Job Description
The Washington State Library connects people to the power of libraries. As Washington's oldest cultural institution, the library's unique and rare collections date back to territorial days. Resources include historical print and digital compilations, collections of state newspapers and maps, state and federal government publications, and the Ask-a-Librarian service. The library benefits local libraries and their patrons through its consulting services, grants, subsidies, training, and programming. Additionally, the Washington State Library provides services to state prison and state hospital libraries. OSOS also operates the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) in Seattle, a library for people unable to read standard print. Library & Archival Professional 2 Full time, permanent Help make a difference! Institutional Library Services is a program of the Washington State Library that provides library services to the inmates and patients in Washington's prisons and State Hospitals. These positions provide library and information services to inmates by performing complex technical library duties and problem solving related to collection development, reference/information delivery, and automated circulation systems. Branch staff maintains day-to-day library services and operations, performs collection management duties, participates in branch library program and assists other branches, and performs bibliographic and information searches and answers reference questions. We currently have two openings with the Branch Services of the Washington State Library. One at the Washington State Reformatory in Monroe, Washington and one at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell, Washington. Please note: Interviews for this position will be conducted on an ongoing basis. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at any time.
Duties
- Maintains day-to-day library services and operations
- Performs duties such as serials, audiovisual services, materials processing, outreach, and other ongoing library services
- Organizes, implements, and maintains all phases of interlibrary loan process
- Manages automated circulation system, including inmate restricted functions, registering new patrons, creating holding records, entering bibliographic information, preparing and customizing reports, database clean-up and inventory
- Hires, trains, supervises, coaches, and organizes the daily work of inmate library clerks
- Establishes guidelines for appropriate behavior of inmate library customers
- Enforces institutional and library rules
- Orders and maintains library and office supplies
- Compiles periodic statistical and narrative reports
- Plans, monitors, and evaluates service delivery
- Selects material to fill information requests and assists customers with bibliographic tools Performs collection management duties
- Selects formats of library materials to meet the full range of library/information needs of the inmate library customers
- Confers with institution staff and contract staff (educators, nurses, etc) regarding their clients' information needs and keeps them informed when the library is able to meet those needs
- Uses online tools to create orders
- Assesses, evaluates, and maintains collections through periodic weeding and inventory Participates in branch library program and assists other branches
- Provides coverage for other branch libraries in bordering counties
- Acts as a resource for troubleshooting and/or problem solving for ongoing or special projects
- Provides technical support or subject expertise to accomplish program goals
- Works with colleagues on projects for other branches, such as planning, implementing, and evaluating major changes
- May assist other staff with reference, interlibrary loan or other tasks to ease workloads
- Attends office sponsored training activities and events Performs bibliographic and information searches and answers reference questions
- Selects material to fill information requests and assists inmates with bibliographic tools Qualifications REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited program
- Two years of professional experience in a library providing adult/young adult public services within the past 10 years
- Current Washington driver's license or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation
- Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience providing adult/young adult reference and reader's advisory services
- Collection management experience, including selection, weeding, and record maintenance Supplemental Information SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Certification by State Librarian authorized through the Office of the Secretary of State - this qualification is not mandatory for application but is mandatory for employment
- If in a Department of Corrections institution, successful completion of DOC CORE training must be completed within the first 9 months of employment
- Willingness and ability to work within the constraints of institutions and work effectively with customers (inmates or psychiatric patients)
- Must pass a criminal history background check
HR Info
HR@sos.wa.gov