Position Summary:

Following practices and procedures acquired through advanced study, administer library materials; assist library patrons with conducting research across a variety of media; design and deliver library instruction and information literacy classes; lend books and other materials; classify and organize new materials; shelve returned materials; ensure coverage of the reference desk.

Job Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks:

• Provide reference services through print and electronic information sources to students, faculty and other library users in-person, via telephone, electronically, through video conferencing and through other library collections.
• Design, develop, provide and evaluate training and instruction for library users regarding the effective use of the library, including location of materials, use of the catalog, use of computers to access information, and the use of basic reference sources. Instruction will include library orientation programs, bibliographic instructions, formats for writing academic papers, etc. and may be provided in a classroom setting or the library itself.
• Serve as a library liaison to academic departments.
• Provide support and instruction for library users as necessary in all areas of the library, including the print collection, electronic resources (including assisting students with computer usage), and all other library services.
• Promote library services to the College community; meet with faculty to develop and refine library-based assignments, assist with managing and updating the library’s website. As requested, create, maintain and release library newsletters and calendars, posting on the website and distributing via email.
• Process library items for shelving by adding spine labels and book pockets, classify and organize new materials, shelve returned materials.
• Provide cataloging services for print and other library collections utilizing the on-line circulation database. Assist in maintaining the circulation system. As requested, create written instructions on data base methodology and provide training to others on the library staff. Create and provide informational reports.
• As requested, catalog the Library Archives, Special Collection and New York Heritage Digital Collection utilizing other circulation databases.
• Assist with collection development by making recommendations for additional materials to the Library Director. Assist with collection inventory by reclassification of materials, deletions and additions; searching for missing items, and deleting weeded materials.
• As a member of the library’s professional staff, assist with effective, efficient and professional library operation by actively pursuing and providing procedural improvement recommendations as necessary, and evaluating and making recommendations concerning the selection and implementation of new technologies to enhance reference services and library instruction.
• Staff the circulation desk; answer questions received via telephone; read and respond to emails, check books in and out; hold and/or distribute reserve material as necessary; process outgoing interlibrary loans.
• Provide a variety of administrative support functions including ensuring that copier and printers have adequate paper, filling, fixing paper jams, reloading ink cartridges; assisting students with basic computer issues.
• Keep abreast of changes in the field and make contributions to professional literature, activities of the professional organizations and/ or scholarly developments in the areas of reference, library instruction, and instructional technology.
• Provide library coverage in the absence of the Library Director or other librarians.
• As requested, organize weekend newspapers; collect from the general office, distribute as appropriate and/or display.

Job Specifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Master’s degree in library science or library and information science is required; additional graduate degree in an academic discipline is desirable.
• Position requires two years’ experience in an academic library performing reference library tasks, experience in a college-level library is preferred.
  Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
• Membership in local or national professional library organizations is required.

Skills:

Position requires exemplary interpersonal skills to interface with students, faculty and other library users as well as outside library associations, vendors and other contacts. Position requires effective communication skills, both oral and written and the ability to influence students of diverse backgrounds. The job holder must understand and be able to complete online research using databases and assorted other resources, have knowledge of cataloging rules and online cataloging as well as library computer cataloging and circulation systems.

Technology Skills:

Advanced competency in Windows operating environment using MS Office applications (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher), e-mail and internet programs and have the aptitude to learn and efficiently utilize the College’s cataloging and circulations system(s) as well as more universally used College systems.

Application Information:

Please send cover letter, resume, salary requirements and a list of 3 references to: resumes@mariacollege.edu with “Reference Librarian” as the subject.

Maria College is a nonprofit, independent, coeducational institution which does not discriminate in its enrollment or employment practices for any reason including race, sex, color, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local laws and ordinances. Information about the services, activities and facilities accessible to students or prospective students with disabilities regarding Title 504 may be obtained from Kim Noakes in Accessibility Services in Mercy Hall at (518) 861-2508; information about the services, activities and facilities accessible to employees or prospective employees with disabilities regarding Title IX and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act may be obtained from Andrew Ledoux, Title IX Coordinator at (518) 861-2505.