Rare Book Curator-BUFFALO & ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Modified: January 18, 2018 12:54pm

COUNTY OF ERIE - DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL
invites applications for the position of:

Rare Book Curator-BUFFALO & ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

#60-888 - Open Competitive (open to the public)

Salary: $45,777 - $56,711 Annually
Opening Date: January 18, 2018
Closing Date: February 7, 2018
Application fee: $20.00

Residence Requirements:

THERE ARE NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS EXAMINATION. This eligible list will be used to fill one vacancy in the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System.

Examples of Duties:

A Rare Book Curator-Buffalo and Erie County Public Library supports the development and expansion of the collaborative efforts to the preservation, conservation and access of Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s special collections and rare book materials;

Applies and promulgates standards and best practices in providing access to archival, special and rare materials collections through digitization, reproduction of materials, subsequent support catalog finding aids, catalog records and other descriptive methods;

Creates and coordinates exhibitions, public programs and publications that promote the use of B&ECPL special collections, and works with community groups, organizations, and institutions to provide access to materials;

Conceptualizes and plans content for selective digitization of archival materials;

Provides hands-on support for the arrangement and description of archival, special and rare book collections;

Identifies and validates key collections;

Develops methods for maintaining and tracking statistical records of unit operations and use of collections;

Assists the Office of Development and Communications in outreach efforts to promote the use of collections, particularly collaborative efforts for public display use, and to facilitate effective working relationships between the Library and external agencies;

Uses archival database applications, web-based technologies, digitization technologies and standards and metadata standards (specifically DACS, MARC, and EAD);

Supervises subordinate employees;

Engages in professional development opportunities, including professional association activities.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test: 

Master of Archival and Records Administration or Master of Library Science/Master of Library and Information Science from an American Library Association-accredited program, with a graduate certificate in Special Collections, and two (2) years experience rare materials and/or archives management.

Notes:

1.This position requires bending, lifting and the ability to lift and carry materials up to 40 lbs.

2. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements.

3. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.
All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

Examination date:

March 17, 2018

Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By:

February 7, 2018

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

 

Subjects of Examination:

SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Educating and interacting with the public

These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.

2. Principles & Techniques of Handling, Using, and Preserving Archival Materials

This tests your knowledge of the principles and techniques necessary for the proper handling, using and preserving of archival materials. It includes, but is not limited to, such areas as physical upkeep and preservation of materials, including documents, books, photographs, and other materials, such as those used for genealogical and other historical research.

3. Preparing written material

These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.

4. Supervision

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.

5. Understanding and interpreting written material

These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and noton what you may happen to know about the topic.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  It is recommended that candidates use a quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculator.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.