PAY RANGE: EP17
LIBRARIAN 2
(Children’s Services)
(Bilingual)
(General)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is library work at the full performance level, providing library services in a municipal library system for library branches, city departments or agencies, library reference collections, and the processing function. Employees in this class are allocated to the General Specialty or to the Children’s Services Specialty. Employees in the General Specialty may perform work in the assignment areas of Adult Literacy, Consumer Health Information Service, Early Childhood Learning and Literacy, Information Technology, Rare Book Cataloging, and Senior Citizen Services. Employees are responsible for servicing reference desks, providing assistance to library patrons, reviewing and evaluating library materials or digital services and making recommendations concerning purchase of materials for the library system. Employees in this class also give talks to the community on library services, cooperate with special projects and work with Friends groups and volunteers, plan and conduct library programs, and describe and classify books and other documents. Work includes supervising, in the absence of a Library Supervisor for a moderate duration of time, library activities and services including the provision of reference and reader advisory services, technical services or cataloging. Work also includes providing technical direction to lower level staff and/or volunteers engaged in library activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level librarian.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following condition must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
A position in this class must work at the full performance level providing library services in a municipal library system, for library branches, city departments or agencies, library reference collections, and the processing functions.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
BOTH SPECIALTIES
Reviews and evaluates books, periodicals, pamphlets and electronic resources; makes recommendations for possible book purchases by the library; chooses books and materials for inclusion in collections.
Searches literature and electronic resources for information on specific problems or subjects; gathers, analyzes and relates information from a variety of sources in response to reference and readers advisory requests.
Studies books to ascertain primary subject matter and proper treatment; assigns descriptive subject headings; identifies primary and secondary subject areas; develops and/or refines records in international bibliographic utilities for use in local and shared databases; checks shelf lists to prevent duplication of catalog numbers; classifies, codes and otherwise describes sheet music and other documents.
Supervises library services and activities in the absences of Library Supervisor by preparing work schedules, ensuring patrons' reference and reader advisory requests are addressed in compliance with library procedures and policies, ordering and processing library material and/or instructing other employees how to apply cataloging rules and formats.
Utilizes a computer to search and retrieve information materials needed to assist patrons.
Removes worn and obsolete materials from collections and selects material for rebinding.
May provide technical direction to lower level staff and/or volunteers engaged in performing library activities.
Performs related work as required.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES SPECIALTY
Gives talks before schools and community groups on services and facilities offered by the library; presents book talks and reviews; conducts children's story hours.
Develops and conducts library programs; works with community leaders and others to develop program activities such as science in the summer, summer readings and LEAP programs for patrons, schools and the neighboring community.
GENERAL SPECIALTY
ADULT LITERACY ASSIGNMENT
Instructs patrons in the use of print and electronic resources that promote adult literacy; collaborates with Mayor’s Commission on Literacy and literacy providers in the design and implementation of audit literacy and job readiness programs; reviews, evaluates and selects print and electronic resources that support classes and independent learning in adult literacy and job readiness skills; conducts classes in adult basic literacy, GED and English as a Second Language; promotes adult literacy and job readiness services provided by the library to community organizations; surveys communities on the need and type of adult literacy and job readiness programs for library planning purposes.
CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICES ASSIGNMENT
Provides consumer health information at the point of service in response to requests for information on health related topics; offers current, reliable, accurate sources of consumer health information in multiple formats, languages and reading levels; prepares lists of print and electronic resources on health related topics; assesses community needs and plans scope of service for library programs; makes presentations to community groups to promote and market library consumer health information services and resources, health fairs and programs; forms strategic partnerships with public libraries, medical libraries, local hospitals and universities, community groups and government agencies to identify health information needs; participates in local health-related coalitions and community activities; develops a local portal of health agencies and services for the library website; develops health reference skills of Free Library System librarians; serves as liaison to Library’s Healthcare Advisory Council.
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND LITERACY ASSIGNMENT
Selects print and electronic resources to promote the development of learning and literacy skills in young children; collaborates with School District of Philadelphia, and other city departments and child advocacy organizations to design and promote programs for young children; researches best practices in early childhood development, literacy and learning; designs library programs to promote learning and literacy skills in young children; designs and evaluates training for librarians in services to young children; speaks to community groups to promote library services for young children.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Develops department’s website content, web catalog or online public access catalog, digital services; participates in website planning and evaluation.
Manages development of new and existing web projects; provides oversight, orientation, assistance and support to staff for digital services; recommends digital services, web site development and program content and evaluation; prepares narrative and statistical reports.
May contact staff and representatives of outside organizations to promote services and assist in accomplishing program goals.
