Library Associate I - Outreach Programming Specialist

Work Schedule:
19 hours per week
Must be able to work daytimes hours and occasional evening and weekend hours

Pay Rate:
$21,340 annually plus benefits

Apply By:
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Job Summary:

Operates mobile library services vehicles and provides a variety of public services, including programming, technology assistance, information, and circulation, to meet the needs of the community; works in Outreach Services Department under general supervision; performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Operates outreach vehicles, or a replacement county van to provide mobile library services, including storytime, reference, and circulation.
• Develops, presents, and evaluates storytimes and programs promoting and modeling early literacy effective practices including set up and tear down.
• Maintains and incorporates knowledge of current early literacy and educational trends.
• Develops and performs professional puppet shows.
• Participates in creation, revision, planning, presentation, training, and evaluation of a variety of workshops and programs for children, professionals, educators, parents, and other community members. Submits program ideas for approval.
• Greets customers and responds to information, circulation, reference, and reader’s advisory requests using model reference and reader’s advisory behaviors.
• Maintains current knowledge of reference materials and search tools to assist customers.
• Analyzes customers’ questions to decide search strategy and uses appropriate information resources to meet customer needs.
• Communicates library policies and procedures to customers as appropriate.
• Performs office administration, circulation, and technical services duties, including maintaining programming supplies.
• Uses current knowledge of Library related technology to assist and instruct customers and perform basic troubleshooting.
• Manages multiple customers simultaneously while providing exemplary customer service.
• Weeds, replaces, and adds materials to circulating and professional outreach collections as directed and according to outreach and system guidelines, suggests additions to collection area.
• Creates and maintains mobile library displays.
• Serves as mobile librarian-in-charge on each trip; responsibilities include but are not limited to opening and closing activities, resolving customer complaints, handling vehicle and security issues and communicating necessary information to supervisor.
• Participates in meetings, teams/committees/workgroups, outreach activities and training opportunities, as appropriate.
• Represents CCPL to the public, including schools, senior groups, community events, and seminars.
• Performs daily maintenance check on vehicle for brakes, tires, horn, back-up horn, windshield wipers, lights, and gasoline.
• Operates vehicle according to MVA regulations.
• Monitor inclement or hazardous weather and other factors impacting safe operation of the vehicle in consultation with supervisor.
• May oversee and coordinate a departmental function, such as, outreach materials management, and program scheduling.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to act as a representative of CCPL to the public.
• Ability to plan, develop, present, evaluate, and modify a variety of programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with community organizations, including schools, childcare providers, etc.
• Dramatic skills, such as puppetry or storytelling.
• Ability to train others.
• Knowledge of CCPL policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ability to maintain Maryland Library Associate continuing education requirements.
• Commitment to excellent internal and external customer service.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of reference and reader’s advisory services.
• Current knowledge of information sources and search tools.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of collection development and maintenance.
• Proficient with relevant computer equipment and associated software applications.
• Ability to drive outreach vehicles.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with a clean record in accordance with the Carroll County Government Vehicle Guidelines.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Requires 90 contact hours of approved in-service training through Library Associate Training Institute (LATI) within first 2 years of employment or 9 hours of formal academic course work in library science.
• Valid class C driver’s license and a clean driving record.