Full Time Librarian 2, Mercer County Library System, Hopewell Branch
Please accept this announcement of the anticipated vacancy in the title of Full-Time Librarian 2, at the Hopewell Branch, Mercer County Library System. This full-time, 35-hour per week position, requires one evening per week (currently Tuesday evening) and Saturdays in rotation.
The Hopewell Branch presents an excellent opportunity for a dynamic, self-motivated candidate to bring their vision to adult services. The successful candidate should be enthusiastic; possess strong external and internal customer service skills; be able to multi-task (for example, work on branch projects while also staffing the reference desk); show initiative, consideration, flexibility and efficiency. The successful candidate would not only maintain current standards of service but would bring new ideas and innovation. Strong organizational, program management, and communication skills are essential. Willingness to be part of a team environment and collaborate with other departments in the branch is a must.
This position primarily exists to provide adult services, reference services, programming, and outreach to a diverse community. The candidate should expect to exchange ideas, information and opinions with supervisors and co-workers to develop programs and procedures to provide high quality service to the Hopewell Valley community.
Examples of duties include, but are not limited to:
- Coordinating, arranging and implementing branch adult programming (in-person and passive) and its publicity
- Assisting patrons of all ages with information needs (searching the library catalog, accessing databases, readers’ advisory, etc.)
- Assisting patrons with technological and electronic resource needs (assisting patrons on public PCs, helping patrons navigate Virtual Branch resources)
- Scheduling adult services staff for the branch
- Assisting with training new adult services staff
- Participating in weeding and collection development strategies for adult and reference collections
- Researching and booking virtual programs determined by the system’s rotational schedule
- Serving as moderator for virtual programs as needed
- Seeking out and participation in outreach activities
- Participation on system committees (specifically the adult programmers’ committee)
- Overseeing and implementing exam proctoring services
- Participating in the planning and implementation of the adult summer reading program
- Participating in fulfilling the branch social media requirements
- Participating in system-wide initiatives
- Developing department goals to improve/implement/expand branch service to the community
- Writing posts for the Mercer County Library System blog
The position also includes systemwide social media duties:
The Social Media Librarian develops, implements, coordinates, maintains and analyzes the social media strategy in a collaborative environment.
The focus of the library system’s social media strategy is to serve the patrons and member communities of the Mercer County Library System – emphasizing services, resources and programming available – and to improve virtual communications with our public. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Contributing to established social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Pinterest, GoodReads).
- Evaluating the efficacy of the system social media accounts.
- Researching new platforms to grow the system’s virtual reach.
- Taking part in system committees and meetings.
- Performing outreach activities.
The staff member who takes on social media duties would be responsible for investigating and managing the social media strategy for MCLS and its patrons; executing and contributing to social media activities (tweeting, sharing, posting, engaging, liking, increasing social reach); communicating in a professional, but unique social media voice; creating virtual media campaigns to target patron or non-patron groups; staying ahead of the curve and engaging in research and review of new library media strategies. It will also require being aware of copyright law as it pertains to clip art, pictures and photos, as well as confirming photo permission from outside sources and our patrons (patron permission is normally done at the branch level, but this position would have to ensure permission was obtained prior to using a photo online).
The staff member would work across departments and the system, including with the Information Technology Department, and Library Administration, in creating an enhanced virtual presence for the library system. Collaboration with branch managers and system-wide supervisors would also be necessary, and likely on a one-on-one basis to glean information on how this position can best serve their specific communities, while keeping in mind a system-wide benefit and approach. A few examples of this may be assisting a manager to advertise a specific program, Friends’ activity, membership recruitment, or event; working with the Youth Services Coordinator to create interest in the summer reading program; or creating posts to alert patrons to a policy change or service (e.g. LinkedIn Learning, Kanopy).
An MLS/MLIS from an ALA accredited institution and a New Jersey Librarian’s Certification are required, as is having served one year in the title of Librarian. This Civil Service title is covered under AFSCME local 3566. The current 2022 salary range for the position is $45,060 to $73,444.00. Full time employees earn sick, personal and vacation time, and are eligible to receive holiday pay.
The County of Mercer adheres to a strict residency requirement. Residents of Mercer County will be given first priority during the interview process. Out of County residents will be required to move into Mercer County within a year of employment. All applicants are subject to pre-employment testing: drug, physical and criminal background checks. EOE/AA/ADA Employer.
Applicants will be accepted until a candidate is selected. Only those applicants selected to be interviewed will receive notification.
Résumés may be submitted care of:
Ellen Brown, Library Director
Mercer County Library System
Lawrence HQ Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
email: director [at] mcl.org
fax: (609) 538-1206