Job Description
NATURE OF WORK:
This position is responsible for providing responsive and high quality reader’s advisory and programming services to adults and young adults at the Evanston Public Library Main Branch.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment may include some or all of the following):
● Assists library users with the use of library collections, services, equipment and facilities, including help in accessing online resources and downloading digital library books.
● Interviews library users carefully to determine what information is required and provides clear, accurate and timely answers to all inquiries. Offers appropriate options for further inquiries, including referrals to other library departments or other organizations.
● Conducts searches using online and print readers’ advisory tools to suggest titles, read-alikes, and find book discussion information for adult and young adult literature. Conducts searches for specific pieces of music, film or video, and general study materials on film or audio. Determines availability of materials for Interlibrary Loan requests and orders via on-line databases.
● Maintains current knowledge of the Library’s adult and young adult collections and electronic resources, keeping abreast of industry trends and innovations. Reads, listens to, and views a wide variety of literature and media.
● Develops and maintains displays and recommended resource guides to books, movies, music and on-line resources.
● Explains and implements library policies and procedures.
● Performs other duties as required or assigned.
Duties may include one or more of the following:
● Organizes, promotes, presents and evaluates public programs and book discussion groups.
● Promotes library collections, services and activities to a racially and socio-economically diverse urban/suburban community by creating flyers and posters, bibliographies, pathfinders, social media posts (e.g.Twitter or Facebook) and reviews and by attending community events and developing relationships with community partners.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
● This position requires a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience such as a minimum of two years working experience in a public library or other educational setting.
● Considerable knowledge of a broad range of literature and authors, films, music, and current events. Must be conversant with social media and personal mobile technologies currently in use.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Spanish language proficiency is highly desirable.
● Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of customers and staff throughout the Library, as well as outside the organization.
● Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form, while dealing with several abstract and concrete variables.
● Ability to multi-task many variable duties, requests and responsibilities.
● Ability to prepare business letters, expositions, summaries, and reports, using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, dictation, and style.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
The ability to work in a primarily sedentary position, with the ability to occasionally use force to exert up to 20 pounds. The ability to lift, carry or otherwise move objects, books, materials, etc. using up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from indoor temperature changes.
There are no environmental hazards associated with this classification.
SUPERVISION:
Work is performed under the supervision and guidance of the Lifelong Learning and Literacy Manager. The individual has contact with other library agencies and staff at all levels, and uses the necessary resources to meet and achieve goals and/or objectives. Work is assigned through specific projects and customer/clientele requests. The employee is responsible for prioritizing work tasks, and for identifying and utilizing the appropriate resources to resolve a problem or situation. Work performance is reviewed through observation, completion of projects, status reports, conferences and meetings. Guidance is provided through the City Code, departmental policies, City operating practices and procedures, and other resources as applicable to specific projects assigned. Work is evaluated at least annually, with respect to customer service, problem-solving ability and performance in accordance with this classification standard.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
The employee has regular and frequent contact with the general public.
SELECTION METHOD TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
Structured Oral Interview Category Group Two Years
Qualifications Assessment
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To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.
Chosen candidates will be subject to a qualifying pre-employment medical examination and drug/alcohol screen.
The City of Evanston is committed to making all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Any citizen needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact the Facilities Management Office at 847-866-2916 (voice) or 847-448-8052 (TTY).
Additional Info & Requirements
Scheduled Hours: Sunday: 11:45 am-6:15 pm, Wednesday: 9:45 am-5:00 pm, Friday 8:45 am-4:00 pm
HR Info
City of Evanston-Human Resources
2100 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201