Library Generalist

Somerville is a city that upholds progressive principles for both employees and residents alike. If you are looking for a culture that embraces innovation, empowerment, and collaborative involvement, Somerville not only embraces these talents, but encourages them. Creative, hands on collaboration with passionate dedication are at the core of the City’s workplace culture.  Challenging and fast paced, Somerville also offers a generous benefits package that embodies a strong work life balance. Not only is it a “Model City”, as termed by The Boston Globe, but it is also a model employer.

Reports to the Deputy Library Director.

Fills in at public service desks, including Circulation, Children’s Room, Youth Services, Reference Desk, etc. at Central library (and occasionally branch libraries), as needed. Works directly with the public. Assists patrons in using both print and electronic library resources in person, by email, telephone, etc. Periodically weeds designated areas of the collection as assigned by the head of the department. Works on readers’ advisory lists, displays, patron requests, and grants. Delivers books, DVD’s, books on CD, etc. to homebound patrons. Attends professional development workshops, conferences, and online webinars; and reads the professional literature to expand knowledge of library trends, skills, best practices, etc. Performs basic troubleshooting and support for library technology (e.g., printers, copiers, scanners, etc.). Completes special projects as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned

Outreach Duties:

Develops and maintains partnerships, and relationships with local community, civic, and business groups, individuals, local, state, and regional professional associations, and City of Somerville departments

Develop and deliver collections, services, and programs for people of all ages and backgrounds

Actively seeks program presenters and exhibitions. Researches, writes, implements and reports on grants to support library collections, services, and programming. Develops surveys and other tools to measure effectiveness of collections, services and programs, and to measure interest in future collections; services, and programs, and prepares reports about same

Prepares and delivers presentations to local community, civic and business groups and organizations to promote library collections, services, programs, and event

Promotes new, and existing library collections, services, programs, and events, in person, via print, web and other social media.

QUALIFICATIONS:

MLS and ALA from accredited library school and at least two years of professional experience.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential function.

Physical Skills

 Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work.  Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing.  There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.).

Motor Skills

 Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting.

Visual Skills

Visual demands include constantly reading documents in print and on the computer, for general understanding and for analytical purposes.

Send your resume and cover letter by October 17, 2018 to:

City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.