Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Managerial Experience
Certification
Outreach Experience
Collection Development Experience
Activities
Accomplishments
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Rachel L. Beerthuis

Reference Librarin
Chesapeake,VA

Summary

Knowledgeable Librarian with comprehensive background in managing library operations and fostering community engagement. Successfully implemented innovative programs that increased patron satisfaction and resource accessibility. Demonstrated expertise in collection development and staff training.

Resource-driven Librarian recommends, interprets and evaluates information sources and assists users with academic and information searches. Asserts sharp, keen eye for detail and organization. Proactively uses technology to perform job or enhance customer experience.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications

Work History

Library Manager

Chesapeake Public Library
Chesapeake, Virginia
09.2021 - 12.2024
  • Managed a busy area library.
  • Maintained an up-to-date collection by regularly evaluating materials based on relevance, age, and condition.
  • Enhanced patron satisfaction with the implementation of innovative programs and services.
  • Provided exceptional customer service by addressing patron concerns promptly and effectively.
  • Managed a diverse team of librarians, support staff, and volunteers to ensure smooth daily operations.
  • Oversaw budget management, ensuring responsible spending while maximizing available funds for programs and materials.
  • Coordinated special events such as author visits or workshops to foster engagement within the community.
  • Promoted digital literacy through training sessions on using electronic resources such as databases or ebooks.
  • Improved library operations by hiring staff, leading training and motivating strong performance.

Librarian II

Chesapeake Public Library System
04.2002 - 09.2021
  • Manages the library in the absence of the manager
  • Oversees the adult services department of a busy area library
  • Hires, evaluates and trains new employees
  • Continually hones customer service skills in order to provide excellent customer service
  • Trains library staff in customer service skills and provides feedback to library staff
  • Serves on system wide committees
  • Participates in the leadership team of a busy area library
  • Schedules staff over seven days to ensure seamless library services
  • Supervises a busy public services desk
  • Directs library staff in order to carry out library programming
  • Communicates well with individuals at all levels throughout the library and community
  • Participates in curriculum development for computer classes
  • Trains staff in policy changes, emerging technology and customer service
  • Chaired the committee for the One Book, One Committee event
  • Managed the Youth Services department of an area library
  • Troubleshoots and maintains computers

Education

Master's Degree - Library and Information Science

University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
01.1999 - 01.2001

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
01.1987 - 01.1991

Skills

Curated Collection Development

Reference services

Electronic resources

Community Outreach Initiatives

Acquisition Strategy Development

Information literacy

Interlibrary Loan Management

Effective Multitasking

Effective Time Management

Interlibrary Loan Management

Workplace Professionalism

Reliability

Library instruction

Managerial Experience

  • Manages the library in the absence of the manager.
  • Oversees the adult services department of a busy area library.
  • Hires, evaluates and trains new employees.
  • Continually hones customer service skills in order to provide excellent customer service.
  • Trains library staff in customer service skills and provides feedback to library staff.
  • Serves on system wide committees.
  • Participates in the leadership team of a busy area library.
  • Schedules staff over seven days to ensure seamless library services.
  • Supervises a busy public services desk.
  • Directs library staff in order to carry out library programming.
  • Communicates well with individuals at all levels throughout the library and community.
  • Participates in curriculum development for computer classes.
  • Trains staff in policy changes, emerging technology and customer service.
  • Chaired the committee for the One Book, One Committee event.
  • Managed the Youth Services department of an area library.
  • Troubleshoots and maintains computers.

Certification

State of Virginia Professional Librarian Certification

Outreach Experience

  • Executes library programming including promotion and publicity.
  • Partners with community groups in order to present library programming.
  • Analyzes the community so that library programming is relevant to community needs.
  • Teaches computer classes for groups and individuals.
  • Provides instruction in the use of downloadable eBooks and audio books.
  • Instructs people in the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Google+.
  • Conducts reader’s advisory as needed.
  • Performs community outreach by going to job fairs, schools, city meetings and community events to inform people about library services.
  • Maintains good relationships with the community in order to promote the library.

Collection Development Experience

  • Selects nonfiction materials for the library system.
  • Reads book reviews and catalogs to be aware of new print and electronic resources.
  • Selects and manages the periodical collection for an area library.
  • Weeds and evaluates the collection of an area library.
  • Receives and checks in new library materials.
  • Ordered items for the youth services department of an area library.

Activities

  • Attends professional meetings, workshops and conferences.
  • Reviews and reads professional journals.
  • Establishes an awareness of emerging technologies and trends in the library field.

Accomplishments

  • Achieved Collection Developement through effectively helping with weeding and selection of new materials.
  • Supervised team of 19 staff members.
  • Collaborated with team of 5 in the development of library instruction.
  • Achieved Interlibrary Loan Management by introducing ILS software for ordering tasks.
  • Achieved system wide nonfiction ordering by completing selection with accuracy and efficiency.

Interests

  • Reading
  • Watching Movies and TV Shows
  • Road Trips

Timeline

Library Manager

Chesapeake Public Library
09.2021 - 12.2024

Librarian II

Chesapeake Public Library System
04.2002 - 09.2021

Master's Degree - Library and Information Science

University of North Carolina-Greensboro
01.1999 - 01.2001

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

James Madison University
01.1987 - 01.1991
State of Virginia Professional Librarian Certification
City of Chesapeake Supervisory Certificate
Rachel L. BeerthuisReference Librarin