Residence Requirements:

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS:  CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY  FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY  AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. There is one vacancy at the main/Central library of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill future vacancies in this title and any other title deemed appropriate by the Erie County Personnel Commissioner. 

Examples of Duties:

A System Circulation Manager is responsible for management of Borrower Services at Central Library and guidance in the execution of system-wide circulation policies and procedures; 
Oversees operation of Central Library Borrower Services;
Oversees the scheduling of subordinate staff;
Oversees and supervises work of subordinate staff;
Organizes procedures for registration, check-out and return of library materials, overdue notices, delinquency records, etc.;
Responsible for handling complaints of patrons, including settling matters arising from disagreements concerning damages, lost or overdue materials, exercising independent judgment;
Advises staff system-wide on circulation policies and procedures;
Administers Borrower Review Program;
Coordinates with outside debt recovery service in the recovery of outstanding overdue materials, fines and fees;
Responsible for development and implementation of system-wide circulation training;
Prepares, outlines and implements training of subordinate staff;
Responsible for software testing and evaluation prior to implementation of circulation system upgrades; and
Assists in review, updating and execution of system circulation policies and procedures. 

Qualifications:

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

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree and two years of experience in library clerical work including one year of supervisory* experience; or

B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two year college or university with an Associate's degree and three years of experience in library clerical work including one year of supervisory* experience; or

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

Notes:

NOTES:   1. *Supervision – Responsible direction and control of subordinate employees.  This involves the assignment of work, approval of work, training, evaluation and discipline of employees.  The supervisory aspects must be an integral part of the job, not incidental or occasional.  2. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time 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.

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. Fundamentals of working in a library

These questions are designed to evaluate the candidate's knowledge about the common terms and concepts used in various sections of a library (e.g. Circulation, Reference, Technical Processing, etc.); the procedures associated with shelving, storing, checking out and receiving library materials; and the proper methods of using equipment commonly found in a library and of handling, processing and storing library materials.

2. Name and number checking

These questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters, and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions.

3. Office record keeping

These questions test your ability to perform common office record keeping tasks. The test consists of two or more "sets" of questions, each set concerning a different problem. Typical record keeping problems might involve the organization or collation of data from several sources; scheduling; maintaining a record system using running balances; or completion of a table summarizing data using totals, subtotals, averages and percents. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function of your cell phone.

4. Public contact principles and practices

These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact with other people, to gather and present information, and to provide assistance, advice, and effective customer service in a courteous and professional manner. Questions will cover such topics as understanding and responding to people with diverse needs, perspectives, personalities, and levels of familiarity with agency operations, as well as acting in a way that both serves the public and reflects well on your agency.

5. 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.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators.  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.