The Nevada State Library, Archives & Public Records is seeking a Reference Librarian in the Carson City area to provide professional reference services, support public access to collections, and contribute to the library’s online and digital initiatives. Working as part of the Access Services team and reporting to the Access Services Manager, this position serves as the library’s primary professional reference lead, providing advanced research assistance using NSLAPR collections, including government documents, archival materials, digital resources, maps, and other specialized materials. Responsibilities include service desk coverage, assisting patrons with complex inquiries, and guiding users in effective search strategies, resource evaluation, and discovery tools. Beyond reference work, the librarian coordinates the library’s public-facing web presence related to library collections and services. Responsibilities include maintaining Access Services webpages, guides, and finding aids; serving as the point of contact for staff website onboarding, accounts, and permissions; and supporting the usability, consistency, and accessibility of public-facing library content in alignment with institutional standards. While individual units are responsible for maintaining their own content, this position provides coordination and support for shared web access points. The Reference Librarian also supports digital access to NSLAPR collections by helping maintain digital exhibits, organizing and presenting online content, and monitoring digital materials and webpages for accessibility, broken links, and accurate public display. This work is carried out in close collaboration with Technical Services staff, including Cataloging and Government Publications, to support discoverability, organization, and alignment with metadata and access standards. The position participates in cross-unit coordination, communicates effectively with colleagues regarding workflow needs and project status, and contributes to shared initiatives that strengthen access, discovery, and the overall user experience.

Librarians are typically assigned to the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR) Division and perform a broad range of professional level duties in support of a library that organizes and provides access to a wide selection of materials in a variety of formats. Incumbents perform administrative work in planning, coordinating and directing activities within one or more functional areas of the library including, but not limited to, acquisitions; cataloging; reference; circulation; collection maintenance; serials; document delivery/interlibrary loan; government documents; library services for the blind and physically disabled; and/or statewide library development.
Master's degree in a program accredited by the American Library Association and one year of professional library experience] which included a combination of at least three of the following: original cataloging/metadata, reference, e-resources, social media, government publications and/or collection development; OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university which included 21 semester credits in library studies and two years of professional library experience as described above; OR Associate's degree from an accredited college or university which included 21 semester credits in library studies and four years of library experience as described above, three of which were at the professional level; OR graduation from high school or equivalent; 21 semester credits in library studies; and seven years of library experience as described above, four years of which were at the professional level; OR one year of experience as a Librarian I in Nevada State service which included 21 semester credits in library studies; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above which included 21 semester credits in library studies.
Librarians are typically assigned to the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR) Division and perform a broad range of professional level duties in support of a library that organizes and provides access to a wide selection of materials in a variety of formats. Incumbents perform administrative work in planning, coordinating and directing activities within one or more functional areas of the library including, but not limited to, acquisitions; cataloging; reference; circulation; collection maintenance; serials; document delivery/interlibrary loan; government documents; library services for the blind and physically disabled; and/or statewide library development.

Perform informational needs assessments and develop library collections appropriate to the mission of the library; review new materials, study publishers’ lists and stay abreast of current review sources to select material in all formats; develop and implement collection development policies including assessing donations for inclusion in the collection.

Participate in developing policy recommendations regarding the organization, access and delivery of information; provide training for paraprofessional staff regarding policy implementation; plan for print and current and emerging technologies and related electronic resources to accommodate growing and/or changing library collections and library environments.

Respond to requests for information from State agencies, researchers and the public; confer with patrons to determine the type and scope of information desired; use research techniques, knowledge of information resources and technology to locate resources and provide information or materials; assist patrons in the use of resources and equipment; refer requests to subject specialists as appropriate.

Perform original cataloging, advanced copy cataloging, and metadata to provide electronic access to bibliographic records and retrieval or access to materials in the library’s collection; evaluate books and other materials to determine subject matter for proper classification; prepare authority records for loading to the local automated library system; consult with systems coordinator to maintain integrity of shared bibliographic databases; act as resource person for cataloging and metadata inquiries within the State.

Establish, develop and maintain statewide resource sharing agreements for interlibrary loans, reciprocal borrowing, consortial information and resource sharing; establish and participate in regional, national and international information sharing.

Develop, manage, and implement programs and projects for statewide library development; provide consultative services, advice and technical assistance to other libraries, agencies of the State, political subdivisions, planning groups and other entities and organizations.

Design and develop the library’s website; ensure electronic access to the library collection by patrons and other libraries.

Manage the development and organization of the State Publications Distribution Center and Federal Depository Library; review federal publications distributed through the depository system to maintain current knowledge of the collection; review and select new material for the collection; evaluate the collection to purge outdated publications and determine which non-depository items will be added to the collection; monitor changes in State and local government; ensure documents are received in compliance with statute; receive, catalog, process and distribute documents.

Using public relations techniques and communications, promote information services and coordinate activities with other agencies; inform library users and non-users of new and traditional materials and services available through the library.

Monitor and evaluate the changing information needs and desires of both library users and non-users; stay abreast of trends and changes in the provision of contemporary library and information services including e-resources and social media.

Evaluate resources and make continuous improvements in library services, programs and activities.

Train, supervise and evaluate the performance of professional, paraprofessional and support staff as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under general direction, incumbents perform all or part of the duties described in the series concept and may supervise professional, technical or library support staff. This is the journey level in the series.
This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Working knowledge of: professional library principles, methods, materials and practices; professional ethics, including copyright and intellectual freedom issues; review sources and collection development principles and practices; legal and regulatory environments of libraries; appropriate computer hardware and software applications for library functions and services; how people communicate needs, search for and receive information; established cataloging rules and formats; the national, regional and State system for interlibrary loans.

General knowledge of: principles and practices of training and providing work direction to others.

Ability to: establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within and outside the library; read and critically evaluate descriptive and instructional materials; research, plan and implement new programs and services; participate in agency, department and statewide planning; develop and implement appropriate organizing and classification schemes; function as an information librarian in most environments; apply evaluation criteria to select appropriate research sources; train and supervise staff as assigned; establish work priorities and delegate assignments; market and promote library services and information.

Recruiter Contact Information: Sharhea Noble-Muir - SharheaNM@admin.nv.gov