Job Description
The Colorado Talking Book Library (CTBL) has an opening for a Senior Reader Advisor. This position has a mix of patron services and supervisory duties. Do you wonder if this is the right job for you? Here’s how the current Reader Advisory team describes their work at CTBL:
We are a serious, fun, cooperative team of librarians who are passionate about serving the blind and print disabled community. We enjoy providing core library services like reader advisory, programming, and outreach to patrons statewide. We spend our days answering patron phone calls and finding books patrons will love, as well as helping them navigate library services and use assistive technology (have you seen the cool new braille e-readers?). We are advocates for access and equity, especially for people with disabilities. We want to serve our community and make a difference in Colorado and beyond. We like an easy-going, but structured work environment. We are often interrupted, so we embrace flexibility, patience, and a sense of good intent. Oh, and when we aren’t geeking out on library books and services, we enjoy working Monday through Friday (i.e., no weekends) and having 11 paid holidays a year. If this sounds appealing, read on.
The Colorado Talking Book Library (CTBL) serves Colorado residents who are blind or print disabled, providing audio, large print, and braille books and magazines. This position is part of the Reader Advisory (RA) team at CTBL, and the position includes both supervisory duties and patron services. It involves collaborating closely with the library director to ensure the seamless operation of the RA team, prioritizing a "Patron First" approach to library services. The library is busy, but low-key, and the dedicated staff work diligently to provide equitable access to library materials for all patrons. This position requires a strong grounding in library science and patron services. CTBL is part of the State Library (CSL), a unit of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
Key Duties:
• Responsible for daily operations of CTBL’s reader advisory and patron customer service.
• This hands-on position provides customer service to CTBL’s patrons in a variety of modalities including phone, email, and in-person.
• Provides day-to-day management of the Reader Advisor (RA) team, including applying library policies and procedures appropriately. The team provides frontline customer service, patron outreach, and programming.
• Oversees scheduling, vacation time, timekeeping, and supervision of the RA team.
• In collaboration with library director, supervises and manages team assignments and priorities.
• Provides library services to Colorado’s blind and print disabled community, including incarcerated individuals.
• Monitors and develops employee performance. Follows CDE policies in executing all performance plan procedures, including providing coaching and feedback as needed throughout the performance cycle.
• Contributes to the CTBL team working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues at the CTBL, State Library, Department of Education, and National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
• Delegates responsibilities, monitors performance, and performs the role of team members as needed.
• Contributes to the development of policies and workflow procedures for new services or materials, as appropriate.
• Works on-site at the Colorado Talking Book Library located at 180 Sheridan in Denver, Colorado.
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Required:
• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited institution
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in library patron services
• Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience
Preferred:
• Experience serving the blind and print disabled community
• Familiarity with the National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) services and national library network
• Experience using the KLAS library catalogue
Competencies:
• Demonstrates an enthusiasm for librarianship in general and serving the blind and print disabled population in particular.
• Works equally well with patrons and co-workers.
• Shows good judgment in solving problems, working with patrons/public, and applying library and department policies.
• Navigates change and is able adapt to new challenges.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence with patrons, library visitors, and colleagues.
• Provides excellent customer service to internal and external clients, expertly troubleshoots problems, and deals gracefully with difficult situations.
• Capable of working in a team environment and independently as required.
• Promotes teamwork and collaboration among staff.
• Constructively presents new ideas and information clearly to all audiences.
• Demonstrates strong leadership capabilities including accountability, productivity, adaptability, critical thinking, listening, people skills, and ethics.
• Pursues professional development for themselves and staff to advance skills and knowledge.
For the complete job posting and to apply visit the State of Colorado Job Opportunities webpage at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/4363004/senior-reader-advisor
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Student Loan Forgiveness
- Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) retirement plan
- Paid annual leave and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays annually
Additional Info & Requirements
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.
The Community
Colorado Department of Education – What We Do
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.
As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data. CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting the public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.
Links
External Job Ad
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/4363004/senior-reader-advisor