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CITY OF LARKSPUR PART-TIME HOURLY WORKER

ASSIGNMENT: ON-CALL LIBRARIAN

Up to $30.00 per hour Maximum of 960 Hours Per Year

The City is not actively hiring part-time staff at this time but encourages prospective candidates to submit an application. Applications will be accepted for this position on a continuous basis with the intent of creating a list of qualified candidates for future hire.  Please do not contact the Human Resources Department about the status of your application unless it has been more than 3 months.

On-Call Librarian assignment is classified as a part-time hourly worker. Under general direction, performs a variety of professional library work which may include: reference services; services for children and youth; or other special services; and performs related work as assigned. Employees in this category do not receive any benefits except those that are required by law.

This is a part-time hourly, at-will position. Part-time hourly workers do not receive benefits, except as required by law. Job description and pay under review. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The On-Call Librarian provides professional library services including reference, reader advisory, materials selection to meet the general information needs of the public and performs related work as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

This position reports to the Library Director. This position has no direct reports and works under the supervision of staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (May include but are not limited to the following:)

• Provide professional reference and readers' advisory services; instruct patrons in the use of library resources, including reference materials, digital downloads, databases, catalogs and other online resources and the interlibrary loan system
• Conduct library programming for all ages
• Communicate policies and procedures to staff and library patrons
• Provide customer service at reference and circulation desk
• Troubleshoot computer-related issues
• Troubleshoot and resolve a variety of issues related to acquisitions, circulation, and reference materials
• Work on special projects assigned by the Library Director
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends in technology, reference services, and librarianship

REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of

• Thorough knowledge of current professional library “best practices” principles, methods, and materials
• Knowledge of library reference materials, automated systems, applications, and tools of research
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations pertaining to  library science

• Knowledge of Larkspur library policies and procedures as they relate to library operations
• Knowledge of service needs and issues, general culture of the public library community
• Knowledge of customer service techniques and approaches
• General knowledge of training techniques to educate patrons
• Knowledge of procedures, methods and techniques of reference, research, classification, indexing, cataloging, and organization of library materials

Skill and Ability in

• Proficient in use of computerized library information systems and tools, such as web browsers, web OPAC, Integrated Library Systems; and in the use of Microsoft Office suite; able to learn and utilize new technology
• Proficient in performing online and electronic searches to gather data and compile information
• Ability to perform effective library reference, readers’ advisory duties, and other professional level library work
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
• Ability to make procedural decisions and judgments
• Skill in analyzing information logically and creatively to identify problems, draw valid conclusions, and develop effective solutions to operational and customer service problems
• Ability to create, to compose, and edit written materials
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities, conflict resolution and customer service

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

This assignment requires sufficient experience and education related to providing professional library services. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is possession of a Master’s Degree in Library Science or similar curriculum from an American Library Association accredited educational program. In addition, at least two years of professional experience in a library setting is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

This Assignment requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The employee will occasionally be required to climb or balance or crawl. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to video display terminals. The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in data entry and preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The employee may lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. The employee may be exposed to dust and/or other allergens.

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB PDF BELOW.

Examples Of Duties:

• Provide a fun, safe, and stimulating environment for children of parents participating in Library programs and services.
• Ensure the health, safety and well-being of children, at any of the Library program child care locations, by providing close supervision of all activities.
• Plan age-appropriate activities while incorporating numeracy and literacy strategies and adhering to the established program schedule.
• Promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
• Maintain a clean child care and education environment.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with parents/guardians regarding the learning and behavior of children. 
• Work with parents/guardians to meet children's needs when children require care outside of staff scope, such as changing diapers and feeding.
• Maintain friendly, positive and professional relationships with staff and families in the program. 
• Adhere to safety guidelines and generate all necessary correspondence and incident/accident documentation.
• Maintain program records as directed.
• Actively participate in all trainings, meetings and special events, as necessary.
• Maintain First Aid, and Child/Infant CPR Certifications. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• A high school diploma or equivalent; coursework in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education or related field preferred.  
• A minimum of two years of child care experience is required.

Licensure/Certification:
Possess and maintain a valid Child/Infant CPR and First Aid certifications.

Knowledge of:

• Child development stages and principles.
• Child care best practices. 
• Developmentally appropriate activities for children of varying ages.
• Methods for managing groups of children and effective management of children's behavior. 
• Safety standards, program procedures, and guidelines related to the care and supervision of children. 

Skill/Ability to:

• Engage a group of children in a variety of types of play, including songs, story times, and hands-on learning activities.
• Observe, make recommendations and change approaches in order to meet different children's needs.
• Communicate effectively with diverse and multi-cultural individuals including young children, caregivers and parents.
• Exhibit professional work habits including reliability, dependability, flexibility, creativity and demonstration of enthusiasm.
• Exercise excellent judgment regarding the care of children. 
• Work flexible, varying shifts, including evenings, weekdays and weekends.

APPLICATION/EXAMINATION
This is an extra-help assignment. Anyone may apply. 

Final Filing Date: Continuous

If you are interested in being considered for this position, the following materials must be electronically submitted via email in a Word or PDF format:

• Resume
• A cover letter which includes your responses to the following questions:
  1. Why are you interested in supporting young children?
  2. What makes you a good candidate for this position? 

Please include the words "Early Child Care and Education Specialist – Extra Help" in the subject line of email submission. All submitted materials should be in a Word or PDF format. Submittals that do not include all required documents (Resume and Responses to the Supplemental Questions) will not be considered. Applications are not accepted online. 

Menlo Park Library seeks qualified candidates for on-call librarian positions in both the Adult and Youth Services divisions.

These extra-help, non-benefitted positions work on-call providing excellent customer service while performing a variety of professional library duties. Those duties could include reference, reader’s advisory, collection development and other tasks at a public information desk; leading events, programs or book clubs; digital literacy training for the public; and performing related work as assigned at the Menlo Park Main or Belle Haven branch library. A can-do attitude, a positive outlook, efficiency, approachability, and responsiveness to internal and external needs are all essential traits. Having a passion for libraries and a library's role in bridging technology gaps is required. Knowledge about technology, teaching and learning, and diversity is a must. Creativity, innovation, and flexibility are key to providing the quality of service our community deserves.

Schedules vary based on the needs of the library system. Both Menlo Park Library locations are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Selected candidates from this applicant pool may be assigned to work at either location. On-call librarian positions are scheduled for less than 20 hours per week and may not exceed 980 hours within a twelve (12) month period.

TYPICAL TASKS include, but are not limited to:

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment to provide service to our library users within general policy and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Provide assistance to and advise patrons of all age groups in the effective use of the Library’s collection, facilities and services; demonstrate the use of library resources, tools, equipment, and electronic reference sources; assist with digital downloads and respond to difficult or technical questions as they relate to the use of electronic resources. Compile subject bibliographies
• Answer readers’ advisory and general reference questions from telephone, webpage and in-person queries by accessing a variety of print and non-print resources, including electronic resources
• Develop an assigned area of the Library collection; review and analyze collection use; recommend books and materials for purchase based on patron needs and according to the variety of patron ages, abilities, education, interests, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Participate in the preparation of exhibits and the organization and presentation of a variety of programs or events for library patrons
• Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position

Please see click on the Job Description URL for full details about this position.

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB PDF BELOW.