Coordinator of Reference &Public Services, Belmont Public Library, (Belmont, MA)

Posted January 11, 2024

Belmont Librarians Association

Grade 15
Belmont Public Library
Starting Hourly Rate: $39.32

Applicants must submit the required Town of Belmont application form, resume and cover letter to
the Town’s Human Resources Department by the closing date of February 9, 2024.

The Belmont Public Library is seeking a creative, enthusiastic, organized, and hardworking Librarian to develop, direct, and review the library’s adult information and public service functions including reference, outreach, and teen services. This is a full time 35 hour per week position, not only handling the public service functions, but also supervising the reference department and assisting Library Administration in overseeing day-to-day operations. The Coordinator of Reference & Public Services manages the Library on a rotation with other Coordinators Library Administration is out of the building. On nights and weekends, there is a rotating Person in Charge.

The Coordinator of Reference & Public Services plans, organizes, assigns and manages work activities of department staff to realize the department work goals, ensures consistent application of department and library policies, procedures and guidelines. This position maintains current knowledge of reference materials, research methods, online database s and internet and oversees adult fiction, non-fiction, reference and local history collection development. In addition, the Coordinator of Reference & Public Services protects the library brand and drives consistency of promotional materials across the library. This position is responsible for managing all aspects of the volunteer program including identifying and planning volunteer opportunities as well as recruiting and training of volunteers to perform the jobs. Works with other community organizations and town departments to plan library programs. In addition, this position assists the Library Administration on major reporting efforts to the Town and Mass Board of Library Commissioners.

Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited school, three years to five years (minimum) public library experience that includes automated library systems, with two years supervisory experience preferred. Knowledge of adult literature and programming, principles and practices of library work and use of library resources and information technology required.

This is a full time 35 hour per week position covered under a collective bargaining agreement with the Belmont Librarian’s Association. The starting hourly rate is $39.32 and qualifies for the Town’s comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental and life insurance, paid vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave. This position also qualifies for the Town’s pension plan.

Please consider coming to join us in our work in Belmont as we prepare for the opening of our brand new library in 2025.

How to Apply

Applications/Resumes accepted at the Town of Belmont, HR Department, 455 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA 02478, or [email protected] or fax 617-993-2741 by February 9th, 2024.
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Application Process

All applicants are required to complete a Town application form, available from the Town’s
website, www.belmont-ma.gov, by emailing [email protected], calling (617)
993-2740 or by visiting the Human Resources Department at the Belmont Town Hall.
Applicants may attach resumes to the Town application form as additional information but
cannot use this in lieu of completing the required form.

All full-time and some part-time employees will need to complete a pre-employment physical
and drug-screening examination. Certain positions will also require a CORI criminal
background screening. The Town reserves the right to modify the application deadline
and/or accept applications after the deadline in order to best serve the interest of the
community.

After the submission deadline, the Human Resources Department and a review committee
will review all completed applications and will select the most highly-qualified respondents
for interviews. The Town will acknowledge receipt of completed applications that it receives
and will only further contact individuals who the Town selects to interview.
Individuals who need accommodations in order to participate in this process should contact
the Town’s Human Resources Department. Please address all questions regarding the
Town’s hiring process to:
Human Resources Department
Town of Belmont
455 Concord Avenue
Belmont, Massachusetts 02478
(617) 993-2740
[email protected]

PURPOSE OF POSITION
The purpose of this position is to develop, direct and review the library’s public service
functions, including reference, outreach, and teen services. The Coordinator supervises all
full time and part time Reference Librarians including the Community Outreach Librarian,
and Young Adult Librarian.