Programs, codes and scripts new and unique applications in appropriate languages; analyzes new and existing applications for errors; tests and debugs new and existing applications; scripts web pages using current and versions of HTML and other scripting and authoring web languages; designs and maintains new and uses existing relational databases for web pages that can be searched, browsed and act as data-input interfaces on the department’s web site.
RARE BOOK CATALOGING ASSIGNMENT
Provides original cataloging or enhances existing cataloging of manuscripts, incunabula, rare books and materials and modern fine press books; develops and refines records in international bibliographic utilities for use in local and shared databases; advises and assists in developing and updating rare book cataloging policies and procedures.
SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES ASSIGNMENT
Provides targeted reference and information services and selects library materials to meet the informational and recreational reading needs of senior citizens; searches, analyzes and integrates literature and electronic resources; assists senior citizens in the use of technology and electronic resources to facilitate independent information gathering; collaborates with Mayor’s Commission on Aging, government agencies and non-profit organizations that serve senior citizens in the design and provision of library programs; gives presentations to community groups and senior residence associations to promote library programs for senior citizens; performs work in the Parkway Central Senior Services Center or neighborhood branch libraries.
BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Performs the above-mentioned duties in one of the specialty areas with members of the English language speaking and designated non-English language speaking populations.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF
BOTH SPECIALTIES
• the philosophy and objectives of public library service and its relationship to the community
• the organization and resources of municipal library systems
• the principles, practices, objectives and techniques of library science
• reference and readers advisory service and techniques
• the methods of disseminating information concerning public library objectives
• the principles of major classification systems and rules for bibliographic description
• principles of subject analysis and sources of bibliographic data
• public speaking techniques
• website design, conventions, web-based information and content issues for the Information Technology Assignment
• library digital services and online public access catalogs for the Information Technology Assignment
GENERAL SPECIALTY
RARE BOOK CATALOGING ASSIGNMENT
• Latin and one other foreign language
• bibliographic terminology and description, collation and other relevant cataloging issues of rare book cataloging
SKILL IN
ALL SPECIALTIES
• public speaking
• researching and evaluating print and electronic resources
• coalition-building to support literacy initiatives
GENERAL SPECIALTY
RARE BOOK CATALOGING ASSIGNMENT
• the application of cataloging reference guides, standards and policies
• the use of local integrated online library systems
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
• scripting languages including HTML, XML, JavaScript and Cascading Stylesheet functionality
ABILITY TO
BOTH SPECIALTIES
• use evaluative thinking in performing job tasks
• accomplish assignments in accordance with precedents and well-defined policies
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and library patrons
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statements represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 6/15.)
EDUCATION:
Possession of a fifth-year degree from an accredited school of library science, which has included course work in library services for children.
EXPERIENCE:
One year of librarian experience specializing in children's services.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS
EDUCATION
Possession of a fifth-year degree in library science from an accredited college or university.
AND
EXPERIENCE
One year of librarian experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN THE GENERAL SPECIALTY:
NOTE: Preferred qualifications for all assignments are in addition to the fifth-year degree in library science from an accredited college or university and one year of librarian experience.
Adult Literacy Assignment
Preferred Education: Completion of a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university in Education OR Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL) Instruction.
OR
Preferred Experience: Documented experience as an adult literacy tutor equivalent to one year.
Consumer Health Information Services Assignment
Preferred Education: Completion of a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university with major coursework in health sciences or related field.
OR
Preferred Experience: One year of experience providing health services or health information and referral services.
Early Childhood Learning and Literacy Assignment
Preferred Education: Completion of a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university with major coursework in elementary education, child psychology, child development or related field.
Information Technology Assignment
Preferred Education: Completion of a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university with major coursework in information systems, computer science, or related field.
OR
Preferred Experience: One year of experience which includes the use of relational databases in developing web content, web-based statistical packages, or standard markup language for web platform development.
Senior Citizen Services Assignment
Preferred Education: Completion of a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university in gerontology.
OR
Preferred Experience: One year of full-time experience providing targeted library, health, social service or information and referral services to senior citizens.
Rare Book Cataloging Assignment
Preferred Experience: One year of post Master’s experience in rare book cataloging.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific assignments in the General Specialty. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification - the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with one or more of the specified qualifications to fill specific positions in this class in the General Specialty. Certification to fill such positions will be made from the two highest-ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified qualifications in the assignment area.
NOTE: Child Protective Service Law requires FBI criminal history background check as well as the PSP criminal history background check and Pennsylvania child abuse background check as a condition of employment.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Class Est.1/53
Spec. Revision:
CSC - 12/98
Ad Board - 1/99
Spec Revision:
CSC – 10/13
Ad Board – 11/13
Spec. Revision:
CSC –6/15
Ad. Board – 6/15
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 6/19
Ad. Board – 7/19
JL