PURPOSE: To connect with staff and the community in a meaningful manner that invites ... opposed to passively waiting fo
MAKERSPACE COORDINATOR Department: Reports to: Job Status: Grade:
Adult Services AS Department Head Full-time; Non-exempt II
PURPOSE: To connect with staff and the community in a meaningful manner that invites and encourages creativity and exploration in our Makerspace. QUALIFICATIONS: Master’s Degree from an accredited school. Knowledge of the Maker Movement and its impact on libraries. Advanced knowledge of and experience with equipment commonly used in makerspaces such as 3D printers. Experience working with the public one-on-one and in a group setting. Prior experience in a makerspace preferred. Must be willing and able to work days, evenings, and weekends. ATTRIBUTES: Understands the public library’s mission to meet the community’s needs for information, lifelong learning, and recreation. Organized, detailoriented, and accustomed to multi-tasking. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and a friendly, helpful, and tactful demeanor. Works productively with minimal supervision. Exercises initiative, assumes responsibility, and handles difficult situations effectively. Comfortable working with children, teens, and adults. Possesses an aptitude for various technologies and is comfortable troubleshooting. RESPONSIBILITIES: Assumes a leadership role in carrying out the library’s mission with respect to the Makerspace. Supervises the overall operation of the Makerspace including children, teens, and adults as well as other staff members. Works directly with the Adult Services Department Head to identify equipment, activities, and programs for all ages. Coordinates staff training with Department Heads and outside vendors as necessary. Educates staff on new technological advancements and their implications for patron use of our space. Develops workshops to educate and train the public in the use of technology. Works with community organizations and attends community events to promote the library makerspace. Participates in library/networking professional organizations by attending conferences, reading journals, keeping abreast of trends in technology, and updating skills. JOB DUTIES: Initiates, plans, hosts, and conducts a variety of programs and activities to encourage the use of the makerspace by children, young adults, and adults. Supervises employees and patrons in the Makerspace. Manages the budget and resources for the Makerspace, including equipment, software, and materials.
Participates in the layout, installation, and operation of equipment. Establishes policies and procedures regarding safety, training, and access to equipment and materials. Oversees the safety and maintenance of equipment. Promotes the Makerspace through programs, services, technologies, outreach, displays, handouts, and other non-traditional means. Actively educates the public about materials, programs, and services, as opposed to passively waiting for them to come to the library. Creates both formal and casual sharing relationships/partnerships with other community organizations. Maintains and cultivates contact with the general community, the public, schools, teachers, organizations, other libraries, state and regional library associations, and other professional organizations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Capacity to effectively sustain relationships with staff, patrons, and outside organizations through excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to apply reason and logic in problem-solving, to collect and analyze data for reports, statistics, and decision making, and to think creatively about change and the Library’s future. Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner and maintain efficient workflows. Ability to adapt to new technologies and a willingness to stay current with technological changes that impact the materials and services we offer and how we do so. Exhibits a consistently positive attitude. Disposed to working effectively as a team member. Approaches Makerspace programs and services with innovation and creativity. Ability to effectively and persuasively convey thoughts and ideas to patrons, residents, and community organizations. Ability to relate to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires walking, standing, bending, sitting, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, talking, hearing, regularly working in front of a computer, and lifting large or heavy objects. Stamina is required, for example, to stand for prolonged periods of time, sometimes up to 8 hours in a shift. Must have high energy to deal with the public for sustained periods while maintaining positive and enthusiastic communication. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 12 months. This job description is a general guide to the duties and responsibilities of the position, and is not intended to list every possible task that an employee may be directed to perform.