This work is performed under the direction of Library Administration, being the Library
Director and Assistant Library Director. This role assists the Library Administration in
overseeing day-to-day operations. In the absence of Library Administration, the Coordinator
may serve as Acting Library Director on a rotating basis or as circumstances dictate with the
Coordinator of Technology & Technical Services and the Coordinator of Children’s
Services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as
exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Plans, organizes, assigns and manages the work activities of department staff to
realize the department’s work goals, to ensure the consistent application of
department and library policies, procedures and guidelines, and to provide
accurate, efficient and friendly services. Trains and supervises department staff
and new employees. Identifies opportunities and needs for relevant staff training
throughout the year. Prepares reference desk schedules and timesheets. When
vacancies occur in the Reference Department, the Coordinator works with
Library Administration in the recruitment process; position description
updating, planning, interviewing, and recommending selection for new staff.
Works with Library Administration on major reporting efforts to the Town of
Belmont and Mass Board of Library Commissioners, including but not limited
to: the annual town report, budget narrative, Annual Report Information Survey,
and Financial Reports.
Oversees Adult fiction, non-fiction, reference, and local history collection
development. Analyzes collection and patron/community needs and conducts
research to order materials and weed collection. Monitors budget expenditures
for acquisitions.
Responsible for eResources and database collection development as well as
vendor negotiations. Works with staff in gathering relevant statistics and usage
data, along with new product evaluation, and removal recommendations for
annual collection review process.
Participates in on-going training for library technology and trends; works with
Coordinator of Technology & Technical Services and Technology Librarian to
evaluate and implement new technologies and strategies for delivering services
and materials to the public.
Monitors and evaluates staff performance, providing ongoing feedback and
coaching throughout the year. Carries out annual performance reviews for full
time department staff. Evaluates staff performance against core job
responsibilities outline in job descriptions. Identifies training and development
needs for staff including jointly creating targeted goals as appropriate.
Maintains current knowledge of reference materials, research methods, online
databases and Internet use. Maintains knowledge of technology developments
and general library automation and electronic services provided through library
networks and information services. May make administrative and other
decisions in the absence of Library Administration . Serve as designated “Person in
Charge” of the library as part of regular rotation.
Receives and evaluates requests for information. Searches databases to find
information; advises readers regarding appropriate materials; interprets and
applies library policies and procedures; instructs patrons in the use of library
equipment and information technology including online catalog and databases,
Internet, personal devices and others; assists patrons in selecting materials, with
bibliographic searches and related matters; processes interlibrary loan and
network requests.
Oversees all other Reference Room functions like, reserving of meeting rooms,
museum passes, patron computer usage, materials, and other tasks.
Prepares and submits monthly reports to Library Administration.
May submit grant applications at the local, network, region, state and national
levels. Work with Library Administration to determine which opportunities
relevant to projects, long-range goals, and strategic planning efforts.

OUTREACH TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Promotes the library brand and ensures consistency of promotional materials
across the library. Trains and educates staff on branding efforts and how best to
promote and internalize the library’s brand, including language, logo, font style,
signage choices, digital marketing and more.
Plans and coordinates library programs in collaboration with community
organizations and town departments; Supervises and collaborates with
Community Outreach Librarian and/or Library Administration to propose,
plan and promote large scale programming such as One Book, One Belmont, as
well as special events in response to patron and community requests and needs.
Represents the library to other agencies, groups and organizations. Attends and
participates in Network Committee, library and other meetings.
Coordinates the volunteer program; identifies and plans volunteer opportunities;
recruits, screens and administers the training of the volunteers to perform
various job activities; develops clear guidelines for volunteer intake. Plans,
organizes, trains, assigns and directs the work activities of volunteers to realize
the library work goals, to ensure the consistent application of department and
library policies, procedures and guidelines, monitors the volunteers work
performance to establish training needs and to recommend discharge from the
program. Responsible for updating volunteer responsibilities to conform to
policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited school, three to five years public
library experience that includes automated library systems, with two years supervisory
experience preferred. Knowledge of adult literature and programming, principles and
practices of library work and use of library resources and information technology required.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
Data Utilization:
Requires the ability to perform mid to upper-level data analysis including the ability to
coordinate, strategize, systemize and correlate, using discretion in determining time, place
and/or sequence of operations within an organizational framework. Requires the ability to
implement decisions based on such data, and overseeing the execution of these decisions.
Human Interaction:
Requires the ability to provide first line supervision and customer service. Ability to
persuade, convince, lead, manage, coach, develop, influence, inform, and train others. Ability
to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures and
standards to specific situations.
Requires the ability to communicate orally and in writing with patrons, library staff,
volunteers, job applicants and other librarians.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials Utilization
Requires the ability to operate a variety of library and office equipment such as computer
terminal, typewriter, telephone, fax machine, calculator/adding machine, computer printer
and photocopier.

Verbal Aptitude:
Requires the ability to utilize a variety of reference, descriptive and advisory data and
information such as book reviews, professional journals, budget statements, purchase
requests, time sheets, schedules, statistical reports, meeting minutes/agendas, long-range plans, computer software operating manuals, policies, procedures, guidelines and non-
routine correspondence.

Mathematical Aptitude:
Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate
percentages, and decimals; and may require the ability to utilize principles of fractions
and/or interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning:
Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems such as supervision, managing,
leading, teaching, directing, planning, coordinating and controlling. Ability to exercise
independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and
techniques to problem resolution.
Situational Reasoning:
Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in
situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program or multiple
programs.

ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability:
Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which
may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling and objects weighing five to ten
pounds. Push and pull book trucks weighing 40 pounds. Tasks may involve extended
periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Sensory Requirements:
Requires the ability to recognize and identify individual characteristics of shapes and sounds
associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
Environmental Factors:
Tasks are regularly performed in safe and comfortable surroundings without exposure to
adverse environmental conditions.
The Town of Belmont, Massachusetts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town will provide reasonable accommodations
to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current
employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.