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Technical Services Librarian

Town Of Bloomfield

General Description
This is very responsible administrative and technical librarian work involving the supervision of library technical and circulation services.

Work involves the responsibility for supervising the library's technical services staff, the circulation staff, coordinating with other library services and directing library automation activities. Duties include providing reference and reader's service work, special projects, materials selection, database management, and training staff.

This position is also invested with making the most difficult technical decisions involving the creation, use and management of machine-readable bibliographic records according to nationally accepted technical standards. The work requires that the employee have considerable knowledge, skill and ability in every phase of the public library field, particularly as it relates to library automation and technical services.

Supervision Received
Works under the direction of the Director of Library Services.

Examples Of Duties

• Directs and supervises the operations of the library circulation and technical services staff.
• Makes assignments to staff, trains and evaluates staff.
• Coordinates technical and circulation operations with other library services and functions.
• Provides reference and reader's service in the adult section.
• Assists in preparing the annual budget, particularly as it relates to technical services and needs.
• Reviews potential materials for acquisition and contributes to acquisition and collection development efforts.
• Recommends the adoption of bibliographic maintenance standards and authorities in an automated environment, develops procedures for processing all library materials.
• Represents the library on regional automation committees and serves as the library database manager and authority on automation issues.
• Meets with members of the library and others in order to coordinate activities and exchange information.
• Assists in drafting bibliographic maintenance and automation policies, as assigned.
• Acts for Director of Library Services in Director's absence. Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Good knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration as applied to a major library service.
• Good ability to make decisions in an environment of limited resources and competing claims.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public library functions.
• Thorough knowledge of contemporary bibliographic-maintenance standards and practice, including the Anglo-American cataloging rules, Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress subject headings, OCLC/MARC records, and library automation.
• Thorough knowledge of reference tools and procedures.
• Considerable ability to administer the bibliographic maintenance function and to supervise staff in technical and circulation operations.
• Considerable ability in oral and written communication.
• Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, associates, officials of other agencies and the general public.

Qualifications
A Masters Degree in Library Science from an accredited college or university plus three years of progressively responsible library administration experience including one year in technical services work, OR, an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting on the basis of one year of experience for each year of education.

Special Requirements
None.

Automation Librarian

Milford Library

Definition
Responsible for overseeing the Milford Library's automation and information technology needs, and providing professional reference services by assisting patrons in the location and use of various library materials and equipment. Under the direction of the Head Librarian and/or Assistant Head Librarian may assume responsibility for ongoing automation and reference projects, and supervision of assigned staff.

Illustrative Duties

• Responsible for the daily operation of the Library's Online Integrated Library System.
• Oversees system activity such as database backup, notice generation, and report generation.
• Acts as liaison between Head Librarian and/or Assistant Head Librarian and automation vendors.
• Oversees contract compliance, reviews vendor bills, recommends new hardware/software upgrades.
• Performs trouble shooting and appropriate system maintenance.
• Advises the Head Librarian/Assistant Head Librarian when repairs and maintenance are needed.
• Responsible for ongoing automation training and other related computer training for staff and public.
• Coordinates and communicates with system users regarding system activities, functions, problems, issues, etc.
• Oversees, supervises, and assists in entering library materials into the database in accordance with the MARC standard using established utilities such as OCLC.
• Receives and interprets requests from patrons, consults library materials and locates relevant information.
• Uses interlibrary loan or other appropriate referrals to aid and direct patrons.
• Responsible for overseeing applicable clerical procedures and for the training, supervision, and scheduling of assigned library staff.
• Accepts assignments and is qualified to work in any department within the Library organization.
• Assumes authority in the absence of the Head Librarian/Assistant Head Librarian in accordance with established Library policy.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Professional knowledge of library practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Online Integrated Library Systems, LANs, Telecommunications, and Personal Computer Software.
• Knowledge of and ability to be trained in the various technological advances in the library profession such as the utilization of computerized equipment and computer applications.
• Ability to deal with the public tactfully.
• Ability to work with fellow employees.
• Ability to supervise assigned personnel.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association is required.
• One year of professional library experience required; additional professional experience desired.
• One year's experience with an Online Integrated Library System and the OCLC system.

