Business Unit Description

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

Policy, Research and International Affairs (PRI) serves AARP by leading the development and articulation of AARP's public policies, research and insights on the 50+ and issues that matter to them, importing best global practices, and strengthening AARP's reputation for world class expertise and thought leadership.

Summary

The Sr. Technical Research Services Librarian position is a hybrid between technical and reference services. It will be an integral part of the AARP Library and Strategic Services (L&SS) team, providing critical technical services management, including the selection, acquisition, access and maintenance of print and digital information resources as well as research and reference services across the organization. This position will provide actionable research deliverables on issues of strategic importance to the Association and will take a key role in the implementation, launch and maintenance of a variety of innovative services including OverDrive, Virtual Reality (VR), and other emerging technologies.

This position reports directly to the Director of Library & Strategic Services.

Responsibilities

• Manages all aspect of technical services within the Library
• Oversees scheduling and general daily operations at the Library Reference desk
• Provides reference service at the Library Reference desk as required
• Supervises or performs cataloging and classification of all materials; provides accurate bibliographic authority, item description, and classification of materials by creating and maintaining MARC records in the ILS (EOS.Web)
• Leads the selection and acquisition of materials for the Library's collections (books, journals - print and digital, databases and equipment)
• Leads in implementing, marketing and providing training on the use of new technologies including OverDrive and Virtual Reality
• Leads in providing in-person and virtual orientations and trainings to Staff
• Manages and provides secondary research and synthesis with key insights on projects with broad Association impact
• Prepares and delivers presentations, summaries, reports, and graphics to internal clients
• Contributes to the Library's marketing and promotional activities across the enterprise
• Contributes and serves as lead in the management, design, maintenance of metadata and Knowledge Management (KM) solutions
• Manages vendor relations and negotiates contracts as required
• Manages the inter-library loan (ILL) and Copyright processes
• Participates in long-range planning process for the library, including recommending changes or improvements and developing new types of policies, services and operations
• Develops and maintains professional standing through a variety of methods, including participation in professional organizations, which may include presenting papers at conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields

Requirements

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution and a minimum of five (5) years related experience
• The ideal candidate may be a solo librarian who is well rounded in both technical and reference services
• Knowledge of current best practices in technical and reference services, metrics/analytics is required
• Demonstrated experience in project management, and ability to adapt to changing priorities and tight timeframes, with a high degree of comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess strong analytical, detail-oriented, organizational, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of cataloging principles, practices, Knowledge Management Systems, and Integrated Library Systems (knowledge of EOS is a plus)
• Knowledge of OverDrive and other innovative library technologies is strongly preferred
• Experience with taxonomy development, database structure is required
• Knowledge of SharePoint is a plus
• Demonstrated knowledge of search technologies, databases (EBSCOhost, LexisNexis) and concrete, advanced information retrieval techniques
• Demonstrated familiarity and comfort with public speaking and/or bibliographic instruction
• Enthusiastic commitment to customer service
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively

Benefits Offered

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.