Reader Advisor

Company: Missouri Secretary of State
Location: Jefferson City
Posted on: May 3, 2021

Job Description:

Description:

This essential position of the Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library serves as liaison and reading specialist to Missourians who are unable to use standard print materials due to blindness, visual or physical impairment, or a reading disability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Reader Services

• Use the Keystone Library Automated Service (KLAS) database to provide resources to citizens of Missouri with Print Impairments.
• Maintain personal contact with patrons, primarily by telephone and email, to make them at ease with the library service.
• Maintain patron confidentiality.
• Advise patrons on reading, recommending genres, authors, titles, and subjects.
• Treat patrons with sensitivity and courtesy; work flexibly and patiently with patrons with multiple disabilities, recognizing that some disabilities or medications affect behavior.
• Register new patrons promptly, verifying their information as well as thoroughly explaining library services.
• Cancel services for patrons promptly, when needed.
• Work with patrons regarding overdue materials.
• Provide administrative and technical support for the BARD (Braille Audio Reading Download) for patrons.
• Serve as backup for other Reader Advisor services as needed.
• Function as process specialist for assigned area that may include one or more of the following:
  • BARD and Transfer Specialist, NFB-Newsline Specialist, Technical Services Specialist (Copy Cataloging), Interlibrary Loan Specialist, and Institutional Specialist.
• Maintain an ongoing familiarity of the collection as well as the latest books and authors through review sources and interaction with peers.
• Actively participate in weekly Reader Services meetings and monthly Wolfner Staff meetings.

Collection Development

• Recommend titles needing duplication to ensure adequate number of copies available for loan.
• Recommend number of copies of books in all formats ordered from the National Library Service.
• Recommend materials for acquisition, using expertise and knowledge of patrons' needs.

Outreach

• Contribute to the Wolfner newsletter and other published public relations efforts.
• Participate as assigned to outreach programs, i.e., tours, exhibits, conferences, etc.

Patron Maintenance

• Document with patrons' status changes, i.e., address changes, profile changes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to comply with office and division work policies and procedures.
• Ability to explain full range of Wolfner services (i.e., machine operation, digital download, etc.) to patrons.
• Demonstrated competence in Microsoft Office suite of software.
• Ability to achieve competence in new computer technologies and application software.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Previous work experience, especially in libraries, is highly desirable.
• Excellent customer service skills.

The above job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The incumbent is expected to perform other duties necessary for the effective operation of the department.

Keywords: Missouri Secretary of State, Jefferson City , Reader Advisor, Other , Jefferson City, Missouri