Position DescriptionJoin a library system engaged in community-driven services to deliver an innovative and exciting future to residents of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Tacoma Public Library (TPL) serves over 200,000 residents in Tacoma.
We are seeking talented individuals to join our team, who:
- Are strongly committed to listening to our community in order to deliver valued, needed and highly used library materials services;
- Are committed to working to support and deliver high quality, innovative, customer-focused services;
- Are passionate about racial equity and social justice;
- Have demonstrated success in building collaborative, high performing teams and operations in partnerships across departments;
- Have a vision and understanding of youth services with an eye to both current and future needs;
- Are customer-focused; excellent communicator;
- Are results-oriented and committed to collaboration.
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all Tacoma Public Library employees. All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices.
If you believe that the Library can empower the community by bringing people together to discover, connect, create, learn, and thrive, your next position may be at TPL! We welcome applicants of all abilities.
Position SummaryWe are seeking an Outreach Librarian to strengthen library connections with the Eastside and Hilltop neighborhoods of Tacoma. This position will prioritize public engagement through interactive programs of interest to the community, amplifying the Library's programming offerings by working with community partners, and conducting attendance development activities to cultivate new audiences and engage existing audiences through creative programming that enriches lives. Programming can include Storytimes, author talks, tech help, film screenings, STEM or STEAM programs, and other interactive events. This position also provides collections access, technology help, and reference support to these neighborhoods.
The Outreach Librarian will: engage communities and event space partners to coordinate outreach planning and implementation, including scheduling, logistics, and promotion; develop outcomes data to evaluate programming and collections to assess quality and to determine improvements; and develop responsive collections that reflect each community's interests. The position works collaboratively with all entities involved in public programming and collection development; makes connections and builds relationships with relevant community organizations and individuals; develops a highly-personalized outreach strategy for collections and public programming; works with the Library's Public Information Officer to develop marketing strategy; and stays abreast of national dialogue about innovative public programming, reference, reader's advisory, and outreach services best practices.
QualificationsMaster of Library Science (MLS) or a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from an accredited library school, or currently enrolled in such a program with completion within 6 months of hire.
Desired Qualifications:- Experience building partnerships with local organizations and schools to meet the needs of the community
- Established relationships with the Hilltop and Eastside communities or similar communities in other cities
- Experience identifying challenges facing communities and developing tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, workforce and economic development, digital equity and race and social equity
- Experience designing and delivering services to support positive reading comprehension, digital literacy, and STEM literacy outcomes for youth
LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS- A Washington State Librarian's Certification is required within 60 days of hire
- Depending on assignment, a Washington State Driver License, or proof of equivalent mobility, may be required
- Appointment is subject to passing a background check
Knowledge & SkillsKnowledge of:- Public service theory and practice
- Principles and practices of modern library science and the techniques used in library classification and cataloging
- A wide variety of reference tools/resources and ability to apply successful search techniques
- Publications and resources for the selection of library materials
- A variety of authors, titles and genres, in print and non-print formats
- Good communication and English grammar
- Training and public speaking
Skills:- Project a good public service attitude
- Converse with the public in person, online, and by phone
- Handle public contacts with tact and courtesy
- Work well with a diverse population of library patrons, including children, students, adults, businesses and the community, as well as with other staff
- Assess problems and to recommend actions to improve the delivery of public service
- Demonstrate good analytical skills and reasoning ability
- Demonstrate sound judgment in applying and interpreting library policies and procedures
- Interpret a variety of questions and relay information accurately
- Operate the integrated library system (ILS)
- Navigate the internet and use online resources
- Operate a personal computer and a variety of computer programs and software on computer workstations, including Microsoft Word, Excel and other standard business applications
- Maintain currency in library technology
- Instruct patrons in the use of a variety of library equipment
- Operate and perform minor maintenance on a variety of library equipment
- Demonstrate good professional judgment in the development and maintenance of library collection
Selection Process & Supplemental InformationInterested individuals who meet the minimum qualification for this position must apply online. Your application should include job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their materials reviewed for interview consideration.
This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the Tacoma Public Library and Local 120. Individuals given a conditional offer of employment must also pass a background check. New employees must successfully complete a six month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.
Tacoma Public Library Stands Against Racism and White Supremacy
Tacoma Public Library is opposed to white supremacy in all of its forms and is committed to fostering an organization that is actively anti-racist. We believe that Black Lives Matter. We are grieving with our black community and all communities of color who continue to be harmed by institutionalized racism. We are committed to being a trusted community resource available to all and will provide resources and public programs that seek to reflect the values of anti-racism and elevate the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Tacoma Public Library
Tacoma Public Library (TPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for more than 125 years. TPL's neighborhood libraries originated with Andrew Carnegie's visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century and are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service--and vital community hubs--that continue to provide far more than free books and materials.
Learn more about the Tacoma Public Library and the services we provide at www.tacomalibrary.org and connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn to stay up to date on exciting things happening at the library, and to be notified of other career opportunities with us.
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, call the Human Resources office at (253) 591.5400 befor
e 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement. Insurance Plans: You may participate in one of several group health insurance programs. Employees and their dependents are covered by a medical-surgical-hospital plan, vision plan, dental plan, and employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance and Deferred Compensation options are also available.
Employees are covered by the State Industrial Insurance Act.
Paid leave: Library Employees are entitled to receive paid holidays, and Personal Time Off (PTO).
Retirement: All employees of the Library except part-time Pages, temporary employees, and certain project employees, are included in the City of Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacorna.org or by calling (253) 502-8200. All members of the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System are also covered by Social Security.
The Tacoma Public Library is not a department of the City of Tacoma and the Library's employees are not employees of the City. The Library is a separate entity with its own governing body. The Library's governing body is the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees.
Employees of the City of Tacoma who accept employment with the Tacoma Public Library will lose their City of Tacoma employee seniority. They will also find that their leave accruals, and some of the benefits enjoyed as employees of the City of Tacoma do not carry over when they are hired for a position with the Tacoma Public Library.
Closing Date/Time: 7/19/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
