LIBRARY Circulation Services Librarian

DEFINITION

Position is responsible for performing administrative and supervisory functions for the Library Circulation Department, including coordinating and supervising staff and volunteers, training, providing circulation and intra-network loan and reserve services, readers’ advisory and database reference and referral services, responding to inquiries, requests and complaints from patrons, advising and participating in marketing functions, selecting and de-selecting all adult fiction materials and managing book club.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. 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.

 Manages the operation of the Circulation Department; evaluates and prioritizes department needs, recommends, develops, and implements policies or procedures to improve operations. Maintains and updates a resource manual for the circulation division, and reports usage and other statistics to the Library Director.  Provides information and assistance to library patrons on library programs, procedures and policies; responds to all requests, inquiries, and/or complaints, referring patrons to other departments as appropriate. Provides instruction in effectively using the public access catalog; maintains quality public relations. Maintains organization and order to physical surroundings, promoting library materials and services through display and exhibits. Assists readers in choosing materials, providing professional and personalized advice.  Supervises and performs all aspects of automated circulation system, checking out, discharging, renewing and recalling library materials. Administers reserve system, searches network database for materials requested by patrons, reserves materials, and informs patrons of their arrival. Registers new borrowers and explains policies and procedures; adjusts on-line status of patrons and items to reflect changes in status; issues temporary registrations to non-resident patrons. Issues and collects charges for lost, damaged or overdue materials, reconciling patron records. Routes inter-library loan materials to the owning libraries as appropriate. Schedules and processes special loans, e.g. museum pass, public use computers. Responsible for updating the system calendar to accurately reflect hours of service. Monitors e-mail communications and prepares reports and correspondence for department. Routes phone calls and messages. Monitors security-gate alarms.  Supervises staff and volunteers, provides training and direction, schedules work assignments, and resolves departmental staff issues; participates in the interview process for departmental employee candidates; may evaluate performance of staff and make reports to the Director.

- FLSA Exempt 360 - G November 2016 1  Participates in collection development through analysis of patron interests and demand, reads reviews, evaluates, selects and withdraws library materials in assigned areas, i.e. popular circulating materials, monitoring an acquisitions budget. Reviews donated materials for possible addition to collection.  Communicates with other libraries to coordinate policies, participates on network committees and may help coordinate and run workshops sponsored by the committees, attends professional library seminars and conferences; reads professional literature; participates in staff meeting discussions.  Formulates and processes system-generated statistical reports for collection analysis and inventory circulation control. Maintains Museum Pass website and Book Clubs portion of library website.  Manages, facilitates, and promotes monthly book club for patrons.  Works at all public service desks and services as backup to other public departments as needed, responding to patron requests for Circulation reference, and instructional services  Responsible for securing the building in the absence of the custodian

 Performs similar or related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under general direction, employee plans and prioritizes the majority of work independently, in accordance with standard practices and previous training. Employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions accordingly. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The supervisor, as a regular and continuing part of the job, is accountable for the quality and quantity of work done by subordinates and assures the accomplishment of the assigned work in the prescribed manner. The incumbent gives advice and instruction on both administrative and work matters; informs subordinates of organizational policies, goals and procedures; resolves employee complaints and recommends disciplinary actions, such as oral warnings and reprimands; has substantial responsibility for technical soundness of subordinates’ work.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The nature of the professional or technical work means that errors in analysis, techniques or recommendations would probably be difficult to detect. Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment could result in excessive costs, delay of service delivery, or legal repercussions.

- FLSA Exempt 360 - G November 2016 2 JUDGMENT

The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of professional principles, policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations.

COMPLEXITY

The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Relationships are constantly with co-workers, the public, vendors, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance, including departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation. Must use courtesy, tact and diplomacy to resolve complaints or deal with hostile, uncooperative or uniformed persons.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Employee has access to sensitive, private and confidential information in the performance of their duties.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from accredited college or university or have completed at least two-thirds of the required credits and be currently enrolled in the graduate program. One to three years of library experience or a related area or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability to obtain certification from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

- FLSA Exempt 360 - G November 2016 3 KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS

Knowledge: Knowledge of library sciences, and library management principles, practices and procedures; knowledge of programs, services, and department operations; knowledge of computers and software.

Abilities: Ability to work effectively with patrons and staff; supervise, train, and direct staff and volunteers; manage multiple detailed tasks through frequent interruptions; resolve conflicts with tact and diplomacy and maintain harmonious working relationships.

Skills: Computer, oral and written communication and customer service skills. Knowledge of popular authors, current trends and literarily genres.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical library. Noise and disruptive behavior of patrons may be distracting. Incumbent may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to emergency situations or to attend special programs.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS

Physical Skills

Physical demands are required to perform much of the work. The work involves periods of standing, with intermittent periods of reaching, stooping, and walking. May be required to lift or move objects such as book trucks, boxes of books, office supplies, and office supplies and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes and viewing a computer monitor.

- FLSA Exempt 360 - G November 2016 4