Civil Service Commission
City of Milford, CT
5/96

TOWN OF MONROE
JOB DESCRIPTION
CATALOGER

Department: Library

Position Overview: Under the supervision of the Adult Services Librarian, performs responsible and varied paraprofessional, technical, and clerical work for the Adult Department in the area of technical services.  Plans, organizes, and manages the proper functioning of the technical services division on a daily basis.  Also assists patrons in the use of library services, equipment, and facilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Understands and is able to perform all jobs related to library technical services, including but not limited to: cataloging and classifying library materials; maintaining an accurate, up-to-date database of library holdings; and physically processing items being added to and withdrawn from the collection
• Maintains consistency in the cataloging, classification, and physical processing of library materials
• Places orders for new adult and young adult books and audiovisual items, receives shipments, and checks in newly-acquired materials
• Repairs or returns damaged materials, as appropriate; prepares materials for shipment to the bindery
• Maintains the library's magazine and newspaper collection: submits approved orders and cancellations for all subscriptions, submits claims for undelivered issues, maintains an accurate list of all current periodical subscriptions received throughout the library, and checks in magazine and newspaper issues received by the Adult Department
• Maintains accurate lists of standing orders and continuations
• Monitors the daily operation of the online cataloging system, and acts as local liaison with the network on technical services matters
• Trains staff and volunteers assigned to Adult Department technical services; makes job assignments and verifies that assignments are carried out properly
• Makes schedules for staff and volunteers working in Adult Department technical services
• Maintains statistics on collection inventory and technical services activity, and provides periodic reports of same, as directed
• Recommends work procedures following professional standards; communicates with the Library Director and the Adult Services Librarian regarding technical services policies and procedures
• Inventories and reports technical services supply needs.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assists in selecting materials for acquisition and withdrawal, as assigned
• Provides patrons with general information on library services; assists and instructs patrons in using
  library services, equipment, and facilities
• Works at public service desks, as needed
• Assists in performing non-technical services work in the Adult and Children's Departments, as
  needed
• Attends professional and community meetings, workshops, and conferences, as required
• Supervises all library operations on occasion, as assigned
• Performs other duties, as assigned

Supervision Received: Receives direct supervision from the Adult Services Librarian and general supervision from the Library Director. 

Supervision Exercised: Under the direction of the Adult Services Librarian, supervises staff and volunteers assigned to Adult Department technical services

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understands the latest professional cataloging and classification rules, plus library processing conventions
• Possesses a solid general education
• Ability to organize work for efficient use of time
• Ability to word process and type with reasonable speed and exceptional accuracy
• Ability to keep records accurately
• Ability to interact courteously and effectively with the public, with the library's business contacts, and with other staff
• Ability to understand and interpret library policies, procedures, and rules
• Ability to represent the library at professional and community meetings
• Ability to work independently

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree required.  A minimum of 2 years' relevant experience working in a public library and familiarity with automated integrated library systems and online searching preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to move and/or lift materials up to 25 pounds
• Ability to push a loaded book truck weighing up to 300 pounds
• Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crawl, reach, climb, balance, and sit
• Ability to operate a keyboard at efficient speed and typical office equipment, including computer hardware
• Regularly required to talk and/or hear; use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms
• Vision and hearing at or correctable to "normal ranges"
• Occasionally required to attend off-site meetings
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions

Technical Service/Reference Librarian

New Fairfield Free Public Library

Basic Function
Manages Technical Services/Reference in conformity with library policies and procedures. Assumes responsibility for staff and building in the absence of the Director.

This is a salaried full-time position that reports to the Director.

