Library Professional

Sarasota County Government

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sarasota County History Center, a branch of the Sarasota County library system, is seeking a Librarian to join their team. This role will be instrumental during a period of significant growth, including the construction of a new 30,000-square-foot facility designed to enhance the collection and public engagement. The History Center boasts an extensive archive, a reference library, a collection of local artifacts, and historic preservation programs. The Librarian will be a key member of the collections management team, contributing to collection development, maintenance, circulation, and reference services. A crucial aspect of this role involves serving as the primary liaison with the library system’s Technical Services team to ensure the discoverability of the History Center’s collections within the integrated library system. Additionally, the Librarian will develop resources such as guides, bibliographies, and tutorials to assist patrons of all levels in accessing materials. The position also entails planning and executing public programs focused on developing patrons' research skills and fostering an understanding of local history and genealogy. This role is ideal for someone passionate about connecting the public with the past.

Requirements

Master's degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association OR a Bachelor’s degree and enrolled in a MLS/MLIS program with the ability to obtain a MLS/MLIS within 12 months of hire.
Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.
Fingerprint Screening: This position is subject to a mandatory fingerprint-based background check per applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in a library, archive, or museum environment.

Responsibilities

Maintaining a detailed familiarity with the History Center’s collections and their research value.
Assisting with collection development by recommending materials for acquisition.
Participating in collection maintenance, including shelving, shifting, and weeding.
Serving as the History Center’s item coordinator and collaborating closely with the Technical Services team to ensure proper representation of collection materials in the department’s ILS and other systems.
Keeping abreast of developments, new trends, and innovations in cultural heritage institutions.
Coordinating participation of volunteers, interns, or other staff members in special projects, including project development, training, quality control and scheduling.
Helping to develop and implement policies and procedures governing the use of History Center collections, databases and services.
Planning and directing programming for adults, young adults, and children, in coordination with other professionals at the History Center and throughout the library system, with emphases on local history and genealogy.
Analyzing and identifying service population needs and develops plans to meet those needs.
Preparing guides, bibliographies, tutorials, training videos and other products to make the History Center’s collections, databases and services more accessible to patrons at all levels of familiarity with historical and genealogical research.
Describing and promoting the History Center’s collections, databases and services through social media, blog posts, online research guides, displays and other platforms.
Representing Sarasota County to customers, volunteers, staff and donors.
Implementing standards of service that ensure the prompt and efficient resolution of inquiries and requests from internal and external customers, delivered with the utmost courtesy and respect.
Assisting with routine public-facing operations at the History Center, including reference services, meeting space management and retrieving materials for customers.
Providing general reference service in assisting customers by locating answers to questions, including Interlibrary Loan services and referral to agencies outside the library.
Contributing to public tours, presentations, and workshops at the History Center and around the county relating to the collection and best practices for preserving historical resources.
Collecting, maintaining and analyzing statistics, reports, and other metrics on various aspects of operations and services.