The Georgia Historical Society is my "new" place of employment, and it is a
great work environment!

This announcement calls for 5 years of experience, but GHS is very flexible
for the right person.  Feel free to contact me at:
[log in to unmask]  if you have any questions.

~alison~


POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - PLEASE POST OR CIRCULATE
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS REFERENCE LIBRARIAN
Announced January 24, 2008
The Organization
Chartered by the Georgia General Assembly in 1839, the Georgia Historical
Society is a private, non-profit organization that serves as the historical
society for the state of Georgia. GHS is the oldest cultural institution in
Georgia and one of the oldest state historical societies in the nation. For
nearly 170 years, GHS has fulfilled its mission to collect, preserve, and
share Georgia’s history by presenting a variety of educational programs,
authoring publications on Georgia and southern history, and by operating a
library and archives at its statewide headquarters in Savannah.
Position Summary
Working independently and on a self-initiated basis, the Special Collections
Reference Librarian is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of
the Library. Responsibilities include: providing first-rate reference and
information services; ensuring professional and appropriate patron
relations; managing Reading Room resources; and working with others to help
meet the organization’s strategic goals and objectives. This position is
comprised of 60% reference work and 40% management of the library and other
duties. This full-time position is a Tuesday–Saturday employee.
Job duties and responsibilities
The statements below describe the scope of responsibilities and essential
job duties of this position, but should not be considered an all-inclusive
listing of work requirements. Incumbent may perform other duties as assigned.
♦
Management of the Library on a daily basis: provide a monthly schedule of
reference desk shifts for the Library and Archives Department staff; manage
reference staff and volunteers; evaluate and organize library resources;
enforce reading room procedures with staff and patrons. Suggest changes to
policy, procedures, and library collateral as appropriate. Work with others
to ensure proper equipment, security, emergency, and disaster procedures.
♦
Work under the guidance of the Director of the Library and Archives to
establish goals, develop work plans, etc. Participate in planning and work
with the entire Georgia Historical Society staff to ensure integration of
library/archives component into the mission and goals of the Society.
♦
Responsible for the oversight and fulfillment of incoming reference requests
in a variety of formats (e-mail, telephone, in-person, and postal mail).
Compile and maintain a file of frequently asked or difficult to answer
reference questions to expedite satisfying subsequent requests for such
information. Ensure a timely turn-around response by: logging and sorting
incoming requests; monitoring response times; delegating requests as
necessary; ensuring payment for research requests; and maintaining
statistics on reference requests for monthly and annual statistic and
project reports. Ensure maintenance of all reading room and reference
request statistics.
♦
Use the integrated library system including OPAC acquisitions and
cataloguing modules in daily workflow. Accession and catalog books,
microfilm, and serials for the Library & Archives.
♦
Collection development duties: select and seek approval for library
resources for purchase including books, serials, and microfilm. Work with
vendors as appropriate. Inform management of possible gaps in collection
based on reference requests/patron feedback/other. Suggest materials for
deaccessioning and participate in periodic weeding of designated portions of
the collections as directed. Ensure serials/periodicals/books/microfilm
maintenance as needed. Schedule and implement routine shelf reads.
♦
Present and schedule special programs, orientations, tours, and other
instructional activities to extend library
services and facilities across the State of Georgia.
♦
Draft and review proposals, solicitations, fundraising promotional
materials, grant reports, etc., related to funds for the Library and
Archives as directed by senior staff.
♦
Ensure merchandise is stocked and available in Reading Room. Comply with
audit required inventory procedures. Assist with Book Sale outreach,
acquisitions, organization, and set up/tear down.
♦
Manage volunteer program including recruiting, screening, and supervising.
Supervisory responsibilities
Reference Assistant, interns, and volunteers.
Experience/Skills Required
Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Demonstrated ability to work independently
and as a part of a team, to organize and prioritize work, and to act with
initiative and good judgment. Must be a self-starter with flexibility and a
willingness to get the job done. Commitment to customer service and role of
primary source documents in scholarly research a must. Ability to establish
and implement goals and priorities and communicate with supervisor as
appropriate. Must be able to work well under pressure and with attention to
detail. Must represent GHS in a professional manner and be able to work well
with diverse groups of people including patrons, board members, donors,
volunteers, and staff.
Education: ALA-accredited Masters of Library Science, a concentration in
special libraries preferred.
Required Experience: Minimum of five years professional experience in
library/archival repository; special collections library preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of reference services and resources (including
electronic resources) and 3-5 years of supervisory experience. Knowledge of
advanced computer systems and ability to learn new technology and adapt to
change.
Preferred Experience: Familiarity with genealogy resources, automated
systems (particularly EOS), OCLC, Library of Congress classification scheme,
and MARC 21 bibliographic records. Familiarity with accepted conservation
and preservation methods in rare book and manuscript collections. Knowledge
of Georgia history a plus.
To Apply
Send cover letter and resume to:
Attn: Special Collections Librarian
Georgia Historical Society
501 Whitaker Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Fax: (912)651-2831
Email: [log in to unmask]
No phone calls please.