Memory Lab Librarian - 40 Hours

JOB
JOB NUMBER: 2023-00230King County Library System (KCLS) in Washington State is seeking a community-oriented and collaborative Memory Lab Librarian to provide service in the Bellevue and Federal Way libraries. This temporary position will serve until December 2028.Internal KCLS applicants: If selected for the position, KCLS will hold your current position for the duration of this temporary position. The Memory Lab Librarian will lead the creation of two Memory Labs at the Bellevue and Federal Way Library Makerspaces. This role will serve as project manager of the project and will work with established community partners, internal and external stakeholders, to recruit, gather, and create a digital archive of patron stories from two focus audiences: Japanese Americans and their descendants displaced from their homes and farms in the Bellevue area during World War II and the stories of immigrants and refugees who now call King County home. This position represents KCLS within the community, building collaborative relationships, programs, and services in partnership with community members and organizations. Librarians also help to manage KCLS materials to meet the educational, recreational, and information needs of the community. These positions provide patrons with basic technological and in-depth informational assistance. Successful candidates will: Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in public service.Value building collaborative relationships with community members and organizations, as well as colleagues across KCLS.Be responsive to the emerging needs of King County residents, developing and delivering programs and services that reflect the unique needs of diverse populations.As a Memory Lab Librarian, you’ll be helping KCLS keep pace with expanding communities and rapidly changing technologies. More importantly, you will have an integral role in upholding KCLS’s longstanding tradition of exceptional service.This role will regularly travel between Bellevue Library and Federal Way Library, as well as meet with community groups all over King County. Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses why they are interested in the position and how they meet the qualifications listed. About King County Library System (KCLS): KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons. Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 library locations and in community engagement using direct outreach and virtual assistance. Our service area includes the cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language.The King County Library System is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. KCLS values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. KCLS encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. As part of this commitment, KCLS provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position.To request accommodation please call 425-369-3224.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Essential Duties/Major Responsibilities: Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents, however, and do not include all specific tasks an incumbent may be expected to perform.Creates, develops, directs, delivers, and evaluates relevant services and programs, including co-creating programs with the community.Develops relationships and partnerships with community-based organizations, including civic, business, education, and cultural communities.Engages with the community and target service population (using many delivery methods. Promotes the use of materials, services and programs to the community.Participates in community activities by providing information, answering questions and discussing community needs for services. Represents the Library and makes public presentations.Identifies and stays current with service area and understands their informational needs and interests. Plans and organizes information for use by service population. Identifies future needs and trends for information services.Provides and responds to in-depth readers’ advisory, informational and specialty service questions. Provides depth of knowledge in specialty area or skill set such as children’s, teen and adult services. Assists and educates patrons in the use of library technology resource.Promotes and supports Intellectual Freedom principles with staff and patrons. Resolves related concerns or redirects to appropriate source.Promotes and supports KCLS’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values with staff and patrons. Centers the experiences of people and communities who are most affected by structural inequities when engaging in programming, partnerships, and information services work.Mentors, trains, and models for other staff. Works closely with the Public Services Assistant (PSA) position in support of excellence in informational and readers’ advisory services.Creates and provides relevant and timely communications.Participates in collection development and maintenance activities.Secondary Duties: Initiates, participates and collaborates in the library profession beyond KCLS. Maintains professional expertise in order to provide relevant public service.Initiates, participates and collaborates with KCLS staff on projects and committees.Participates in activities such as staff meetings, committee work and trainings.Performs other related duties, as assigned.Core Competencies: Customer FocusPrimarily focused on customer needs, able to deliver high quality, value added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.Valuing DiversityManages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably; respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn from differences.Ethics, Values, and JudgmentExercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct; consistently demonstrates organizational values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character and action. Defends intellectual freedom and patron confidentiality.Professional & Technical KnowledgeDemonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills/ and or knowledge in position-related areas; purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to foster personal success and connections for others.Interpersonal SavvyRelates well to all kinds of people at all levels, both internally and externally; builds appropriate relationships; interactions are often purposeful and constructive.Dealing with AmbiguityCan shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without the total picture; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty, does not exhibit excessive need to control or track, can ‘let go’ and move forward in uncertainty.Organizing and PlanningEstablishes courses of action for self, can influence others to ensure that work is efficient, appropriately sensitive to real restraints on time and resources. Willing to take a risk.Teamwork/CollaboratingWorks cooperatively and productively with others to achieve goals and deliverables. Is aware of, utilizes and celebrate their own and team member’s strengths and differences.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL DEMANDSWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly using hands to grasp objects, frequently finger/keyboarding. The employee will frequently stand and walk and reach up to chest level with hands and arms and up to frequently will bend. Occasionally squats, kneels and sits on floor and will seldom crawl. The employee will frequently lift/carry 10 pounds, occasionally up to 20 pounds and seldom up to 50 pounds and up to frequently push/pull carts using light force.WORK ENVIRONMENTWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly using hands to grasp objects, frequently finger/keyboarding. The employee will frequently stand and walk and reach up to chest level with hands and arms and up to frequently will bend. Occasionally squats, kneels and sits on floor and will seldom crawl. The employee will frequently lift/carry 10 pounds, occasionally up to 20 pounds and seldom up to 50 pounds and up to frequently push/pull carts using light force.