[Genealib] Geneaology Librarian opening in western Canada

[Kenneth Aitken]

Dear colleagues,
My former employer just posted my position at Regina Public library, Regina,
Saskatchewan, Canada. I believe under the North American Free Trade
Agreement librarians holding a masters in libraryscience or library  and
informaion science can work either side of the border.

Here are the details

*JOB CATEGORY**:*             Librarian

 *JOB CLASSIFICATION**:*            Reference Specialist – Prairie History
and Genealogy

***PAY BAND:*                        12   (Canadian  $45,282 to $54,
378  equivalent
to US$ 40,752 to $48,941 )

 *JOB SUMMARY:***

 Under the supervision of the Reference and Independent Learning Unit Head,
the Reference Specialist shares responsibility for the provision of direct
client information services at Central Library and for the supervision of
staff members involved in the delivery of these services. The Reference
Specialist is also responsible for planning, delivering, and evaluating
programs, for collection development, and for training staff in reference
services and within areas of specialized knowledge.

 *JOB DESCRIPTION:*

 1.            Develop and provide the delivery of readers' advisory, ready
reference, extended reference including electronic formats and on-line
searches, and other direct client services.

2.            Develop and evaluate the Prairie History Room Collections by
selecting materials for purchase, advising the Collection Coordinators on
unit budget needs, weeding, developing, conserving and maintaining
collections and files relevant to the delivery of service.

3.                  Plan and conduct in-service training workshops in the
provision of reference services.

4.                  Plan, develop, deliver and evaluate, independently or in
cooperation with other units or agencies, programs designed to educate the
general public about family, genealogical and local history and historical
research methods and resources.

5.                  Supervise staff on shift at the reference desk and
assume responsibility for the building on evenings and weekends.

6.                  Provide the Unit Head written feedback on staff
performance.

7.         Advise the Unit Head on such matters as staff, materials, and
operating and capital budget requirements.

8.         Build and maintain positive internal and external working
relationships with members of library staff, clients and outside agencies.

9.            Develop, implement and evaluate procedures as they relate to
the Prairie History Room under the direction of the Unit Head.

10.            Develop and maintain contacts with local history and
genealogical organizations to

            promote local history and genealogical services, and ensure the
relevancy of collections

            and services.

 11.       Provide feedback in the planning, development and maximization of
the Prairie History Room by maintaining an awareness of current developments
related to local studies librarianship, genealogy and local history.

12.       Advise the Unit Head about emerging technologies related to
library services and resources.

13.       Plan and coordinate the promotion of the Prairie History Room
collections and services and the production of Prairie History publications
in co-operation with Public Relations.

14.       Participate in the planning and development of the goals and
objectives of the library as

            applied to the Reference and Independent Learning Unit.

15.       Carry out other duties essential to the achievement of efficient
public service operations

            as required.

 *REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE**:*

 1.         A Master of Library Science degree from an accredited school of
librarianship.

2.         A minimum of three years progressive experience as a professional
librarian.

3.            A minimum of three years progressive experience and training
in the application of the

            principles of genealogical and historical research.

4.            Knowledge of and experience with database searching and the
Internet.

5.            Demonstrated ability to train, motivate and direct staff in
the performance of their duties.

6.            Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationships at all levels.

7.            Experience in the preparation of narrative and statistical
reports and budget.

8.            Demonstrated ability to assume responsibility and to perform
duties requiring

            independent judgment, initiative and discretion.

9.            Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally
and in writing.

10.         Demonstrated ability to work effectively and autonomously within
a team environment.

11.         Demonstrated ability to plan and implement new programs and
services.

Here in a nutshell is my own description of the unit: The Prairie History
Room holds collections of local and regional history covering about 1/4 of
Canada: the three prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The collection consists of about 16,000 titles. Strengths are in community
history, fur trade history and genealogy reference. There were about 9,000
patron visits last year. There is one professional librarian, full time. A
part time library assistant who holds a BA and has 22 years experience in
the room Normally she works 20 hours a week. There are  two part time
clerks. One works 25 hours a week, the other about 18. The collection is
open seven days a week.

The unit has a reputation for effective genealogy programming  in the
community. During my 22 years on the job about 30 % of my time was involved
in collection management, about 25% was involved in programming and
promotion. There is a space problem right now and little relief in sight for
the next 5-10 years. So a careful watch on collection to fine tune it,
without major increases in books.  At present there are no subscription
based databases like Ancestry Library Edition or Heritage Quest, but there
is a willingness to look at these seriously.

During my time there was almost no close supervision of my work. I did
pretty well what I wanted and reported monthly. However that may change as
staff changes are going on in both leadership and frontline staff.

Regina is a very reasonable place to live. Housing is probably the cheapest
you'll find in a Canadian city. The city has about 190,000 people. Schools
are great. here is a university and a technical institute in the city.
Health care  is great. No one needs to be without health care coverage even
bag ladies and assorted down town characters are covered.  The Library
offers a pretty good dental plan too.

If this interests you,   check it out.  The library's website is
www.reginalibrary.ca.  After you've done a bit of research, if you have
questions I might be able to help. --
Kenneth G. Aitken, MLS
Family History Education Services
Regina, SK  Canada
kgaitken at gmail.com

Check out my blog!
www.genealogy-education.com<http://www.genealogy-educarion.com>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.acomp.usf.edu/pipermail/genealib/attachments/20060507/cdbc8a71/attachment.html