Librarian, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA

Direct Manager: Jessica Pederson, Director of Education & Audience Engagement

Department/Group: Education  &  Audience  Engagement

Job Category: Non-Exempt, Permanent, Part-time

Location: Boylston, MA

Travel Required: Yes, local

Salary Or Rate Range:  Commensurate with Experience

Contact: Jessica Pederson,  jpederson@towerhillbg.org

Posting Expires: Open until filled

Application Instructions: Please submit your cover letter and resume. Include your last and first name in the file name of each document.

THE ORGANIZATION

Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s mission is to inspire the use and appreciation of horticulture to improve lives, enrich communities and strengthen commitment to the natural world. Our core values are Learning, Stewardship, Sustainability, Inclusivity, Joy and Excellence. Our vision is to build on Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s unique vantage point atop Tower Hill in Central New England. We will grow our gardens and programs to connect with new audiences and deepen our relationship with those who know us. Our gardens will become a must-see destination drawing visitors from near and far. We will strive to become a collection of people and plants that can make a difference beyond our boundaries. We will work with others to develop and disseminate plant-based solutions to societal issues. Finally, we will lead some of those efforts to build a better world with plants and people.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under the direction of the Director of Education and Audience Engagement, and working as a member of the Education and Audience Engagement team, the Librarian manages the Tower Hill Library and Non- Living Collections. The Tower Hill Library is found on the lower level of the Stoddard Education and Visitors Center and is home to more than 8,000 resources which support the mission of the organization.

Tower Hill’s Non-Living Collections are subdivided into three categories: General Collections, including circulating and non-circulating materials (e.g., books, DVDs, encyclopedias, directories, journals); Special Collections including rare print materials (e.g. herbals, compendiums) and institutional archives (e.g., annual reports, exhibition records, correspondence); and Teaching Collections including decorative arts (e.g. portraits, furnishings, etc).                                          

Tower Hill opened in 1986 but its history as the Worcester County Horticultural Society dates back to the 1840’s and the Library goes back almost as far. Early library holdings began with donations from founders and members. Today the Library provides access to a robust circulating collection on gardening for all ages and abilities, institutional and garden historical records, and regular exhibitions of archival materials. Visitors are encouraged to read, study, research, and play in the children’s area.

Typical duties include:

• selecting, cataloging, and classifying Library resources.
• managing accessions and deaccessions.
• using, updating, and maintaining library systems, databases, and content managements systems.
• inventorying, weeding, and maintaining the collections.
• overseeing reference and helping patrons to navigate electronic records and resources.
• coordinating Library web page updates.
• ensuring that the Library supports the organization’s mission and meets the needs of target audiences.
• creating an environment that attracts and invites adults and youth to use the collections.
  • thinking strategically about the Library’s future and niche in the region and strategizing ways to keep the Library relevant.
  • answering patron questions about the Library and Non-Living collections.
  • supporting independent research and learning.
  • maintaining records and reporting on usage and visitation.
    • overseeing the preservation and conservation of institutional records, rare materials and art and artifacts stored in the vault and throughout the buildings and gardens.
    • assisting with the promotion and marketing of the Library.
      • collaborating with the education team to offer a robust array of programming and exhibitions in the Library for adults and youth.
      • training and overseeing the work of volunteers.
      • managing and administering approved Library budget.
        • attending staff meetings as necessary and serving on or providing information to designated Board committees.
        • coordinating the development of promotional materials such as bookmarks and displays for the children’s area.
        • utilizing a variety of techniques (e.g., community reads, discussion groups) to encourage Library use.
        • working with the Manager of Adult Education to identify authors for lectures and book signings.
        • evaluating Library programs and activities and implementing improvements based on the results.
        • preparing items for digitization.
        • performing additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SCHEDULE

The Librarian’s position is hourly and non-exempt from overtime. The standard work schedule for this position is 21 hours per week, and will include weekends, 9:30am-4:30pm (21 hours for 52 weeks, full year).

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will:

• have a bachelors or masters degree from an ALA-accredited library program.
• have at least 5 years experience working in a library.
• have experience working in a small and/or special library.
• be flexible and willing to adapt to change, and interested in helping envision change.
  • have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal tactfully with visitors, students, volunteers, instructors, and staff.
  • have knowledge and proficiency with OCLC, MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data, RTF, reference databases, Microsoft Offi suite, integrated library systems, and content management software is essential.
  • be proficient with CyberTools, LibGuides, and PastPerfect.
  • have experience analyzing visitor trends and implementing changes in a Library.
    • have experience or certification with archival management.
    • have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
    • have strong organizational, time management, oral, and written skills.
    • have a strong interest or experience in the field of horticulture, botany, biology, gardening, natural science, or a similar subject.
    • be able to create and adhere to a budget.
    • have knowledge of children’s resources.
    • have experience working with a variety of young audiences, including school groups, PreK-12 community groups, and families.