verbal and written instructions; work with numerous interruptions; learn complex database systems; handle stress; sit for long periods of time at computer; establish effective working relationships with fellow employees, students, supervisors, and the public.

Education and Experience

  • The above knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:
  • A minimum of an Associate degree in library science preferred.
  • Two or more years of experience working in a library.
  • Experience with computers and office machines.
  • Must be certified by the state in interlibrary loan procedures.

Job Performance Standards

  • Evaluation of this position will be based primarily upon performance of the preceding requirements and duties. Examples of job performance criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Performs assigned duties.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of modern library practices and procedures.
  • Keeps abreast of new technology related to library functions.
  • Capably provides library services to patrons.
  • Capably trains and supervises work-study students.
  • Competently maintains computerized records and databases.
  • Capably assists patrons to find information and materials.
  • Capably assists with phones and other duties for the college.
  • Provides for an organized, tidy library.
  • Maintains accurate and timely records.
  • Prepares and submits accurate and timely reports.
  • Deals tactfully and courteously with the public.
  • Observes work hours.
  • Demonstrates punctuality.
  • Maintains strict confidentiality regarding library usage and faxes.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors and the public.