Head of Reference and Patron-Facing Technology, Chelmsford Public Library, Chelmsford, MA

Posted November 30, 2022

Description

The Chelmsford (MA) Public Library is looking for the right professional to lead a department of savvy,
enthusiastic library professionals who are excited about new trends in librarianship. Our ideal Head of Reference will be outgoing, have diverse library experience, and enthusiasm for moving library services forward.

In this moment of change, we’re ready to reimagine reference and patron-facing technology and we’re looking for the person who will jump in and make things happen: from ideas to design to implementation. We need someone who is always thinking (whether about new technologies or the best user design for the library website) and wants to hear about what others are thinking too.

The successful department head will thrive on variety and challenges, make decisions with an eye to both the traditional and the innovative, and find collegial debate to be energizing and necessary for growth. We need someone who knows how to turn ideas into action and who is motivated to follow through; not only a collaborator, but a leader. Our new Head of Reference will want to be where the action is and involved in making it happen.

We’re looking for someone who is able to shift gears at any moment, filling in at a desk, advocating for the library on the spot, or solving a glitch in tech. You should thrive on brainstorming with other staff, interacting with the public, tracking down the answer to that tough patron question, and choosing the very best online and print resources for our residents. Not to mention keeping your game face after explaining the same tech skill multiple times. Someone talented enough to take on most anything – and teach the rest of us how.

We want to know about how you build and grow relationships with library colleagues, the public, Town employees and representatives, community partners, and volunteers. Show us your successful public engagement, website, and new service launches. Pitch us an exciting new program or service (and how you will lead staff to make it a reality)! We need a person who has a great track record managing and developing staff and themselves.

We’re looking for a well-read (-listened, and/or -watched) candidate who can’t resist recommending the right resource to the right person in the right moment. Someone who brings their best self to the detailed work of comprehensive collection development and to the expansive nature of mentoring other librarians. We also need someone organized, perceptive, and up-to-speed on current library and business trends. Basically, we want it all. Is that you?

Our Library and Community: A fun and rewarding place to work! We have highly engaged residents and Town counterparts who support the library in visible ways. Our staff, Trustees, and Friends are excited to turn new ideas into reality, and we’re not afraid to try things out. We have welcomed many vibrant new librarians in the past 4 years – their enthusiasm energizes us all. Be prepared for some friendly banter; we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We know you’ll want to join our team!

We will start reviewing resumes on 12/7/2022 and begin conducting interviews on 12/12/2022.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Department Oversight: Oversees the daily operation of the Reference Department and determines and maintains the best possible organization of resources in the department. Maintains an updated procedural manual for the department. Ensures that all procedures and transactions are compliant with library policy.
• Technology: Is one of the designated administrators of the library website, overseeing maintenance and updates of the CMS and plug-ins, troubleshooting website issues and coordinating with the web hosting vendor. In conjunction with the Technology Manager, is responsible for planning, organizing and managing the patron technology within the library. Acts as the library’s liaison with outside vendors of reference software and products, with the staff of MVLC, and works with the Town’s IT Department when needed. Administers and maintains all electronic resources, and discovery platforms. Provides technical expertise, day-to-day administration, and troubleshoots issues that may arise with these tools.
• Technology: Works with the Technology Manager and the Director on long-range planning of information technology resources for the library. Provides leadership in identifying, evaluating, selecting and implementing appropriate new trends in library technology. Anticipates and adapts/adopts technologies in support of evolving library reference, instruction, and access services models. Stays current with developments in library and educational technologies and makes recommendations to the Library Director
• Technology: With the Technology Manager, supervises and schedules technology orientation and training of all personnel within the library including full- and part-time paid, and volunteer positions. With the Technology Manager, maintains up to date technology training manuals and training materials throughout the departments, including public facing instructional handouts on library applications, ILS and databases Trains staff and the public in the use of current technologies.
• Supervisory Duties: Supervises both librarian and specialist staff. Recommends candidates and participates in the hiring of department staff. Provides initial training and further on-the-job training as required. Evaluates performance and provides opportunity for improvement and professional development. Communicates regularly with staff to coordinate department needs. Maintains staff work schedule and submits timesheets.
• Professional Duties: Serves as a library liaison in consortium reference and technology/key user groups. Participates in department and staff meetings as well as library conferences and seminars. Communicates staff suggestions and needs to Administration and suggests changes in policy. Collects and maintains relevant statistics and assists in gathering feedback from the community. Assists administration in strategic planning and goal setting.
• Collections: Develops, evaluates, and maintains the Reference collection including online databases and print resources in conjunction with the library’s Collection Development Policy. Coordinates the adult non-fiction selection team.
• Public Service: Provides accurate, efficient, confidential, and friendly service to all library patrons. Maintains a welcoming and professional environment for patrons to work and study. Trains Reference staff to also give quality service.
• Programming and Outreach: Is part of the Programming Team led by the Head of Reader Services and Programming. As part of that team, develops educational trainings and technology programs for the public or directs reference staff to do same. Shares and coordinates planning of program and community outreach ideas with the Programming team. Maintains relationships with local schools, town departments and service organizations.
• Readers’ Advisory: Works with the Head of Reader Services to educate and train staff in RA skills for the non-fiction collection. As part of the team led by the Head of Reader Services works on reading-related programs, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person and by telephone.
• Ability to manage effectively.
• Ability to correctly identify patron or staff needs with a reference or reader’s advisory interview and then to provide resources or instruction in a timely manner.
• High facility for working with computers. Comfortable learning new software independently and able to instruct others in use of computer applications.
• Highly organized and detail oriented, ability to effectively meet deadlines.

Education and Training:

• Thorough knowledge of print, online reference and technology resources.
• Experience with CMS and website management
• Technology experience developing and conducting workshops for the public and staff
• Minimum of 3 years library experience in public services.
• Master’s degree in library & information science from an accredited library school

Physical Demands:

• Demonstrated ability to work pleasantly, professionally and effectively with the public
• Bending, stretching, lifting required
• May require standing for prolonged periods

Supervisory Responsibility

2 Reference Librarians, 1-2 Reference Specialists, Reference subs, library pages, volunteers

Evaluated By

Performance is evaluated annually by Library Director. A copy will be filed in the employee’s
personnel record

Salary

$57,591 to $81,853 in ten steps

Education and Training:

• Master’s degree in Library Science
• Minimum of three years of experience in a public library, preferably some in a Reference Department
• Two years of supervisory experience
• Experience with website management and CMS platforms

Closing Date: 

Open until filled

How to Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to Vickie Turcotte, Assistant Director, at [email protected] – we’ll start reviewing resumes on December 7 th and start interviewing on December 12 th . This job includes health, dental and life insurance benefits and is represented by the Chelmsford Federation of Teachers, Local. The Town of Chelmsford is an EEO/AA Employer.