Library Specialist - Reference

Job Title                     Library Specialist (Reference)

Wage                         $29.38 - $31.77 hourly (2025)

Reports To                  Manager, Public Services and Programming

Department                Community Services

Location                     Lindsay Library

Hours                        35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, seven (7) hour per day. May be required to work varied and additional hours: day, afternoon, evening, and weekend hours. Combination of general office environment and travel throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes to various library branches, in accordance with job requirements. Attend meetings, conferences and departmental emergency situations, which may be outside of normal business hours.

Job Brief

This position will provide specialized support in Reference, with a focus on promoting a welcoming and inviting library environment that meets the strategic direction set forth by the Kawartha Lakes Public Library Board.

Job Description

General duties, applicable to all incumbents:

• Stay abreast of library trends and issues through professional development, meetings, reading industry-related periodicals and specialized literature as well as review of industry-related social media platforms
• Plan and develop, and when necessary deliver, new and existing library programs for all audiences and ages
• Promote library services to the public through content designed for various marketing channels such as: social media, website, events, and demonstrations
• Act as an effective liaison between the library and the community and seek opportunities to meet and interact with local community leaders
• Provide relief duties at the circulation desk, as requested

Specialized duties:

Reference

• Develop and maintain special collections, including the bibliographic database
• Create, collect, and report usage statistics and collection profiles using analytical software
• Provide team members with resources for maintenance, training, and troubleshooting in the use of library hardware, electronic resources, computers, and electronic devices
• Instruct and provide general support to the public in microcomputer applications and personal mobile devices and reference resources, both one-on-one and in group settings

As a member of the professional team:

• Administer procedures and recommend solutions to challenges or process improvements
• Complete continuous research and analysis of industry trends and issues to make recommendations to management and remain current in area of specialty
• Respond to customer service concerns, investigating, problem solving and responding within defined processes and advancing to the attention of the supervisor, as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with others to deliver the outcomes as defined; report any challenges to the supervisor
• Maintain documentation, databases and corporate records in accordance with policy and divisional practice; consider legislative municipal requirements such as the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
• Provide data to allow reporting and decision making
• Procure services and goods as authorized by the supervisor
• Provide other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma in Library Technician or a related field
• Minimum two (2) years of related progressive experience, preferably in a municipal environment
• Ability to collaborate and work with diverse groups of people and various community organizations
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of electronic library systems, electronic information resources systems, and digital devices
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with the practices, procedures, and techniques of Library Science
• Effective oral communication and strong interpersonal skills; excellent written communication skills; attention to detail and accuracy
• Demonstrated customer service skills at a level to develop and maintain cooperative/collaborative working relationships both within and outside the organization
• Demonstrated time-management skills with the ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Ability to demonstrate initiative consistently with a commitment to quality improvement, and sharing of process improvement initiatives with management
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and tact and maintain a high degree of confidentiality at all times, complying with all applicable privacy legislation and local policies and procedures
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, the internet and any other related software
• Possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence or the ability to frequently attend work related activities at various sites within the municipalities or at other sites within Ontario
• Upon a conditional offer of employment, an acceptable Criminal Record Check will be required