Job Description
Assists the Reference Manager with the operation and supervision of the Reference Department to provide public and staff with excellent reference resources. Oversees the evaluation, acquisition, and maintenance of Library databases.
Essential Responsibilities:
1. Assists in supervising and monitoring Reference staff to ensure the smooth operation of the department.
2. Supervises and monitors workflow and operations to ensure excellent and efficient customer service.
3. Assists in the review and selection of print reference and databases resources system-wide to ensure that the Library has a well-rounded and comprehensive selection that reflects the needs of the staff and patrons.
4. Maintains department resources so that staff have proper tools to meet patrons needs and promote Library resources to patrons and Library staff system-wide.
5. Coordinates with various staff to disseminate database information and training about research in order to ensure staff are well-informed when assisting patrons and promoting resources.
Additional Info & Requirements
Job Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Library Science
Ability to supervise, train, and motivate staff
Must possess a commitment to a high level of public service to Library customers
Must possess good judgment, analytical, and problem solving skills
Must possess excellent communication and organization skills
Ability to work effectively with other Library managers in a professional manner
The Community
Known as the “Gateway to the West”, St. Louis and the surrounding areas offer an array of lifestyles. St. Louis features hip, trendy cafes and neighborhoods, a plethora of outdoor activities with hundreds of parks and trails, and popular sporting events and cultural attractions. St. Louis County is a great place to live, work, and play!
St. Louis County Library is a 20 branch system, serving over 860,000 patrons and circulating 14 million items a year. SLCL is in the midst of a multi-year capital improvement project called Your Library Renewed, that will upgrade existing structures and open new facilities, as well as enhance library programs and services. Not only do we have state-of-the-art buildings, but our impressive programs and partnerships are abundant and diverse. SLCL staff are creative and forward thinking, developing several award- winning programs geared to enrich individual minds, enhance lives and expand perspectives.
The Reference Department is a centrally located department of highly trained professional research staff at St. Louis County Library. Reference is a busy department who serves the entire St. Louis County community with their research and information needs. The department utilizes our collection of over 100 databases and a robust print collection to answer questions over the phone, over our chat service, at the Reference desk, through email, through postal mail, and through one-on-one librarian appointments. With all of these avenues for patrons to work with a reference professional, the Reference Department answers over 16,000 questions annually.
Reference also offers a strong selection of educational programs to the community and continues to grow outreach efforts across St. Louis to promote and demonstrate how to use our research resources. The resources of the Department are heavily used by entrepreneurs and job seekers who rely on the expertise of the staff to help with many different business needs, finding a job or new career, or interview preparation. Staff are responsible for a vast amount of educational programming, creating content for instructional videos, creation of libguides, community lists, and engaging in outreach and off-site programming to expand visibility to the local community. In addition to working with entrepreneurs and job seekers, the department works closely with nonprofits, students and educators, older adults, and justice involved. In 2021, Reference offered over 150 educational programs on a variety of topics, over 100 outreach sessions with organizations, schools, and senior living facilities, and held over 125 Book-a-Librarian sessions.
The Department has a Management Team consisting of a Manager and Assistant Manager, 10 professional research staff, including a Small Business & Employment Resources Coordinator.
Over the next two years the department will temporarily relocate to the Beckwith Administration building while construction begins on a new state of the art facility. The area designated for the department will be located on the upper level and the space will be dedicated to all things small business. There will be flexible coworking stations, private gathering rooms, computer stations, and a copy center.
The ideal candidate for the Assistant Manager position will have a drive for innovation, an interest in creative technological solutions, and excels at sharing resources and research methods with the public. In this role, the incumbent will help drive programs and services to build meaningful partnerships, implement educational and timely programs that appeal to diverse audiences, expand access to resources and supervise a talented group of professionals.