Information Services Librarian (part-time), Forbes Library, Northampton, MA

Posted April 21, 2015

Forbes Library seeks a creative, dynamic, enthusiastic professional for a 22 hour per week Information Services position. Working independently, and reporting to the Information Services Coordinators, this person will provide excellent professional assistance to patrons who require information, Readers’ Advisory services, and technological assistance. Excellent customer service, communication, and technological skills are required, as well as demonstrable skill in creating effective and appealing PR materials in a wide variety of formats.

Duties and Responsibilities​:

• Respond to reference and information requests for all Information Services areas (including Reference, Arts & Music, Local History) in person, on the telephone, via email and through other communication methods as they become relevant.
• Provide Readers’ Advisory service by maintaining a keen understanding of genres, reading reviews in a broad array of sources, seeking out titles in the media and seeking titles of predictable interest to the community.
• Understand Readers’ Advisory as a fundamental library service. Seeks out and embraces new readers’ advisory strategies.
• Market and promote collections to maximum effect including Readers’ Advisory newsletters, displays and other strategies.
• Manage adult summer reading program.
• Assist in producing adult programs and events, including monthly Afternoon Book Discussion.
• Contribute to digital information resources, including the library’s social media channels.
• Troubleshoot copiers, printers, microfilm machines, computers, and e­readers.
• Teach patrons the use of technology and information resources one­-on-­one and in group settings.
• May be required to supervise others.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications​:

Minimum Qualifications:

• MLS from an ALA accredited school.
• Experience working with the public at a busy public library.
• Experience providing Readers’ Advisory services.
• Excellent technology skills and knowledge of current and emerging information technologies.
• Ability to create attractive graphic designs that effectively promote library programs and services.
• Ability and desire to serve the public with friendliness, tact and diplomacy.
• Attention to detail, professional attitude, reliability and organizational ability.
• Ability to work with enthusiasm and initiative, a cheerful disposition and a willingness to work harmoniously with others.

Preferred:

• Experience in information instruction.
• Knowledge of language(s) other than English.
• Familiarity with C/W MARS and/or Evergreen.
• Interest in Local History and historic documents including images.

Work Environment

• Considerable public and staff contact and rapid turnover at service desk.
• Serves patrons where needed throughout the building, and interacts with all library departments.
• Sometimes lifts and/or transports objects weighing 5 to 20 pounds; pushes or pulls carts loaded with materials. Retrieves and/or shelves objects from all shelving levels.
• Likely exposure to dust, newsprint, etc. in book stack areas.
• Extended periods of standing or sitting may be required.

Hours

Salaried part-­time, working an average of 22 hours per week. Schedule is likely to include two Saturdays per month and one evening per week.

Salary/benefits: Grade 8 Health insurance, sick time and prorated vacation time.

Starting date: As soon as filled

Closing date: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.

Contact: Information Services Search Committee Forbes Library, 20 West Street, Northampton, MA 01060 [email protected]