Outreach Library Specialist

Alachua-County,-Fl; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alachua County Library District seeks a paraprofessional to perform complex technical duties under supervision, with some independence. Responsibilities include reader guidance, cataloging and database work, records management, and assisting patrons with materials and information.

Occasional bookmobile operation and program support are expected; evenings and weekends may be required. A valid Florida driver’s license and ability to pass a background check are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.
• Must possess a valid State of Florida Drivers license and be insurable by District’s insurance carrier.
• Background check and criminal history inquiry required prior to employment.
• Evening and weekend work hours may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead worker on assigned tasks.
• Perform reader guidance and ready reference work through basic searches of online resources and databases; assist patrons and staff in locating materials and/or information.
• Organize, index and maintain records, library databases, and files; maintain inventories.
• Review library materials and recommend purchase to a professional Librarian.
• Drive and operate bookmobiles and other library vehicles.
• Operate PCs, terminals and peripherals for office tasks and to assist the public.
• Explain Library District procedures and policies.
• Plan, schedule and host program sessions; design and produce support materials.
• Load materials onto bookmobile; shelve/reshelve materials.
• Operate and assist patrons with library equipment.
• Ensure patron compliance with policies through effective communication and enforcement.
• Note: these examples illustrate duties; omissions do not exclude related work.

Skills

Reader guidance

Database searches

Record keeping

Customer service

Bookmobile operation

Basic PC skills

Policy explanation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet

Database software

Job description

Bachelor's degree; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Must possess a valid State of Florida Drivers license and be insurable by District’s insurance carrier. Successful completion of a criminal history background investigation is required prior to employment. Evening and weekend work hours may be required. This is responsible, varied technical and paraprofessional work in the Alachua County Library District.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for performing complex technical duties under general supervision and within prescribed guidelines. Although the employee works with considerable independence, deviations from established library procedures or library policy are made in consultation with a higher level supervisor.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher Level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Functions as lead worker on assigned tasks.
• Performs reader guidance and ready reference work within established guidelines through basic searches of online resources and databases; assists patrons and staff in locating materials and/or information.
• Organizes, indexes and maintains records, library databases, and files; maintains inventories.
• Reviews library materials and recommends purchase to a professional Librarian.
• Drives and operates bookmobiles and other library vehicles.
• Operates personal computers, terminals and peripherals (scanners, printers, photocopiers) in office support tasks and to assist the public.
• Explains Library District procedures and policies.
• Keeps abreast of publisher, vendor and outside agency procedures as they relate to library operations.
• Plans, schedules and hosts individual program sessions; obtains, designs and produces support materials.
• Loads materials onto bookmobile; shelve/reshelve materials.
• Operates, maintains and assists patrons in the use of library equipment.
• Ensure patron compliance of all policies and procedures through effective communication and enforcement.
• Performs related work as required.
• NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of organizing materials in alphabetical and numerical order.
• Knowledge of a variety of books, subjects and literature, specifically as related to assigned area.
• Knowledge of the major fields of learning comprising the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities.
• Knowledge of operating and basic troubleshooting of computer equipment.
• Knowledge of frequently used software applications, word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Ability to perform basic troubleshooting of common software problems.
• Ability to use emerging technology for patron service.
• Ability to drive Library District vehicles.
• Ability to interpret, apply and explain library procedures.
• Ability to determine when a situation should be referred to a higher level supervisor.
• Ability to receive and convey written or oral instructions; ability to explain informational instructions to others.
• Ability to push and/or pull fully loaded hand carts; ability to load and unload materials from carts and vehicles.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, the public and other agencies.
• Ability to lift, reach, and bend to locate and remove requested materials.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is required to reach and be mobile. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus associated with the constant use of printed matter and computer monitors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.