Senior Local History & Public Services Librarian, Peabody Institute Library, Peabody, MA
Posted February 10, 2021
Description:
Responsible for integrating local history knowledge with public services to focus on accessibility and knowledge sharing with the general public and celebrating Peabody’s collections with its community. Manages public services, and the daily operations of the Sutton Room and Local History Resource Center at a busy public library, including local history programming, research and reference services, and art and archives collection management. Represents the library through community outreach and in professional organizations such as NOBLE; must maintain and develop professional skills. This is a full-time position. Salary is $54,937.91 – $56,042.17.
Public Services:
- Provides circulation, reference, and reader’s advisory services to patrons at the public services desk.
- Answers advanced reference inquiries referred by other staff.
- Assists patrons with library technology; troubleshoots hardware, software, and network problems.
- Works regular Public Services desk shifts and interacts with the public, splitting time equally between public services and local history duties.
- Keeps statistics relevant to the public services department for mandated State reporting and when requested by the Director or Assistant Director.
Staff Supervision:
- Participates in hiring and supervising assigned staff and volunteers.
- Provides or coordinates appropriate departmental training.
- Evaluates staff as requested by Director.
- Assists Director and Assistant Director with developing comprehensive training program for all library staff.
Local History Programs and Marketing:
- Develops and conducts or coordinates local history educational, cultural, and technology programs for the public based on community needs and interests.
- Coordinates publicity for local history programs, including adding to the library’s quarterly events brochures, weekly e-newsletters, and social media.
- Successfully writes grants and secures outside funding for library initiatives and programs.
Local History Operations:
- Develops and implements departmental goals and objectives.
- Assists Director and Assistant Director with policy development for the library.
- Answers reference and research questions, retrieves materials for public use, including providing electronic access to collections.
- Plans and manages digitization projects.
- Maintains the local history website, and creates physical & virtual local history exhibits.
- Responsible for access and use of the library’s archival materials in cooperation with the Library Director and Assistant Library Director.
Local History Collection & Archives Management:
- Responsible for the development and management of library collections as assigned.
- Evaluates materials for retention.
- Proposes preservation solutions for the protection of documents.
- Coordinates document storage with the city clerk and other departments.
- Keeps statistics relevant to the department for mandated State reporting and when requested by the Director or Assistant Director.
Outreach:
- Identifies outreach possibilities to bring library local history services and information to new and/or underserved audiences.
- Provides appropriate remote library services offsite, community based locations.
- Builds and maintains community partnerships that expand the reach of the library.
Qualifications:
This position requires an MLS from an ALA-accredited institution. Concentration in archives, museums, and/or history is preferred. Candidates who are currently enrolled in such a program and who have demonstrated progress toward an MLS degree may be considered. Successful candidates will have at least two years relevant experiences that includes outstanding public service, instruction, and technology skills, archives or museum experience, and knowledge of preservation issues. Schedule includes one evening per week, and every 2nd Saturday.
How to Apply:
The original job posting with full description can be found here. Please send resume and letter of application to:
Cate Merlin, Library Director
Peabody Institute Library
82 Main Street
Peabody, MA 01960
[email protected]