Reader Advisor Librarian (Librarian II)

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Talking Book Library (ATBL) has an opening for the role of Reader Advisor Librarian (Librarian II). This position reports to the ATBL Assistant Administrator and contributes to the vision "that all may read" by providing library services and accessible collections to blind, low vision and print disabled Arizonans. Alternate formats available to ATBL patrons include audio and braille reading materials.

The Reader Advisor Librarian supports an active Public Services department. This role primarily interacts with patrons over the phone, while also greeting walk-in visitors and communicating by email. Each Reader Advisor Librarian is assigned approximately 25% of adult members, acting as their primary contact for account set-up and maintenance, book requests and recommendations, and catalog instruction. The current opening also has a youth focus and assists patrons under 18 years of age, their families, and schools.

This role has a voice in state and national discussions on services to this population. ATBL is a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records and a network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. Reader Advisor Librarians benefit from regular opportunities to learn and share with a community of Talking Book librarians across the country.

Hours of operation are as follows: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Occasional weekends, evenings and holidays are required to attend conferences, outreach, and special events.

The Reader Advisor Librarian's areas of impact include:

Customer Service:
Offer attentive and knowledgeable reader advisement to customize service to patron's preferences
Communicate proactively and empathetically by scheduling periodic check-ins, contacting inactive patrons, and resolving concerns
Onboard new patrons promptly and assist with completing and certifying applications

Youth Services and Engagement:
Help young readers and parents or legal guardians with book selection
Conduct annual Summer Reading Program for all ages
Participate in outreach opportunities, particularly for children and families

If you are a professional librarian who believes that people with a visual, physical or reading disability deserve equal access to books, please consider joining our team. Visit azlibrary.gov/talkingbooks to learn more about our branch and its collections.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Requirements

• Knowledge of books, authors, subjects, series, and genres.
• Knowledge of library policies and procedures
• Knowledge of attributes and appropriate service models for use with Talking Book Library patrons
• Technical knowledge of computers and software including Integrated Library Systems like KLAS (Keystone Library Automation System), Word, Excel, and Microsoft Outlook
• Knowledge of patron interview techniques, and ability to accommodate individual patron's needs and preferences
• Knowledge of community resources for the blind and print disabled
• Knowledge of search strategies to use online and print sources to obtain needed information
• Knowledge of WCAG Accessibility Guidelines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with both individuals and groups.
• Customer service skills
• Reference interviewing skills
• Computer, personal devices, telephone, and interpersonal skills
• Online research skills
• Organization and record keeping skills
• Ability to serve people losing their sight and certain physical abilities to qualify for the service
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patrons who may not communicate clearly or effectively due to loss of hearing, physical disabilities, reading disabilities, or reduced mental abilities, i.e. memory problems, dementia, Alzheimer's
• Ability to work well with others, i.e. staff and volunteers
• Ability to move between tasks quickly as priorities change
• Ability to create engaging and accessible images, handouts and postcards using graphic design tools like Canva
• Ability to create and edit web content through a Content Management System like Drupal
• Ability to review documents for accessibility and correct errors
• Valid AZ Driver's License
• MA in Library Science or related degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of two (2) years experience as a professional librarian. Other combinations of experience and education that meets the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years working with children and teenagers in a library or school setting preferred
• Bilingual speaking skills (Spanish) preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide reader advisory services for statewide program. Customize patron account with individual reading preferences and make account changes as requested.
• Encourage self-sufficiency by instructing in use of online public access catalog and downloading services. Direct patrons to special library collections and programs of interest.
• Onboard new patrons within a time frame that meets federal requirements. Follow up with additional contact attempts as needed. Interview individuals and institutional partners to set up initial account parameters. Assign books and subscribe to requested serials.
• Engage in patron recruitment and retention activities. Assist with completing and certifying applications as needed. Represent the library at outreach events and give presentations about library services. Maintain and develop partnerships and collaborations with other departments and outside organizations that serve a similar clientele. Communicate regularly with established patrons and contact individuals who are inactive. Address patron concerns promptly, and change reading preferences as requested.
• Act as youth and teen librarian. Assist young readers and parents/legal guardians with book requests. Manage school accounts and coordinate with educators, teachers of the visually impaired, and reading specialists on institutional account set up and fulfillment of annual requirements. Prepare and promote an accessible summer reading program for all ages. Design and implement library programming. Attend outreach events to increase membership of patrons from 0 to 17 years.
• Participate in activities in support of the Public Services team and library as a whole. Build expertise in best practices when serving the blind and print disabled community. Develop specialized knowledge and skills in areas that may include collection development, library programming and book discussion groups, content creation and social media engagement, and other focus areas. Write articles for library and agency newsletters. Ensure that all web content and public-facing documents meet current accessibility standards. Act as librarian-in-charge in the absence of a supervisor. Participate in building opening and closing procedures. Address any facilities, staffing, or customer issues that arise during shift.
• Participate in professional development and networking opportunities. Maintain knowledge of federal guidelines for Libraries for the Blind and Print Disabled and updates to the national program through regular attendance at trainings, network meetings, and conferences. Adapt to changes in library software and advise management on new features to improve department workflow. Explore current trends and technologies related to accessibility.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Benefits

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level