Responsibilities

• Manages Technical/Reference Services in a manner that supports the overall goals of the library.
• Recommends and implements appropriate changes in technical policies and procedures.
• Oversees and executes Technical/Reference Services operations
• Supervises the cataloging, classification and processing of all library materials. Gives highest priority to materials on reserve.
• Maintains database of library's holdings
• Performs reference work as needed
• Compiles collection statistics monthly/Creates reports as needed
• Plans, organizes and implements special projects as needed, or as determined by Director

Personnel Management

• Participates in selecting personnel for Technical Services.
• Develops orientation programs, in-service training and continuing education opportunities for all staff who serve in Technical Services and Adult Circulation.
• Manages Technical Services/Adult Circulation staff/volunteer functions in accordance with established philosophy of library policy.
• Supervises and evaluates Technical Services/Adult Circulation staff with recommendations to the Director.
• Provides leadership in establishing effective working relationships and communication, ensuring high productivity and quality public service.
• Encourages initiative and creativity.

Library Program Management

• Recommends materials appropriate for adult collection.
• Keeps up to date with library policies and procedures.
• Maintains a working knowledge of contemporary issues, trends, and technology in the library profession.
• Participates in job related activities of professional and community organizations.
• Attends job related workshops and conferences.
• Assists in any library service as required in an emergency.

Property Management

• Ensures safe conditions for staff and public in Adult Library.
• Responds to building emergencies and takes appropriate action.
• Education And Experience Required.
• Completion of accredited Masters Degree in Library Science.

Revised 9/95

Head of Technical Services

Public Library

General Statement of Responsibilities
Responsible for all activities related to materials acquisition, processing and classification

Responsibilities

• Manages Library operation in the absence of the Executive Director, the Head of Adult Services, or the Coordinator of Youth Services.
• Catalogs Library materials
• Manages the Library's interlibrary Loan service
• Represents the Library to Libraries Online, operating as Project Manager responsible for all technical aspects of the Ameritech automation system.
• Selects Adult materials in cooperation with the Heads of Circulation and Adult Services
• Orders Library materials and interfaces with all materials vendors
• Works at service desks as needed
• Other tasks as assigned

Necessary qualifications
ALA accredited MLS preferred, with experience in Technical Services. The Head of Technical Services should have a thorough knowledge of library issues and techniques, and must be able to work independently and accurately. In addition, the Head of Technical Services must possess the interpersonal and communication skills that will enable them to represent the Library to vendors and library consortia.

ADA concerns
The Head of Technical Services' position may be performed by persons with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities. Adaptive technology may be used to communicate with others, although the Head of Technical Services must be able to communicate by telephone to work with vendors and consortia. Physical challenges will be posed by the tasks listed at each public service desk.

Assistant Head of Technical Services

Russell Library

Position Definition
Plans, organizes, and supervises the services and activities in the technical services division, including cataloging, classification, and maintenance of the collection; assists and participates in the upgrading and maintenance of library database systems.

General Duties

• Receives oral or written direction from Head of Technical Services.
• Plans and organizes work according to standard procedures, special events, and regular library schedule.
• Establishes task priorities within working unit.
• Assigns regular and daily tasks to professional, paraprofessional and clerical staff.
• Supervises purchasing, receiving, processing and classification of books and materials.
• Confers with supervisor in developing short/long term planning for technical services department.
• Receives new collection material, i.e. books, documents, periodicals, etc.
• Assigns appropriate Dewey Decimal Classification number and LC Headings to print and non-print materials.
• Performs original cataloging as required.
• Uses library database system and participates in related bibliographic activities.
• Provides training and supervision of the various automated activities within the department.
• Develops reading, reference and research materials through recommendation of purchase of books, materials and equipment.
• Leads in maintenance of specific sections of library collection, including weeding out obsolete or damaged materials and replacing same.
• Assists supervisor in interviewing applicants for employment as library staff.
• Plans and organizes workshops involving the technical services unit.
• Provides supervision and training to librarians, assistants, clerks and pages.
• Performs routine library duties, including reference tasks as needed.
• Prepares statistical and narrative reports of some complexity for supervisor.
• Reports work accomplished to Department Head.

