Reference Librarian Librarian - Idaho State Historical Society
Open for Recruitment: August 20, 2018 - September 5, 2018
Announcement # 02918081386
Salary Range: $19.35 per hour -Plus Competitive Benefits!
Location(s): Boise
The Idaho State Historical Society is looking for a
Reference Librarian!
The Idaho State Historical Society is an extraordinary system of cultural and historic resources comprised of the Idaho State Museum, Idaho State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, and Old Idaho Penitentiary and Historic Sites Program. We seek to inspire, enrich and engage all Idahoans by leading the state in preserving, sharing, and using history and cultural resources relevant to today to inform and influence the future.
The Reference Librarian is responsible for managing the Merle Wells Research Center & Reading Room at the Idaho State Archives (ISA) and overseeing on-site and off-site reference service in coordination with archives staff. Incumbent is responsible for ensuring library and archival best practices are followed in accordance with the American Library Association and the Society of American Archivists.
The Reference Librarian works Tuesday through Saturday.
General Responsibilities:
Reference
- Provides reference and research assistance to patrons who visit the research center using catalogs, finding-aids, databases, genealogical sources, and personal knowledge of holdings of Idaho State Archives.
- Performs specialized reference work involving determining the location of specific information in large collections of government records, personal papers, and other collections.
- Apply professional judgment to complex policy and procedures to fulfill a variety of information requests.
- Provide leadership in the delivery of Reference Services and Outreach for the Research Center and Lincoln Legacy Exhibit.
- Analyze reference work processes and procedures; make and evaluate improvements; and provide technical assistance to others.
- Oversee reference service for Research Center for on-site and off-site reference requests.
- Implement and maintain best practices in management of Reference Services in accordance with the American Library Association and the Society of American Archivists.
- Oversee the education and compliance of Research Center customers on Reading Room Policies and Procedures as part of the reference interview process.
- Provides reference and research assistance to patrons contacting the division by mail, e-mail, or telephone using the tools described above.
- Coordinates the answering of mail, e-mail, and telephone reference requests by overseeing the distribution of correspondence equitably among available staff.
- Monitors responses and in-person assistance by other staff for thoroughness, timeliness, and consistency.
- Maintains the public access computers home page to assist researchers in identifying ISHS and/or other web-based tools of use to our patrons.
- Provides tours, orientation sessions, and classes on general and specific topics to encourage the use of ISHS research materials.
- Prepares the reference desk schedule and solicits assistance from non-reference staff to fill in as needed.
- Serves as the initial contact for researchers who have complaints and concerns about their reference experiences and has responsibility for trying to resolve problems if at all possible.
- Instills in reference department staff the agency’s expectations of a high level of customer friendly service and addresses any concerns with individual employees.
Outreach
- Promote access to collections and market use of the Idaho State Archives Research Center and Lincoln Legacy Exhibit through outreach, public education programs, community partnerships, social media, exhibitions, site-hosted events and other opportunities when appropriate.
- Maintain and update archives section of agency website in accordance with agency guidelines.
- Provide support to agency public programs and outreach efforts as assigned.
Collections Management for Research Center
- Oversee Collections Management of the Research Center holdings including the accessioning, cataloging and technical processing of materials including books, microfilm newspapers, Journals, and miscellaneous Vertical File materials.
- Manage the collection development of holdings for the research center.
- Suggests items to be acquired that are consistent with the collection policy but that would improve customer service and/or new research interests.
Supervision
- Supervise library assistants, interns and volunteers.
- Establish goals for section staff, monitors their work and prepares performance evaluations
- Oversee the training of reference staff on the compliance of Reading Room Policies and Procedures
- Revises position descriptions as needed.
- Establishes a positive work environment and promotes effective communication with and between staff.
- Sets priorities for cataloging of research center materials for Library Assistant 3.
- Evaluates library assistance projects to ensure alignment with best practices, SMART Goals and Agency Strategic Plan.
Minimum Qualifications:
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Possession of a Master’s degree in Library Science
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Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating a library project, program or service
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Experience in librarianship, including applying current (last two years) library trends and technology
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Experience supervising others
Desirable Qualification:
- Experience providing reference services for historical and genealogical research, using special collections such as governmental records, manuscripts, photographs, and maps
Examination:
The examination is a rating of your education and experience. Enter your responses to the questions in the spaces provided in the examination. You must have the minimum level of experience or education described for each question addressing minimum requirements to qualify for this position. Scoring will be based on the information you provide. A minimum rating of 63 is needed to pass this examination. Notification of your test results will be available online when the review process is complete.
To preview the exam, click on the “Preview Exam” link at the bottom of this page (you will not be able to take the exam from this screen). If you wish to take the exam, click on any Apply Online button and follow the instructions provided.
How to Apply:
Click on any Apply Online button and follow the instructions provided to complete the Application Checklist and Exam for this position.
When updating your online application information, please select:
When updating your online application information, you must complete all items in the Application Checklist (this includes: Personal Information, Education, Work History, Cities, Agencies and Job Type/Shift). Without this information, your name cannot be referred to the hiring agency.
Thank you for your interest in employment with the Idaho State Historical Society!
Link to original job posting: https://www4.labor.idaho.gov/DHR/ATS/StateJobs/jobannouncement.aspx?announcement_no=02918081386
