Part-time Floater Librarians, Boston Public Library, Boston MA

Posted April 14, 2014

The Organization
A leading American historian has called the Boston Public Library (BPL) one of the five great libraries of the world. Over 3.5 million people visit the Boston Public Library every year to use its collection of twenty two million books, maps, manuscripts, photographs, prints, drawings and other items. Another eight million people connect with the BPL through its website www.bpl.org to use its services and the growing collection of electronic resources, downloadable media and digitized rare books, maps and manuscripts.

Among its preeminent collections, the BPL holds a First Folio by William Shakespeare; original music scores by Mozart, Prokofiev and others; and the personal library of President John Adams. In addition, the BPL is home to the renowned Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, which includes over 200,000 historic maps and 5,000 atlases from all over the world. Over 10,000 programs and classes attract thousands of residents from across diverse neighborhoods and cultural groups. Award winning online and in-library homework assistance sessions, literacy classes, author programs and computer training sessions are also a popular draw.

The BPL is a department of the municipal government of Boston and a statutory charitable organization governed by a board of nine Trustees appointed by the Mayor.

The Boston Public Library is accepting applications for part-time Floater Librarians. Four positions are available. The
successful candidates must be available to work days, nights and/or weekends to staff public service desks at various locations as assigned and will participate in reference services to a diverse population characteristic of an urban setting. The Floater Librarian will perform various tasks requiring a broad knowledge of professional literature, bibliographic sources and principles of information delivery and services. Floaters must serve in the position for a full year before being considered for other positions.

Salary: $24.49 – $33.02 per hour, DOQ. 18 hours per week.

Minimum Qualifications:

•  A master’s degree in library science from an accredited library school
•  Specialized subject knowledge and competency in world languages desirable
•  Knowledge of basic bibliographic tools/sources and excellent reference techniques

Requirements
1. Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
2. Residency – Must be a resident of the City of Boston upon the first day of hire.
3. CORI – Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of Boston.

Complete job description and application available at: www.cityofboston.gov/OHR/careercenter.asp

Deadline for application: April 30, 2014