Positions avail w/WA State Lib, Olympia

[Jeanne Crisp]

Washington State Public Library Connectivity Project
Pre-Recruitment Announcement
July 1997

The Washington State Library is recruiting for talented, motivated people for 
the Public Library Connectivity Project.  It is anticipated that 3.5 FTEs
(Full Time Equivalent positions) will be added to the existing project staff.
The new FTEs will represent combinations of the skills and expertise described 
below.   

Anticipated start date:  September 15, 1997; sooner if possible.
Deadline to submit materials:  AUGUST 15, 1997

The Washington State Library*s Public Library Connectivity Project is an 
effort to place public Internet workstations in every public library 
building in the state and to ensure that all library staff receive 
sufficient assistance and training to guarantee the successful integration 
of this technology into the library*s services to customers.  

An exciting aspect of this project is the State Library's collaboration
with the Libraries Online project, funded by the Gates Library Foundation.  
In cooperation with the Foundation, different training and installation 
methodologies will be tested.  Data gathered will be used to shape the 
Libraries Online project across the nation.  

The Public Library Connectivity Project is underway with guaranteed funding 
through September 30, 1998. An approximation of the amount of time each 
position will require is noted below.  A candidate may apply for any 
combination of jobs that best matches his or her talents and experience.  
All project staff will work together as a team; the team will be augmented 
by staff from other State Library teams who are also doing work considered 
part of the overall project.  

Here is a brief description of tasks to be accomplished and of skills and 
experience we hope candidates will bring to this project:

PROJECT COORDINATOR (.5 FTE)

Tasks:

* Coordinate and manage the efforts of 5 FTEs who will work as a team 
to achieve the project goals.  The Washington State Library is a
team-based, non-hierarchical agency.
* Identify and secure support from stakeholders
* Market the project
* Write articles, make presentations about the project
* Monitor results, create and disseminate reports 
* Allocate project resources
* Develop project budget plan
* Establish and maintain information on each library*s state of connectivity
* Set up official project files
* Interact with agency administration

Skills required or desired for this position:

* Ability to integrate the project with other agency initiatives and workload
* Library knowledge, particularly public libraries, is highly desirable.  

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (1 FTE)

Tasks:

* Provide training opportunities to library staffs on bidding and negotiating 
for telecommunications services
* Prepare a handbook for local libraries on how to apply for discounts
* Establish a communication system to keep libraries informed about the 
current status of information
* Keep abreast of emerging information and issues
* Establish State Library positions on key issues
* Work with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to 
develop consumer information for libraries as consumers of telecommunications 
services
* Consult with libraries on how to secure telecommunications services and 
assist libraries with submission of their plans to the FCC
* Provide for distribution of information on Washington state*s K-20 network
* Consult with libraries related to their participation in Washington
state's K-20 network
* Work with the K-20 Technical Working Group to set standards for public 
libraries in the K-20 network
* Serves as the WSL's designated expert/consultant and spokesperson on
legislative and policy issues related to telecommunications
* Provides recommendations to the library community on telecommunications 
policy and rate issues.
* Independently plans, prepares, coordinates written and oral testimony 
to regulatory bodies or the legislature on  telecommunications issues 
affecting libraries

Skills required or desired for this position:

* Ability to analyze legislative or regulatory issues related to 
telecommunications
* Experience with political process, including local, state, or 
federal legislative processes or regulatory processes
* Experience providing testimony or responses to formal orders
* Background in telecommunications issues and rulemaking procedures 
is critical
* The successful candidate will be able to *translate* telecommunications issues so that public library staff can understand the issues and the library*s options
* Library knowledge, particularly public libraries, is highly desirable

TRAINING, CONSULTING (2 FTEs)

Tasks: 

* Ensure that information about the project, including training materials, 
documents to assist with technology planning, and data about the project, 
appear on the agency's Web page
* Establish personal contact with all library directors in order to be 
aware of their library's needs and to inform them of training and granting
opportunities
* Make site visits to several dozen libraries in order to promote the 
project, including speaking to library boards or governing agencies as needed
* Consult with libraries - grant opportunities, feedback on their grant 
applications 
* In connection with the Washington Assistive Technologies Association, 
develop planning materials for library staff related to accessibility issues
* Develop planning materials for ESL users
* Assist libraries with development of Internet policies
* Identify and implement information sharing methods that will support 
connectivity beyond the duration of the project (e.g., a listserv)
* Provide for training classes on long-range planning, future hardware 
needs, Internet policy issues, computer security,  current and future 
networking technologies, basic and advanced Internet searching, 
train-the-trainer, web page creation, etc.
* (Training may be delivered by project staff, or project staff may
contract for others to provide the training, or it may be handled by a 
combination of these methods)
* Provide on-site training and assistance for each library that 
participates in the project.  This will involve one or more visits 
to each location, and is expected to occupy a major portion of one 
project staff's time.
* Assist local libraries to locate training resources

Skills, qualifications required or desired for these positions:

* At least one of these positions will require an MLS.  If not required, 
an MLS will be highly desirable.  Knowledge of libraries, especially 
public libraries, will be expected of anyone hired for this project

* Willing to travel
* Able to submit reports electronically
* Advanced information technology and troubleshooting skills 
* Knowledge of adult learning styles
* Knowledge of and experience with on-the-job training techniques 
and practices
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Knowledge of and experience with learning needs assessments, development of learning objectives  

Salaries for this project will range from $2405 - $4126 or higher, depending 
on the skills and experience of the people hired and the mix of 
responsibilities that they assume.  An excellent benefits package is 
also included.  

The Washington State Library is an equal opportunity employer.  Women, 
racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, Vietnam era 
veterans and disabled veterans are encouraged to apply.  Persons 
needing assistance in the application process, or those needing 
this job announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-704-5245.

Direct all questions about the project or the job descriptions to 
staff listed below.

Submit a letter of interest along with a resume, BY AUGUST 15, 1997 to:

Jeanne Crisp, jcrisp at statelib.wa.gov, 360-704-5255
PO Box 42460, Olympia, WA 98504-2460
FAX 360-586-7575

OR

Doreen Turpen, dturpen at statelib.wa.gov, 360-704-5204
PO Box 42460, Olympia, WA 98504-2460