Library Specialist Senior Duties and Responsibilities
Purpose of Classification:
Utilizes a specialized knowledge of a subject, language or
discipline that applies to a variety of services in a technical
and/or public service area within the library. Provides two or more
services in a unit and/or utilizes a variety of automated systems
and print resources to provide access to a specialized area or
library collection. The Library Specialist, Senior may interpret
complex records for a variety of automated systems. This
classification may supervise staff employees and student assistants;
however, the majority of the duties performed are of a specialized
variety that are difficult and complex in nature.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is
the fourth in a series of four classifications and is distinguished
from the Library Specialist in that incumbents, at the senior level,
provide knowledge of a variety of automated systems or library
services and may act as the contact person in a unit or department
for an automated system or library service. The Library Specialist
Senior also has knowledge of a subject or language, which is applied
to library processing. This classification is distinguished from a
Library Supervisor in that the Library Supervisor spends the
majority of time on supervisory duties. The Library Specialist
Senior typically works closely with and is supportive of the
professional and administrative librarians. The classification
reports to a Library Supervisor, Senior Librarian or Department
Head.
Examples of Duties:
- Maintains a pre-determined budget and projects wages,
operations, library materials and deposit accounts; monitors
expenditures of a pre-determined budget for a library
department.
- Provides technical support for operation of library
automated systems for a library area or unit; maintains local
database and reviews new software and hardware; makes
recommendations for purchase and application in the department
and is the contact person to computer operations.
- Provides specialized reference service utilizing a high
level of expertise in a subject, language or discipline.
- Searches for library user requests not already found in
standard sources, which may include contacting specialized
library collections or agencies.
- Recommends acquisition of books, serials, media, maps and
microforms to a Librarian, based on review of professional
journals, advertisements, evaluative previews or faculty
requests.
- Evaluates the physical condition of materials in all
formats; applies established conservation standards and
techniques to preserve library material; creates bookbinding for
collections of artifactual value.
- Directs and coordinates a specialized cataloging and
processing procedure; performs the most complex level of copy
cataloging in all formats and in foreign languages including the
regular assignment of call numbers and subject headings;
resolves complex bibliographic problems; performs specialized
service in a foreign language, including cataloging, indexing or
other complex duties involved in providing access to a foreign
language collection.
- Analyzes printed materials and creates indexes or other
reference sources which provide access to a specialized area.
- Manages a specialized and complex section of a library unit;
performs the more complex and difficult work of the library
unit.
- Performs as contact staff person for a specialized unit;
confers with and advises staff, students and others to provide
technical advice and answers to complex questions; resolves
complex problems for a library unit and department.
- Supervises the complex duties of staff and students in a
specialzed unit.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of library practices and procedures.
- Knowledge of cataloging rules, regulations and resources.
- Knowledge of issues pertaining to area of assignment.
- Knowledge of budgetary principles.
- Knowledge of foreign language depending on area of
assignment.
- Knowledge of a variety of automated library systems.
- Knowledge of and skill in usage of various research
methodologies.
- Knowledge of supervisory practices and principles.
- Skill in the use of various reference interviews and
sources.
- Skill in coordinating a specialized library area in a public
or technical service unit.
- Skill in the use of a foreign language or languages
depending on area of assignment.
- Skill in both verbal and written communication.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree AND two years' progressively responsible library
experience; OR, Six years' progressively responsible library
experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or
education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have
been achieved.
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