Work at my Library: Hiring a Head of Circulation
July 13th, 2010
The Head of Circulation at my library is retiring, so maybe you should apply. The details are below and on the Massachusetts library jobs board, but what they don't tell you is that every other week the circ desk has "treat Tuesdays" - very tasty.
Institution: Chelmsford Public Library
Job: Head of Circulation Services – Dept. Head level
Duties/Description:
This full time, 37 1/2 hour per week position is for a versatile, friendly librarian skilled in customer service, reader's advisory and personnel management. Must also have strong technology skills. Schedule includes one night and every other weekend. Job responsibilities include the following: Hiring, training and supervision of approximately 30 part-time library assistants, pages and volunteers. Directing, supervising, scheduling, and participating in tasks at the circulation desk. Explaining library lending policies and procedures.Qualifications:
MLS required, related Bachelor's degree preferred; experience working with the public required. Should have working knowledge of current fiction and popular culture. Candidate must be open to change and trying new ideas. Must be comfortable managing conflict. Candidate should enjoy interacting with public of all ages and must be able to adapt smoothly to patron demands. Experience working with an ILS critical, interest/experience with open source ILS management desirableSalary:
Starting salary will depend upon education and experience. Range is: $41,243 to $65,598.Closing Date:
Applications in by July 16th get first consideration, open until filled.Send:
Applications should be e-mailed to bherrmann@mvlc Applications may also be submitted to Becky Herrmann, Library Director, Chelmsford Public Library, 25 Boston Road, Chelmsford MA 01824.
The Chelmsford Federation of Teachers, Local 3669, represents this position. The Town of Chelmsford is EEO/AA Employer
July 13th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Wow, 37.5 hours is full time?
Maybe I should have gone for my MLS instead of my JD… I suppose it’s never too late, is it?
July 13th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
That’s a wonderful quirk about town employees, having something to do with paid/unpaid lunch breaks. 40-37.5 = 2.5 = 5 thirty-minute lunch breaks per week. It’s one of those dumb things that I never bother to care about or understand.
Another is that my library is unionized, and everyone is forced to join the union because the union covers everyone. However, you can pay dues at “voting” and “non-voting” levels. so even though I don’t want to be in the union and have no say in what they do, since what they do affects me they still take money out of my check.
July 14th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Hi Brian,
just for my own interest – how many years study do you do for an MLS in the US, and how many subjects?
July 14th, 2010 at 10:52 am
@alison: I got my degree (MLIS) through Kent State University SLIS, and their program requires 36 credit hours – I started my program in June 2004 and finished in August 2005, going full-time.
I’m not exactly sure what you mean by how many subjects, but they do list requirements for graduation. Different schools and programs might have different requirements, and a little more general information is available at Wikipedia and the American Library Association.
July 14th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
@liz
Did you finish your JD? Most law librarian positions want both an MLS and JD. (Though some ask for an MLS OR a JD.)
July 14th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
@Ian: Nope, still working on it – though I know that our school, along with offering a shortened LLM in conjunction with a JD, offers a shortened MLS. For now, though, I think I’ll take it one degree at a time. 😉 Thank you very much for the heads up though!