Additional Duties

• Assumes responsibility for Technical Services unit in the absence of the Head.
• Reviews professional publications and other sources for selection of books, periodicals, and other materials.
• Attends meetings and participates in professional library organizations.

Supervised By
Receives general supervision from the Head of Technical Services.

Qualifications Profile

• The skills and knowledge required would be acquired with a Master's Degree in Library Science and four years of progressively responsible library experience in technical services division.
• Ability to apply principles of library science to solve practical problems in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to supervise
• A working knowledge of supervisory methods, including work delegation, scheduling, evaluating performance and maintaining morale.
• A working knowledge of computer applications for library services.
• Ability to work effectively with library staff and library patrons.
• Ability to deal cooperatively with others.
• Ability to prepare concise and clear oral or written reports.

License or Certificate
Not Applicable.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Head Cataloger

Wilton Library

Summary of Responsibilities:
Is responsible for the assignment, to all adult print materials, of classification numbers and additional descriptive headings according to Dewey decimal classification rules and Library of Congress subject headings.

Education and Training Required:
Holds a Master of Library Science degree from an accredited university or college. Attends appropriate continuing education workshops and conferences to improve skills and professional knowledge. Reads professional journals to remain current on cataloging issues.

Reports to:
Head of Technical Services

Responsible to:
Library Director

Duties/Responsibilities:
Assigns Dewey decimal classification numbers to new adult print materials by: reviewing cataloging in publication(C.I.P.) Data for consistency with Wilton Library classification - modifying where necessary and assigning to our materials; doing original classification of materials by using Dewey decimal classification.

Assigns appropriate local subject headings to adult print materials where required and evaluates/modifies standard catalog headings for all adult print materials.

Maintains consistency in adult subject headings and classification numbers supervising and carrying out revisions as needed.

Assists Audio Visual Manager in determining appropriate classification numbers for those materials.

Attends monthly staff meetings and monthly training sessions (the latter, as appropriate).

Performs other duties as required to insure easy access to the collection through its consistent and appropriate classification.

Hours:
Part-time position (up to 10 hours per week). Additional hours as Adult Reference Librarian.

revised 8/02

Head of Technical Services

Woodbridge Town Library

Position Objectives
Develops, administers and coordinates all activities of the Technical Services Department. Performs managerial duties related to library operations, staff and activities.

Reporting Relationships
Reports to the Library Director and works with the LION Project Director. Supervises technical services staff and any volunteers that work in this area.

Typical Duties

• Catalogs all library materials.
• Knowledge of AACR2, LC Subject Headings, Dewey Classification and MARC formats.
• Responsible for on-line cataloging using LION standards and criteria.
• Responsible for entering orders into the Dynix Acquisitions Module.
• Updates holdings records; attaches holdings records.
• Trains and supervises all technical services staff and volunteers.
• Delegates and oversees technical aspects of cataloging activity and the processing of all materials.
• Responsible for the withdrawal of all library materials.
• Coordinates cataloging activities with adult and children's services. Decides if gift materials meet library standards for inclusion into the collection.
• Performs duties in a climate-controlled environment. Routinely exposed to computer screen. May be required to lift light to medium weights, e.g. books and audio-visual materials.
• Attends LION Bibliographic Committee meetings and deals with LION regarding cataloging issues and incorrect records.
• Prepares quarterly Technical Services reports for the Director.
• Responsible for staffing the Information Desk 3 to 6 hours per week plus filling in to cover vacations and absences.
• Participates in professional organizations and attends continuing education workshops and meetings.

Desired Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Graduate degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited school. Two to three years cataloging experience working in a public library. Supervisory experience preferred. Requirement may be adjusted to local factors. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with superiors, subordinates and the general public. Ability to lay out, assign and supervise the work of subordinates. Knowledge of automated circulation systems. Knowledge of print and online information sources.

8/99