Librarian I

Position Title: Librarian I
Posted On: March 4, 2025
Department: Seekonk Public Library, Town of Seekonk

Are you passionate about connecting people with library services and information resources? Seekonk Public Library is looking for a dynamic and dedicated part time Librarian I to join our team. If you enjoy working with the community and are dedicated to exceptional public service, this role could be a perfect fit for you.

What You’ll Do:

As a Librarian I, you'll provide top-notch services to patrons of all ages. You'll also:

• Offer reference assistance in both Adult and Youth Services departments
• Assist with library instruction, technology help and reader’s advisory
• Contribute to marketing and promotional efforts (an interest in this is a plus)
• Work collaboratively with other library staff to enhance user experience

Who You Are:

We’re looking for someone with a Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program and at least six months of public library experience. Applicants graduating with their MLIS degree within six (6) months of the start date and applicable previous library experience will also be considered.

The ideal candidate:

• Has a solid understanding of library operations, technology, and information services
• Can work independently while also being a great team player
• Provides friendly and proactive customer service to patrons
• Communicates effectively, both in writing and in person
• Thrives in a public service setting and enjoys helping others

Schedule & Salary:

This is a part-time (19 hours/week), non-exempt position and includes Tuesday evenings (4:00–8:00 PM), Wednesdays (12:00 – 8:00 PM) and every Saturday (9:00 AM–5:00 PM). Starting pay is $30.05 per hour, with scheduled increases. This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the Seekonk Public Library Employees Association, MLSA, AFT Mass

How to Apply:

Applications must be received by 12:00 PM on Friday, March 21, 2025. Please submit your resume and a cover letter electronically detailing your qualifications to:
Kathleen Hibbert, Library Director, Seekonk Public Library

Job Description

Join us at Seekonk Public Library and make a difference in our community!

Position Title: Librarian I                   Approved: 2011

Department: Public Library

Reports to: Associate Library Director

Summary of Duties: The Staff Librarian provides professional services in areas of reference, book selection, programming, bibliographic instruction, computer training, and staff and volunteer supervision related to continuance of core library services for adults, young adults, children and their families. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Supervision Required: Employee works under the general direction of the Library Director. Employee plans and prioritizes the majority of work independently, in accordance with standard practices and previous training. Employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods, or interpreting instructions, accordingly. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor. Work is generally reviewed only for technical adequacy, appropriateness of actions or decisions, and conformance with policy or other requirements; the methods used in arriving at the end result are not usually reviewed in detail.

Supervisory Responsibility: Employee serves as a work leader to library employees performing similar duties.

Confidentiality: Employee has access to confidential department records.

Accountability: Consequences of errors or poor judgment may include missed deadlines, adverse public relations, monetary loss, and jeopardize programs.

Judgment: The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting, and applying federal, state and local regulations.

Complexity: The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.

Work Environment: Employee performs work in a typical library setting with little or no physical demands or occupational risks.

Nature and Purpose of Relationships: Relationships are constantly with co-workers, the public, groups and/or individuals such as civic leaders, peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance, including departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation.

Occupational Risk: Duties of the job present little potential for injury. Risk exposure is similar to that found in typical library settings.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

1. Provides support and assistance to library staff and patrons in library services and systems and information technology.

2. Assists in the selection of reference materials, book selection, programming, bibliographic instruction of print and non-print information, computer training, and other library services.

3. Assumes broad responsibilities for specific areas of library services including adults, young adults, children, and families.

4. Supervises support staff and volunteers, provides information on library policies, activities, and special services.

5. Promotes, creates and maintains themed displays of library materials and special collections. 6. Establishes short-range plans and objectives for services and events within the scope of the library's strategic plan and municipal policies. Monitors and reports on progress in the implementation of the library plans.

7. Prepares information for the public to promote library activities, updates website information. 8. Participates in the preparation of grant applications for special library programs.

9. Provides outreach services to public schools, preschools, daycares, and organizations.

10. Instructs others in the use of library equipment including copy machine, LAN, WIFI, LCD projectors, printers, computers, scanners, and video equipment. Troubleshoots and resolves problems with equipment as needed.

11. Locates and requests materials via regional Interlibrary Loan service.

12. Assists in the maintenance, security and repair of library building and equipment.

13. Attends and participates in professional library meetings and associations. Attends continuing education workshops.

14. Performs duties of the Senior Librarian when he/she is absent.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

 Must have a Master's Degree and one to three (1-3) years of library experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements: Must have Professional Certification of Librarianship from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:

Knowledge:  Knowledge of library services and systems, information technology, reference materials selection and inventory, use of office equipment and computer programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and the internet.

Abilities: Instruct patrons and staff in the use of library systems, resources, and equipment. Evaluate and use a wide variety of reference materials and information technologies. Assess the needs of patrons and develop suitable library services and collection of books and materials. Plan and prioritize work, and establish effective working relationships with patrons and professionals.

Skills: Courteous and diplomatic customer service and communication skills, needs assessment skills, analytical skills.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Physical Skills: Duties require standing and walking more than 50% of the time, sit, bend, hear, reach, pull, and push in generally pleasant working conditions, but with numerous distractions and interruptions. Duties may involve intermittent exertion of moderate physical effort in position, lifting, or moving bulky equipment or materials weighing 30 to 60 pounds. Positions require good hand and eye coordination and finger dexterity.

Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a personal computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, sorting of papers.

Visual Skills: Position requires routine reading of documents and reports for understanding. Color vision is beneficial.

Salary : $30