Library Technical Specialist

Illinois Secretary of State • Springfield, IL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Independently performs library work specializing in readers advisory services focusing on juveniles and schools in fiction and non-fiction subject areas to assist patrons of the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS) who have a vision, physical or reading disability that prevents reading standard print material; provides bibliographic searches for TBBS utilizing internally developed standards; works in partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) to maintain national standards; researches and refers patrons to appropriate disability agencies.

Requirements

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of two years of college, preferably with courses in library science and two years of paraprofessional library or related work experience.
• Requires extensive knowledge of the terminology, content and classification schemes of the collections serviced.
• Requires working knowledge of standard non-professional library science methods, procedures and techniques.
• Requires ability to recognize identifying information on documents in several foreign languages.
• Requires ability to utilize standard bibliographic tools.
• Requires ability to provide general reference services to professional staff.
• Requires ability to prepare ordinary operating reports on library activities.
• Requires ability to select and recommend publications of interest to the patrons utilizing the library facilities.
• Requires the ability to lift, carry and push/pull up to 10 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Works independently and in conjunction with other Readers Advisors to provide telephone and in-person customer service for TBBS by answering questions pertaining to the reading and informational needs of print-disabled patrons, especially children and schools; conducts introductory patron interviews, adding them to customer database; specializes in title, subject and author searches for material utilizing special databases and a unique circulation system and internal cataloging process; discusses reading preferences with patrons, customizing mail-order service details for each individual; develops book orders for patrons.
• Develops subject-specific bibliographies of interest to TBBS juvenile patrons; submits articles for NewLink, the TBBS quarterly newsletter; drafts publicity information for communications manager; suggests subject cataloging changes to original cataloging provided by circulation vendor.
• Develops procedures to analyze and review NLS technology updates concerning talking book equipment and accessibility resources and issues for use in school facilities and with juveniles, shares information with all staff, assists supervisor on special projects and operating system review.
• Using professional resources, researches both simple and complex requests regarding referral service to other disability agencies and questions about assistive technology equipment used by patrons in this program.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree