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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAssociate Librarian Mar. 2026 City of Port Townsend Job Description Associate Librarian Classification title: Associate Librarian Working title: Associate Librarian Department: Community Services – Library Union: Teamsters General Government FLSA status: Non-exempt Wage Classification: 13 Hours: Variable, may include evenings and weekends Effective date: Oct. 2024; July 2025; Mar. 2026 Reports to: Library Manager Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY Under general supervision, provides a variety of reference services to assist patrons in utilizing Port Townsend Public Library (PTPL) materials and resources. Typical duties include assisting patrons with computer use and library materials, identifying patron needs, performing circulation functions, assisting in maintaining collections, training staff and/or patrons in utilizing library related technology and systems and assisting in the resolution of reference and circulation issues. This position is distinguished from Library Assistant and Library Associate positions by its higher educational and prior library experience requirements. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  Courteously respond to patrons in person, by telephone, or electronically using a variety of sources within established guidelines.  Assist patrons with reference and reader's advisory services, computer use, PTPL’s public catalog and available digital or electronic resources. Research resource materials to respond to patron needs; refers patrons to a manager or other resources, as needed.  May develop and present a variety of library programs for all ages.  Assist patrons in resolving concerns or complaints regarding the availability of facilities and materials; adjust fines and fee disputes and related patron concerns.  Assist with collection maintenance activities, as assigned by the Manager/Director.  Identify, report and address safety and security issues. Refer to appropriate authorities as needed.  Perform a variety of clerical and administrative functions including counting and preparing money transmittals, collecting and compiling statistical data and monthly programming reports, and updating information binders. May assist in tabulating time sheets, tracking training classes, maintaining signage and bulletin boards and ordering supplies.  Assist in library opening and closing.  Assure that the library facility and equipment are in good working order.  Train, monitor and assign tasks and give direction to assigned employees and volunteers.  Assist patrons or staff with current and emerging library technology, including digital media.  May maintain staff schedules, as assigned.  Design and set-up displays, as assigned.  Assist Library Department Managers/Director in planning and presenting the annual Community Read for all ages.  Assemble the monthly (or more frequently) library newsletter. Associate Librarian  Promote programs by creating flyers/posters and send announcements to the local press and other communication channels such as email listservs and social media posts.  May have site responsibility in the absence of the Manager/Director, as assigned.  Helps create library publicity materials.  Knowledgeable about good customer service practices. Able to provide excellent library experience to patrons and colleagues by helping them find materials, use library technology, learn about library programs, and understand City and library policies. SPECIAL AREAS OF FOCUS FOR ASSOCIATE LIBRARIANS:  Adult Services o Under the general supervision of the Library Managers and/or Community Services Director, assists, plans, and implements special programming and outreach programs related to adult services. Performs other basic library functions including reference, readers advisory, circulation desk, technical services, collection development, and administrative tasks. o Helps the Library Managers and/or Community Services Director select, maintain, and develop adult materials for the library collection.  Youth Services o Under the general supervision of the Library Managers and/or Community Services Director, assists with early literacy, special programming, and outreach programs related to youth services. o Assists Library Managers and/or Community Services Director in planning and presenting programs for children from birth through age 18, both in and out of the library through library programs and library outreach. o Helps the Library Managers and/or Community Services Director select children's and teen materials for the library collection. o Assists Library Managers and/or Community Services Director in planning and presenting the annual Summer Reading Program for all ages.  Technical Services o Under the general supervision of the Library Managers and/or Community Services Director assists with the acquisition, cataloging, processing, and mending of library materials. o Assists with collection development and maintenance of the library collection. o Orders and processes interlibrary loan requests and returns. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people. • Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness. • Ability to maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, management, volunteers, elected officials, and patrons.  Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, the general public, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.  Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.  Ability to establish positive working relationships, serve the public (e.g. adults, teens, children) courteously and work effectively and collaboratively with library staff.  Ability to assist patrons with current and emerging library technology, including digital media.  Ability to perform alphanumeric filing accurately and to learn and utilize the Dewey Decimal System.  Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team. Associate Librarian  Ability to use initiative and independent judgment in a wide variety of situations.  Ability to recognize and set priorities, plan, organize and coordinate own work.  Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.  .  Ability to work a schedule that may change periodically, including evenings and weekends.  Willingness to being flexible to meet the needs of PTPL. QUALIFICATIONS Required  MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA accredited university and Washington State Library certification.  Must pass a criminal background check.  A Washington State Driver’s License and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier. Preferred  Teen and adult programming experience. LIBRARY EXPECTATIONS Listed below are shared expectations of all library employees:  Provide excellent customer service for patrons and co-workers treating all individuals with respect  Acknowledge and support of City of Port Townsend’s Public Library’s principles of intellectual freedom  Knowledge and support of City of Port Townsend’s Public Library’s policies and procedures  Ability to work effectively within a team  Ability to adapt to rapidly changing information, technology, work procedures and Library services  Ability to maintain confidentiality in dealing with patron and/or employee records WORKING CONDITIONS While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to perform:  (Continuous) seeing, talking, hearing, grasping, handling and manual dexterity.  (Frequent) walking, reaching, bending, standing, sitting, twisting, squatting, keyboarding and repetitive motion of hands/wrists.  (Occasional) climbing, kneeling, crouching, stooping, crawling and balancing.  Must be able to sort, unpack, lift and maneuver up to 25-30 pounds regularly and, occasionally, in excess of 50 pounds.  Regularly requires the ability to push, pull and maneuver a loaded book cart (20 pounds of push/pull force) on a frequent basis over an extended period of time. 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 essential functions. Associate Librarian The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. All employees must comply with all City policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.