You create amazing experiences for our library guests with your warmth, knowledge, and love of serving others. You enrich people’s lives by developing and promoting exciting fiction collections that are in tune with our community and ensure adults find their next great read. You connect guests with the information they need, helping them feel comfortable using the library’s resources and expanding their world by enthusiastically sharing about collections and services.
Who you are:
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You engage well with people of all ages and are passionate about providing exemplary customer service experiences.
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You are warm and friendly, and you like helping people.
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You naturally empathize and relate to people, seeking to build relationships.
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You love reading and are passionate about connecting people with books they will love.
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You have thorough knowledge of adult fiction and popular materials.
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You excel at teaching people how to use digital resources, the library catalog, and databases.
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You are an expert at collection management and are familiar with the CREW method.
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You’re outgoing – you love letting people know about materials and services and making thoughtful recommendations.
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You’re a thoughtful and collaborative team player.
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You make smart, independent decisions, understanding the big picture and your place in it.
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You’re comfortable with change and look for new ideas and ways to improve services.
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You have strong attention to detail, and accuracy is important to you.
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You successfully juggle multiple tasks and projects with frequent interruptions.
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You show initiative and the ability to think on your feet.
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You’re a great communicator, both oral and written.
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You’re excited about the prospect of growing and learning in a changing environment.
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You enjoy a good laugh.
A position you’ll love:
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You warmly welcome guests into our library and help ensure a great experience.
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On call, roaming the floor, over the phone, or via email, you provide friendly, knowledgeable service to guests of all ages:
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Engaging with guests in the library and helping them find items.
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Providing expert reference services.
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Assisting and training guests to use the library catalog, databases, and eMaterials.
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Talking with people about books, movies, and music and sharing meaningful suggestions.
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Sharing about programs and services and being a point of referral for other library services.
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You provide timely and dynamic collections through your insight into collection development of popular genres of adult fiction, including literary fiction, romance, and mystery by monitoring library and publishing trends.
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You maintain cohesive, accessible, and discoverable physical collections. You identify and implement improvements to your assigned collection areas.
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You plan and facilitate a lively monthly fiction book group in the library.
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You cultivate a timely and dynamic collection of digital materials through OverDrive, including all adult genres including nonfiction and manage hold queues by optimizing tools available through the vendor.
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You update and maintain circulating preloaded digital reading and listening devices, including eReaders and audio tablets.
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You have a strong working knowledge of the features available within OverDrive/Libby and hoopla and use this knowledge to foster a positive experience for readers accessing the library’s digital collections on these platforms, including leading classes.
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You create and maintain strong relationships with representatives from the library’s digital content vendors and communicate new features, platform changes, etc. to staff in all departments, as needed.
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You collaborate with the Programming and Outreach Department to cross-promote collections as part of programs and community outreach done by others.
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You collaborate with Resource Services staff to plan and create monthly displays and book lists for adults to help readers discover new materials to enjoy.
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You are passionate about promoting collections and offering readers’ advisory services, and you enjoy brainstorming promotional ideas with the Communications staff.
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You ably manage the budget for assigned collections and prepare insightful, clear reports about activities and services.
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You help maintain safety and order in the library by acting as one of the Persons in Charge and assist with making sure the building is securely closed at the end of the day.
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You love learning and keep up with library trends by reading professional literature and participating in continuing education and training opportunities.
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You maintain updated documentation for procedures and guidelines relevant to your role.
Do you have what it takes?
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Master of Library Science degree from an ALA accredited school.
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Two years of customer service experience.
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Two years of professional experience in a library preferred.
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Valid driver’s license and State of Illinois-approved automobile insurance.
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Proficiency in using computers and other devices, apps, Word, Excel, Outlook, the Internet, library catalogs, and databases.
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Reliable transportation.
Physical requirements:
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Hear, speak, and listen to individuals in person and by telephone.
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Reading materials in print and electronic format.
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Ability to use a mouse, keyboard, and computer monitor.
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Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods.
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Ability to move throughout the library to provide, explain, interpret, and retrieve resources.
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Ability to safely lift library materials up to 20 pounds.
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Ability to push/pull carts with materials.
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Ability to reach, bend, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replace library materials.
