Employment Opportunities

Are you passionate about working with children and teens? The Fort Smith Public Library is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Youth Services Library Assistant to join our team at the Main Library.  This position has a focus on teen programming and engagement.

In this full-time role, you’ll work closely with the Youth Services Librarian and other dedicated staff to support the vibrant Youth Services Department. Your contributions will help create a welcoming and enriching space for children, teens, and their families.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide friendly and efficient customer service at the circulation desk
• Assist children and teens with computer use and basic reference inquiries
• Organize and maintain collections through shelving and shelf-reading
• Support and help plan engaging programs for youth, with an emphasis on teen programming
• Offer reader’s advisory services to children and teenagers
• Create booklists and displays to promote literacy

Qualifications:

• Experience working with children and teens, especially in storytelling or educational settings
• Strong interpersonal skills and a positive, approachable attitude
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Comfortable using technology, including email, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and Canva
• Appreciation for diversity and the ability to connect with individuals of all ages and backgrounds

Schedule:
This is a full-time, salaried position with a 37 ½ hour work week.  The schedule is primarily Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., with one evening shift per week and one weekend shift every four weeks. Occasionally, additional evening or weekend hours may be required.

Education & Experience:
High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred. At least one year of relevant work experience and familiarity with general clerical duties are essential.

Minimum salary is $24,500/year plus benefits including paid sick leave, paid vacation after one year of employment, employer-subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance, and retirement.  Send cover letter and resume or cover letter and FSPL employment application to Tiffany DeVries at tdevries@fortsmithlibrary.org.  Click here to access the FSPL application.  Review of applications will begin Wednesday, October 8 and will continue until the position is filled.

The Fort Smith Public Library has an opening for a full-time Circulation Manager at the Main Library.  This individual works under the supervision of the library director and assistant director to provide strong and creative leadership of the FSPL’s Circulation Department and Dewey’s Cafe.

The Circulation Manager is responsible for coordinating, supervising, and performing duties for all aspects of the Circulation Department including circulation, interlibrary loan, and meeting room scheduling; interviewing, selecting, training, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating full-time and part-time staff; reconciling daily receipts and making bank deposits; planning programs for adults; and providing notary service.  The manager of Dewey’s Café also reports to the Circulation Manager.  As a member of the library's leadership team, the Circulation Supervisor also works with other department heads and the library director on library-wide projects, issues, and initiatives.

This individual must possess a friendly, positive demeanor, be comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, enjoy and appreciate diversity of all types, and be a proven team leader.  Must be computer literate and comfortable with computers and technology.  Must be able to train and supervise staff.  Must be a quick learner and able to express oneself clearly orally and in writing.  Must demonstrate a positive attitude toward library staff and the public and be able to positively represent the library in the community. Must be confident and secure in interacting with library customers under all circumstances.  Must meet the requirements to become a notary for the State of Arkansas.

Routine work schedule is 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  One weekend rotation every 4 weeks is required.  Occasional evenings and weekends may also be required to cover staffing or programming needs.

Required: bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college, demonstrated management experience, and familiarity with and enthusiasm for the role and responsibilities of the public library in the community.

Desired: a master's degree in a library or related field; at least one year of professional library experience; and knowledge of books, reading, and literature.

This is a full-time, salaried position with a 37 ½ hour work week.  Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be a minimum of $38,500/year.  The Fort Smith Public Library offers a competitive package of benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid retirement.

The Fort Smith Public Library is a city library system with a $3.6 million budget and a 67,000 square foot Main Library and three neighborhood branch libraries. The library is a dynamic presence in the community, serving over 89,000 people in the Arkansas River Valley area of western Arkansas, a scenic region offering many cultural and outdoor activities and a low cost of living.  The library offers a wide range of materials and services including books, DVDs, audiobooks, downloadable audio, eBooks, streaming video, and other digital resources, meeting space, and programming for children, teens, and adults.  

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Goodson, Library Director, at jgoodson@fortsmithlibrary.org.  Review of applications will begin August 13. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

The Fort Smith Public Library is seeking a team-oriented, customer-focused, highly knowledgeable professional to provide leadership for the Computer Services Department at the Fort Smith Public Library.   

The Computer Services Manager is responsible for managing all of the library’s information technology activities including the integrated library system (ILS), network infrastructure, telephone system, network and information security, software, desktop and laptop computers, and peripherals.

This position also supervises a support staff of two and ensures a proactive, customer service-focused environment serving both internal and external customers.  The person in this position works under the supervision of the library director and assistant director.  As a member of the library’s leadership team, the Computer Services Manager/Librarian also works with the library’s department heads and branch managers on library-wide projects, issues, and initiatives.

Qualifications: 

Required: 

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.  A combination of professional experience, education, and technical certifications that reflect mastery of field may be accepted in lieu of a 4-year degree.
• Experience or training in network and PC security and familiarity with Microsoft applications.
• Experience in network administration of firewalls, switches, DHCP, and DNS. 

Preferred: 

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field.
• A master’s degree, especially an MLS from an ALA-accredited library degree program
• Experience administering secure wireless networks, VLANS, and telephone systems
• Familiarity with automated library systems such as Polaris
• Supervisory experience
• Library experience with a focus on information technology

Essential skills and aptitudes:  The ideal candidate for this position has excellent technology skills, strong problem-solving skills, and sound judgment.  They enjoy learning new technology, possess excellent communication skills, and demonstrate an enthusiasm and passion for public libraries.  They demonstrate a positive attitude toward library staff and the public, can positively represent the library in the community, have strong organization and planning skills, have an eye for detail, can manage multiple projects, and have proven success as a team leader and team member.

Primary responsibilities:

• Functions as the primary administrator of all aspects of the library’s information technology:  servers, firewall, DNS, LAN/WAN/VLAN, phone system, email, printers, integrated library system (ILS), public computer management, public print management system, and all other hardware and software
• Troubleshoots hardware, software, and printing problems for staff and public computers.
• Completes requirements for Federal Universal Services e-rate application and maintains necessary records
• Manages the library website and works with library staff to keep it updated
• Recommends hardware and software purchases, maintenance solutions, and upgrades
• Works with staff to document system policy and department procedures
• Ensures integrity and timeliness of critical system backups
• Hires, schedules, trains, supervises, and evaluates department staff
• Oversees the development of and updates to the library’s technology plan
• Assists in setting up equipment for meetings and events

This is a full-time, salaried position with a 37 ½ hour work week.  Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications; expected salary range is $50,000-$65,000 a year.  In addition, the Fort Smith Public Library offers a competitive package of benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid retirement. 

Fort Smith Public Library: The Fort Smith Public Library is a city library system with a $3.2 million budget and a 67,000 square foot main library and three neighborhood branch libraries. The library is a dynamic presence in the community, serving over 89,000 people in the Arkansas River Valley area of western Arkansas and offering a wide range of materials and services including books, DVDs, audiobooks, downloadable audio, eBooks, streaming video, and other digital resources, meeting space, and programming for children, teens, and adults. 

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to: Jennifer Goodson, Library Director, Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR, 72903 or by email to jgoodson@fortsmithlibrary.org 

Review of applications will begin June 3, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

For more information about the Fort Smith Public Library, visit www.fortsmithlibrary.org.