Job Description
Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the residents of the City & County of Denver. DPL sees more than 4 million visitors every year across its 27 locations, serves Denver’s most vulnerable communities through outreach and mobile services, hosts thousands of programs a year, and manages a collection of more than 1.4 million physical and digital materials. We believe a strong library is vital for a strong community. DPL is committed to serving the evolving needs of Denverites through inspired programming, diverse collections, culturally-representative spaces, and equitable policies & procedures.
The Special Collections and Archives (SCA) unit at Denver Public Library comprises two archival repositories: Western History and Genealogy at the Central Library and the African American Research Library at Blair-Caldwell Library. SCA functions in many ways as a smaller version of the library, providing access to specialized materials through intentional acquisition, description, and customer service.
About the Job
DPL is hiring a Serials Librarian who will improve customer experiences by performing original and complex copy cataloging for a variety of formats with a focus on establishing intellectual and physical control over continuing resources in Special Collections and Archives and improving their discoverability and access. This will include appraising, communicating with partner institutions and vendors, and preparing materials for digitization to further enhance access. You will also collaborate with acquisitions librarians and other library professionals to ensure that incoming serials are appropriately received and processed.
You will have primary responsibility for maintaining knowledge of current and emerging cataloging and metadata standards, tools, and best practices for working with these materials. You will support the work of others in the department, working collaboratively with the cataloging team to review, develop, and implement cataloging policies and procedures. With a constant inflow of new material, you will participate as needed in ongoing cataloging and metadata work for non-archival formats beyond serials.
You will work closely with the Senior Special Collection Librarian to develop practices and workflows that will help the department improve public access and discovery for the rich historical resources in our holdings, and work collaboratively with others in the library to ensure that our descriptive practices meet the practical needs of customers and staff.
About You
Our ideal candidate has:
A passion for archives and special collections work in a public library setting
Experience with Polaris, OCLC Connexion, and other cataloging software preferred but not required
Knowledge of cataloging and metadata practices specific to continuing resources
Strong project management skills and skill at managing multiple projects at once
Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
Strong writing and communication skills
Finds following workflows satisfying and thrives on attention to detail
Commitment to collaborative work with internal and external stakeholders
Ability to use workplace technology effectively, including email, calendar, internet, video conferencing, databases, and spreadsheet software
Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
Ability to demonstrate initiative, innovation, and flexibility, including proposing process improvements
Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, positive attitude, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor in working with customers, coworkers and community members
Language proficiency in Spanish or Japanese preferred
We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements will be considered:
Masters in Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited program.
Three (3) years of work experience in a detail-oriented environment, ideally focused on the description of library or archival materials.
Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirement.
We highly recommend including a cover letter that outlines your experience and knowledge as it relates to the position. We expect this position to close on 8/17/2023. Please apply at your earliest convenience.
About Everything Else
Job Profile
LA1315 Librarian Special Collection
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.
Position Type
Unlimited
Starting Pay
54,699.00-81,365.00
Agency
Denver Public Library
Assessment Requirement
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.