Reference Librarian Job Description
Established in 1802, Jenkins is the nation’s first law library. Jenkins is a membership library and also functions as the county law library for the city and county ofPhiladelphia, providing services to attorneys, the judiciary, government offices, students, scholars and other researchers as well as the general public. As an employer, Jenkins is known for its family-friendly policies, competitive salary, excellent benefits, and pleasant working conditions.
General Description of the Position:
Under the direction of the Research Services Manager, the Reference Librarian is part of the team responsible for providing advanced research support to members, using a variety of approaches, and for providing guidance to self-represented litigants visiting the library.
The Reference Librarian interacts directly with library users by responding to information requests and providing individual training. The Reference Librarian provides additional support to our users by contributing to content and/or tools to aid in the research process.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Reference
- Provide reference service to members and self-represented litigants in person,via email and on the telephone.
- Perform both on demand reference and in-depth research.
- Perform legal and related non-legal computerized research, using the library’s databases, government websites and the internet.
- Perform research using the library’s in-house collection, including both print and microform resources.
- Provide instruction and guidance for use of library catalog, legal databases, legal research methodology and procedures.
- Assist users with print resources.
- Contribute content to Jenkins’ Blog and other social media platforms.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining Jenkins LibGuides.
- Assist self-represented litigants at the Philadelphia Family Court Help Center.
- Compile legislative histories.
- Help in the testing of new electronic research services.
- Assist users with computers and other equipment.
- Assist with conducting library tours and orientations as needed.
- Assist in Document Delivery and Interlibrary Loan units as needed.
- Write articles relating to the profession as needed.
- Keep current with the profession through readings and classes.
- Participate in library projects (bibliographies, indices, shifting, etc.).
Other Duties as assigned
Minimum Education Required: ALA accredited M.L.S.
Minimum Experience Required: Entry-level position.
Skills/Abilities Required:
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to think independently and creatively while filling multiple requests under strenuous time constraints
- Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a team setting, while also being a self-starter
- Excellent customer service skills
- Ability to work with diverse library users of varying levels of skill and understanding
- Dependability, punctuality, and a sense of humor
Equipment/Software Used: Adobe Acrobat, GIMP, Google
Analytics/Docs/Drive/Email, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Sierra ILS, web browsers.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $48,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: One location
