REFERENCE SPECIALIST

Job Summary

Tasked with the responsibility to the public and city staff for assisting with research, locating information, and providing information on literacy education. Specialist is responsible for collection development within specifically designated areas. Administers the Library's 3d Printing Program. Coordinates, administers, and implements library programs and the lending and borrowing of books from distant libraries.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintain regular and prompt attendance; physically present to work.
• Performs after hours work as required (nights and weekends).
• Assist with emergency response as needed by city hall and local EOC.
• Speaks with and assists any patrons visiting the library in locating information of all types in all different forms and from a multitude of resources.
• Manages the library's inter-library loan program (books loaned to and from distant libraries). Work with interlibrary loan online software. Perform such duties as: verify ILL items, refer ILL requests, reply to ILL requests, answer questions, and provide technical support to patrons and library staff.
• Creates, plans, manages, and implements programming in response to the needs of our community.
• Manage social media.
• Manages various community-centric projects.
• Coordinates the Summer and Winter Reading Programs.
• Responsible for the development and execution of both existing library programming and creation of new library programming.
• Remove low quality materials from collections and help to maintain a budget on new material. Assists in the collection development process by evaluating, suggesting, and weeding materials.
• Plan a collection development strategy and budget.
• Creates, plans, manages, and implements programming in response to the needs of our community.
• Assist patrons and any inquiry regarding technology. Instructs patrons on use of library's computers, devices and e-resources including databases and downloadable. Stays current on the use of city and library resources.
• Administers the Library's 3D objects as requested by city staff and officials, and some computer programming.
• Specialists are also responsible for marketing library programming within social media, the Library Website, press releases, and production of promotional flyers to attract attention and inform the public of events or programs.
• Tracks and reports the statistics of library programming. Compiles library program statistics, prepares reports, maintains program data, and performs other administrative duties.
• Maintains, organizes, and grows the quality of library's materials.
• Performs all similar or related duties (shelf reading, inventory, etc.) and is expected to cross train within all departments and serve as s a backup. Will cross-train and provide back-up coverage for other department positions.
• Tasked with a variety of very different duties which sometimes follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines, and other times do not.
• Will be required to speak publicly and lead programming from time to time.
• Relationships with co-workers and public involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations, or guidelines to render service, plan, or coordinate efforts, or resolve operating problems.
• Weed out older and low-quality materials, remove them from the collection.
• Evaluates donated items for their informational value and inclusion with the collection.
• Maintains Reference Division.
• Participates in library SRP committees and makes displays for SRP display cases.
• Assists with monthly reports.
• Calls for assistance with building maintenance problems.
• May be tasked with any special assignments as assigned by the Public Services Supervisor.
• Required to perform all similar or related duties as assigned.
• Explains library regulations and procedures and resolves basic customer issues.
• Reads daily organizational communications from internet, e-mail, newsletters and print announcements. Stays current on all library services, programs, and events throughout the library.
• Assist with development and maintenance of community calendar of events.
• Assists with maintenance and monitoring of library social media sites.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

• Must have High School diploma, or equivalent (GED).
• A minimum of One (1) of related work experience to perform such job.
• Applicant must pass pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen at City's expense.
• Applicant must have current valid Class "C" Driver's License and be insurable.
• Must successfully complete Emergency Management and Incident Command Training within first three months of hire date.
• Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred.
• 3d printing, basic website design.
• Familiar with or willing to be trained for collection development, information literacy, programming management, and other library functions – regardless of other duties.
• Special committee work including but not limited to webpage or other interdivisional task or focus committees that may be created from time to time.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

• Information literacy.
• Programming management.
• Collection development and how library system runs.
• Knowledge of where to find information in a variety of print and non-print tools, including almanacs, indices, databases, and reference volumes.
• Advanced working knowledge of computers and software programs.
• Dewey decimal system.
• Confidentiality is required as position will have access to some confidential information obtained from staff and public.
• Discernment needed to locate, select, and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation, or guideline.
• Knowledge of sources to find information in a variety of print and non-print tools.
• Proficient skills in computers, mathematics, recordkeeping, clerical, written and oral communication.
• Minimal knowledge of operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment.
• Typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Occasional walking, standing, and stooping.
• Operation of 3d Printing equipment can be dangerous and should take care to follow all safe use instructions.
• Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting.
• Involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements.
• Occasional lifting, moving, or positioning objects up to 30lbs.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned to this position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

Any applicant selected for employment with the City of Weslaco must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing, references, background checks, and credential verification.