Sacramento Public Library - Youth Services (Eligibility List)

Date Posted: October 15, 2015

Close Date: 5pm on Friday, Oct 30th, 2015

Salary: $25.81 - $34.59 Hourly
This is a non-exempt, union represented, full-time position with benefits.

To apply, visit https://www.calopps.org/ViewAgencyJob.cfm?ID=23038&kw=

Do you love Pete the Cat, middle school makerspaces, and teen volunteers?  Can you share early literacy tips, research databases, and troubleshoot mobile devices while simultaneously un-jamming the copier?  Sacramento Public Library is looking for creative and enthusiastic Youth Services Librarians to join our team.  If you are passionate about serving families, children and teens, we need you!

Sacramento Public Library is a dynamic library system, with 28 branches serving a diverse population.  Our staff is innovative and collaborative, with high customer service expectations. SPL has a commitment to community engagement, and outreach and public speaking skills are required.

The Sacramento Public Library is the fourth largest library system in California, serving more than 1.4 million residents in the City and County of Sacramento, including the incorporated cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Isleton, and Rancho Cordova.  The system is a Joint Powers Authority, governed by a 15 member board comprised of elected officials from each of the member jurisdictions, with representation based on each jurisdiction's population.  The Authority operates 28 libraries, including the Central Library in downtown Sacramento, has over 300 staff members, contains a collection of 1.5 million volumes and an annual budget of $37 million. More than 700 thousand residents have library cards and 8 million items are circulated annually.  The Library welcomes more than 4 million visitors annually.  This is a great opportunity for qualified applicants.

One of the most historic cities in California, Sacramento is a great place to live, with exceptional cultural, artistic, and leisure opportunities, and 300+ days of sunshine per year.

We will be creating a new Eligibility List that will be used to staff Youth Services Librarian openings that occur in the next 6 months.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited college or university; applicants who are within 6 months of graduation may apply.

Fluency in a foreign language is a plus

Job Summary

Performs a variety of professional library work, including reference and readers’ advisory services, youth services, cataloging, selection and collection management, programming, staff and customer training, special projects; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

(Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

1. Works in public service area answering information and readers’ advisory questions;
2. Identifies and locates library materials and assists customers in locating materials;
3. Assists and instructs customers in use of library resources, facilities, and policies;
4. Assists customers in performing computer searches and using electronic databases;
5. May perform copy and original cataloging and classification of library materials;
6. Coordinates selection and acquisitions processes for library materials, including maintaining standing orders and serials databases and files and monitoring holds buy ratios;
7. Designs and presents programs and presentations and accompanying materials;
8. Assists in training staff newly assigned to work area;
9. Keeps records and statistics; prepares reports;
10. Keeps abreast of practices and trends in public librarianship by attending workshops and educational programs and reading periodicals and specialized literature; and recommends more efficient practices; 
11. Attends meetings, trainings and seminars; participates in various committees and team activities;
12. Fills in for any subordinate position, as needed;
13. Maintains positive relationships with other staff and members of the public;
14. Requires regular and punctual employee presence;
15. Acts as a representative of Sacramento Public Library to the public;
16. May:

• Select new and replacement materials and perform collection management functions in assigned area;
• Perform outreach activities, including school visits, story time presentations, and contacting community organizations and agencies;
• Carry out or supervise special projects;
• Prepare schedules;
• Supervise shelvers and volunteers;
• Perform circulation functions;
• Be in charge of a department or branch during short term absence of supervisor; 
• Perform simple repair and maintenance on computers and other equipment; and

    17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:

Knowledge of:

1. Sacramento Public Library’s policies and procedures and practices and procedures of assigned department or branch;
2. Current reference and search tools, including electronic resources, the Internet and bibliographic utilities, and the ability to use them;
3. Integrated library system procedures and explain to staff and library customers;
4. Customer service techniques in a wide variety of situations and towards a diverse customer population;
5. Basic understanding of the principles of cataloging and understanding of the Dewey system;
6. Principles and practices of intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights.

Ability to:

1. Successfully communicate with other staff members, library customers, representatives of community organizations, schools, and agencies, and library vendors and suppliers;
2. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff and work as a team; 
3. Understand the customer’s needs and deliver services by focusing on the customer;
4. Take initiative to ensure a positive and successful customer experience by contributing to finding solutions, regardless of assigned responsibility;
5. Respond to customers and address customer complaints/problems in a timely, accurate, courteous, respectful and friendly manner;
6. Possess attention to detail and follow through on tasks effectively and efficiently;
7. Establish priorities and organize workload effectively and efficiently while paying attention to detail and complete assignments under pressure;
8. Maintain a pleasant and productive working atmosphere; maintain composure and work effectively even when under pressure;
9. Keep all relevant parties informed of all major issues and to recommend changes as appropriate;
10. Act on behalf of the branch or department supervisor as necessary.

Skill in:

Operating relevant computer systems, including hardware and software; current audio-visual equipment; and office machines.

Education and Experience

1. Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited university;
2. No experience necessary;

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Work occurs in a normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditions.  Normally seated, standing or walking at will.  Frequently required to sit, stand and walk, talk or hear and to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  Physical activity requires occasional stooping and bending and daily lifting of library materials, supplies, etc. up to 50 pounds; some positions may require pushing book carts weighing up to 150 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  Requires repetitive motion in the operation of a computer.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, libraries, meeting and training rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire and building safety regulations.   Position may require some travel throughout the library service area.  May require working evening and weekend shifts.  Interaction with library staff, library customers, other libraries, agencies and organizations, or vendors will be necessary to provide and receive information, present programs, or resolve situations or problems.  There may be some exposure to angry or hostile individuals.

A valid Class C California Drivers License may be required for some positions at the time of appointment.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate:

• Is passionate about literacy and community partnerships. 
• Understands that early and teen literacy is critical to building healthy communities and genuinely loves serving a diverse population.
• Has excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Is skilled in time management & organizational skills.