Position Announcement (St. Louis, MO area)

[Brett Pfingston]

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR, 

Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County, Missouri. 

The eight member Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County (MLC) has
an immediate opening for a full time Systems Administrator to manage the
software and hardware of the consortium's shared computer system
(Ameritech/DYNIX), and oversee catalog integrity of the shared
bibliographic database. Other duties include training (both on-going and
for new employees) on the Dynix system; assisting libraries with
maintenance of Local Area Networks 
and PCs; and working with the MLC's Board of Directors to incorporate
technology in the Consortium's long range planning. 

The Consortium is comprised of eight independent public libraries and
serves a combined population of 125,000 with a collection of over 575,000
volumes. The host computer is located at the University City Public
Library, in suburban St. Louis, where the successful candidate will be
based. Some travel among the closely located member libraries is expected
so a valid driver's license is needed. 

The position requires a Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library
school with an emphasis on technology and/or cataloging; experience with
managing LANs and PCs; knowledge of MARC record formats, Windows, Windows
NT, and UNIX; excellent written and verbal skills; teaching proficiency;
and the ability to work well both independently and with others. 

Knowledge of Ameritech's Dynix system is preferred (modules in use include
PAC, Circulation, Cataloging and Cataloging for Windows, Acquisitions,
Serials, and DebtCollect, with WebPac planned for implementation soon). 

Salary negotiable from $33,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Benefits include three weeks paid vacation and excellent health insurance
(including dental and vision). 

Send a letter of application, resume, and references to Linda Ballard,
Director, 
University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., University City MO
63130, 314-727-3150 (voice), 314-727-6005 (fax),
e-mail:prx002 at mail.connect.more.net . Position
open until filled. Further details on the position follow: 

Primary responsibilities 

Ensure that library automation is used to its fullest potential and plays a
positive role in each staff member's daily work, rather than a source of
frustration and stress. 

1). Provide fast, friendly and effective troubleshooting by phone, over the
network and in person. 

2). Provide complete training on the system for each new employee. 

3). Provide ongoing training for all staff 

4). Provide training manuals and procedures for each staff position 

5). Meet the particular needs of Technical Services staff, including : 

     Ensuring that system defaults best meet their needs 
     Creating Cataloging Workforms to make cataloging more efficient 
     Adjusting MARC editing controls as the MARC standard changes 
     Providing for efficient downloading of MARC records 
     Automating ordering and invoicing whenever possible to increase
efficiency and reduce "busy work" 
     Providing for "batch processing" using Recall whenever possible 
     Providing accurate reports 

6). Meet the particular needs of Reference staff, including : 

     Creating effective sorting and limiting options 
     Working with staff and Dynix to create necessary indexes 
     Working with online database vendors 
     Assisting with special projects, such as New Books Lists, as needed 

7). Meet the particular needs of Administrative staff, including : 

     Refining "canned" reports to suit each library's needs 
     Providing customized reports using Recall 

Ensure catalog integrity 

1). Chair Consortium-wide cataloging committee to establish, refine and
enforce shared cataloging procedures 

2). Maintain authority files 

3). "Remapp" the way MARC records are converted to Dynix records as MARC
standards change and the needs of each
library change 

Ensure system stability and security 

1). Run Dynix, Universe and UNIX utilities on a regular basis (see attached
maintenance schedules) 

2). Create and enforce password policies while making the passwords as
unobtrusive as possible without compromising
security 

3). Provide ongoing security checks within UNIX for signs of hacking 

4). Work with MOREnet to monitor Wide Area Network telecommunications 

Other important duties and responsibilities 

Work with Consortium Directors to incorporate technology into both the
Consortium's and each library's long range planning 

Plan for upgrades and system changes 

Facilitate communication among Consortium staff 

Assist each library with maintenance of Local Area Networks and PCs 

Stay abreast of changes in technology as it affects libraries 

Serve as a liaison to community and governmental groups involving issues
related to technology in libraries 

Apply for technology grants, including ongoing E-Rate participation 

In general, provide a "system-wide" perspective for Consortium Directors