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Public Services Librarian

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Job Details

Title Reference and Instruction Librarian
Campus: LAC-Ontario Campus
Department: Academic Services
Reports to: Director of Library Services
Exempt: Yes
Position Status:

Regular Full-time 
Effective: May 2023
Summary: This position is the primary resource building bridges between theological and pedagogical content, research, strategies and information technologies.  This position provides reference services to students, faculty, staff and other library users - in-person and via electronic methods.  Assistance to faculty and instruction support the Seminary’s goal of developing information literate students.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities: The following duties are considered essential to the job. With or without reasonable accommodation, qualified individuals must have the ability to perform the following duties:
    • Teach classes, lead workshops, general Library orientation; promote information literacy across the curriculum at all campuses.
    • Develop and apply innovative learning technologies and resources (instructional publications or handouts, pre- and post-testing assessment instruments such as online questionnaires or surveys).
    • Answer research questions – in-person as well as by phone, e-mail and chat – from students, faculty and other library users.
    • Provide reference responsibilities by instructing patrons (students, faculty, and community members) in finding, retrieving, evaluating, and using theological research tools and resources available both locally and online; developing cooperatively with library staff regular orientations and training for patrons on how to use the library and resources.
    • Promote the use of library materials and instruct students in the use of the library catalog; and, solicit student and faculty perceptions and needs via surveys and other viable methods.
    • Support the library by developing, implementing, and revising system circulation policies in cooperation with the Director of Library Services, write and maintain updated system circulation manuals, including detailed operating procedures for Reserve, Charge/Discharge, Searching, Creating/Editing Patron records, and ICL.
    • Provide circulation support by developing, coordinating and managing all circulation aspects of the library collection for Gateway Seminary Library System correspond with patrons regarding overdue/lost library materials and library notices, and collect and deposit fines and fees.
    • Select, train, and supervise Reference Assistants and the overall management of the Library front desk.
    • Schedule and maintain Gateway Seminary Library conference/meeting rooms; and assign, maintain, and inspect study rooms.
    • Actively participate in collection analysis and development including recommendations for purchase and weeding as assigned and in conjunction with Collection Development Librarian.
    • Participate in reviewing and evaluating databases, periodicals and reference books.
    • Assist with interviewing, selecting and training selected applicants for vacant position (s) in cooperation with Director of Library Services.
    • Attend professional meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences; review professional literature to keep current in library trends and instruction.
    • Responsible for daily library opening and closing procedures as assigned.
    • Perform additional duties as required.

Job duties are not limited to the list shown above and may be revised from time to time as deemed appropriate by the Seminary.
Supervisory Responsibilities Manages subordinate employees and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Seminary's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Core Values The candidate must possess a strong commitment to the mission of Gateway Seminary, be an active member of a Southern Baptist Church, and possess a clear understanding of Baptist history, organization, polity, and culture. Gateway Seminary is a confessional institution owned by the Southern Baptist Convention. While the seminary serves the larger evangelical Christian community, employees must embrace the values and standards the seminary represents as it fulfills its mission of shaping Christian leaders. Employees are expected to abide by the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, as well as our bylaws.
Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

Service: Manages difficult or emotional situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills: Possesses high regard for the worth of others; Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Technical Skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Writes clearly and informatively; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents quantitative data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Strategic: Able to look beyond the immediate to envision the changes needed in meeting the needs of tomorrow; able to look beyond the way things have been done to see new approaches.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Promotes atmosphere of constant improvement.

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Works well in group problem-solving situations.

Management: Able to manage a diverse set of organizational functions and motivate the distinctly unique employee skill sets required in each.

Managing People: Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; availability to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products, and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.

Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Maintains the highest integrity.
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: An MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited institution, reference and instructional experience, preferably in an academic library; Theological degree or training preferred.

Language Skills: English required; familiarity with biblical languages preferred. Candidate must possess excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills. Candidate must have strong people skills with the ability to clearly communicate the mission, policies, and procedures of the Seminary. Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, students, and constituents.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must be able to think creatively to address library patrons’ questions.

Software: Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel and Word. Experience with WMS software preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities: Thorough grounding in traditional library services, teaching skills necessary to create and deliver a wide range of information literacy instruction sessions, as well as experience in the application of digital and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; kneel, crouch, climb and balance, walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee should be capable of lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, though moderate noise can occur at meetings and social events. It is a well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.

 

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