Position: Children’s Instructor and Research Supervisor
Location: Howard County Library System
Salary: $51,977 – $91,143 per year

Originally posted on the Maryland Library Association listserv.

Responsibilities: RESPONSIBILITY Positions Howard County Library System (HCLS) as a major component of public education for all ages. Ensures HCLS’ educational mission achieves its racial and social equity goals. Effectively lives the Seven Pillars of HCLS’ strategic plan (Authentic Values, Strategic Vocabulary, Everyone a Leader, Winning Teamwork, Community Partnerships, The Power of Us, and Fiercely Loyal Customers), motivating others to do so as well. Advances HCLS’ educational mission, effectively communicating our curriculum, which comprises Three Pillars (Self-Directed Education, ResearchAssistance & Instruction, Instructive & Enlightening Experiences).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Creates and implements children’s educational plan responsive to community aspirations and achieves HCLS’ strategic goals. Ensures curriculum meets HCLS’ goals standards for quality and instructional design. Supervises and develops children’s instructors. Manages department activity. Participates in the planning of system-wide events, classes, and A+ Curriculum Enhancements for Children’s Services. Trains new children’s instructors. Assigns and monitors projects related to children’s curriculum. Serves as resource person to staff on children’s materials and curriculum. In collaboration with Materials Management, develops children’s collection to be responsive to community aspirations. Prepares and teaches children’s classes for children ages birth through 5th grade, including classes related to the Enchanted Garden. Visits schools to present book promotions, teach A+ classes, and provide instruction resources for preschool, elementary and high school students and staff. Provides research to the public by answering queries in person, by telephone, or electronic means. Teaches/facilitates classes, seminars and events for adults related to children’s education. Oversees collection maintenance and shelf reading. Hosts HCLS branch tours. Manages community engagement in accordance with equity goals, including liaisons to A+ schools. Participates in special events in the community. Participates in professional training and development. Requires vigorous activity, including standing, jumping, stretching, singing and sitting on the floor. Maintains regular and predictable attendance. Adheres to all policies and procedures. Oversees staffing and building security on an assigned basis. May be required to serve as a passport acceptance agent. May be required to work the Customer Service Desk. Assists with closing and building security on an assigned basis. Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements: EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: Four-year college degree. Minimum of two years supervisory experience. People skills – ability to work effectively with others and enjoy it. Exemplifies extraordinary customer service skills. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
Demonstrated ability to be positive, adaptable, and forward thinking. Demonstrated passion for working with the public, especially with children. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships. Working knowledge of HCLS’ collection in all formats available.
Thorough knowledge of children’s materials. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines. Ability to promote children’s curriculum throughout the county. Demonstrated ability to motivate people, build teams, and to lead groups, committees, and other planning structures. Knowledge of the community and current events; Tech savvy – ability to use programs/processes such as the Internet, specialized online research tools, office applications, as well as other library related programs. Current valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS. Job allows for some variance in work routine and considerable amounts of standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling and sitting. In addition, strenuous activity is required, such as carrying bags or boxes of books (weighing up to 30 lbs.) or arranging rooms for classes and events.

Position: Senior Cataloger
Location: Howard County Library System
Salary: $44,004 – $77,161 per year

Originally posted on the Maryland Library Association listserv.

Responsibilities: RESPONSIBILITY Positions Howard County Library System (HCLS) as a major component of public education for all ages. Ensures HCLS’ educational mission achieves its racial and social equity goals. Effectively lives the Seven Pillars of HCLS’ strategic plan (Authentic Values, Strategic Vocabulary, Everyone a Leader, Winning Teamwork, Community Partnerships, The Power of Us, and Fiercely Loyal Customers), motivating others to do so as well. Advances HCLS’ educational mission, effectively communicating our curriculum, which comprises Three Pillars (Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, Instructive & Enlightening Experiences).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Performs original cataloging for all types of materials when no LC MARC or OCLC cataloging is available. Performs copy cataloging for all types of materials when LC MARC or OCLC cataloging is available. Assigns Library of Congress Subject Headings and Dewey Decimal classification numbers. Assigns local call numbers to compact discs, talking books, and DVDs. Edits bibliographic records in accordance with AACR2 using MARC 21 tagging and Polaris Library Systems software. Performs authority work for name, series, and subject headings. Provides expertise for Cataloging staff on MARC 21 tagging and coding and updates of cataloging trends. Lead contact to resolve HCLS cataloging problems and answers cataloging questions. Researches and provides analytical assessment of cataloging best practices to Materials Management Manager. Identify cataloging anomalies in the HCLS portfolio. Identifies or determines cataloging strategy for new and innovative collection items. Participates as cataloging authority of HCLS projects and initiatives that require collection items. Develops and implements annual system wide training program on HCLS’ cataloging process and methodology, as well as industry updates. Performs monthly analysis of the cataloging output and productivity measures. Participates and represents HCLS on industry discussions regarding cataloging techniques and trends. Analyzes cataloging best practices, library service trends on the national, state, and local level to provide library and commercial cataloging techniques and recommendations to improve findability and speed of books to shelf. Provides resource recommendations to the Materials Management Manager. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned. Maintains regular and predictable attendance. Adheres to all HCLS policies and procedures.

Requirements: M.L.S. and a minimum of three-year cataloging experience. Experience using AACR2, LCSH and the USMARC formats. Knowledge of national and local standards such as MARC, RDA, AACR2r, LCSH, LCCS, OCLC, LC cataloging practices, and other appropriate cataloging and metadata standards. Knowledge of current cataloging practices. Ability to input and retrieve data accurately. Ability to search, organize, and record bibliographic data with accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to work independently and make sound decisions. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team effectively. People skills – ability to work effectively with others and enjoy it. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships. Excellent analytical skills. Ability to use sound judgment and diplomacy. Demonstrated experience working with Polaris, an ILS software. Tech savvy – proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and social media. Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for diversity in cultural and ethnic values materials. Demonstrated experience multi-tasking and managing varying levels of responsibility with short deadlines. Valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS: Job allows for variance in work routine and considerable amounts of standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and sitting. Job requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, and driving. In addition, strenuous activity is required such as lifting cartons of books or moving heavy furniture, equipment, and packages, up to approximately 50 pounds while using appropriate equipment to assist such as a hand truck.