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Pre-Professional Assistant

Detroit Public Library
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GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under the close supervision of a coordinator, agency manager, or assistant manager serves as an entry level librarian, gaining experience in library procedures and librarian responsibilities, while earning a Master’s degree in Library/Information Science.

 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Actively promotes and supports the library’s marketing strategies and activities
  • Assists in maintaining an awareness of and fosters relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations in the community as they relate to the agency and the library as a whole
  • Contributes to an environment where staff delivers quality customer-responsive service
  • Provides customer service 
  • Assists in the selection, processing, maintenance and/or organization of the collection 
  • May assist in planning and conducting special projects and/or programs
  • Assists in assuring that work areas and/or buildings and grounds are properly and safely maintained 
  • Serves on DPL committees, participates in professional organizations, and maintains awareness of current trends

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree and enrollment in an ALA accredited Master’s degree program for Library/Information Science (MLIS)
  • Demonstrated satisfactory progress towards a MLIS
  • Commitment and ability to work with and serve a staff and community with diverse cultural, educational and experiential backgrounds
  • Ability to work with internal and external customers in a professional, friendly and cooperative manner
  • Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to embrace change
  • Significant practical experience working with computer systems 
  • Ability to develop good reference skills
  • Ability to develop a knowledge of print and electronic reference sources 
  • Ability to develop a knowledge of significant authors, associations and publishers of books and reference sources relative to the agency 
  • Ability to develop an understanding of different classification schemes for library materials
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Good work record and attendance record
  • Physical and mental capacity to perform all aspects of the job

 

 

Required Skill in:

  • Interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Finding answers to general reference questions.
  • Library research techniques, including the use of technology.
  • Database records management.
  • Problem solving and decision-making.
  • Presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
  • Working cooperatively with internal and external customers in a professional, friendly and cooperative manner.
  • Responding to inquiries in effective oral and written communications.
  • Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports. 
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with Library and department staff, board members, outside agencies, and the general public.

 

 

Required Licenses or Certifications:

  • Must have a valid State of Michigan Driver’s License
  • Verification of enrollment in a MLIS program (transcript required)

 

 

Physical Demands / Work Environment: 

  • Work is performed in a standard library environment.
  • Subject to sitting, standing, walking, stair climbing, reaching, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.
  • Must be able to push/pull library carts and lift/carry library materials.