2024 Sastavickas Scholarship:

To submit an application for the 2024 Sastavickas Scholarship please fill out, scan, and Email the application form below. Only electronic submissions as PDF (Portable Document Format) files are accepted. You may Email the completed form to our Library Director, Clayton Cheever at: ccheever@minlib.net.

• 2024 Sastavickas Application Form and Letter

Open Position: Adult Services Library Assistant

Hours: FLSA Non-Exempt, Part time, 6-12 hours per week, Saturday and Sunday availability
Salary: FY24 $25.50 hourly
The purpose of this position is to assist the Adult and Children’s Departments and other Departments as needed by performing professional work in planning, directing, and conducting departmental activities and operations for the Morrill Memorial Library of the Town of Norwood; and all other related work as required.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists in the operations of the Adult and Children’s Departments, under the direction of applicable Department Head, including organization and staffing of public service desks; development and presentation of programs for children, young adults, and adults; collection development including acquisition and weeding of materials; May assist in other departments as needed.
• Assists patrons with information retrieval and in the use of various interfaces with databases, indices, and other tools in both print and electronic format.
• Provides reference and reader’s advisory services to patrons seeking books, periodicals, videos, sound recordings, and other library materials.
• Promotes community awareness of library services and facilities. Provides services that promote an interest in reading and appreciation of books and other library materials.
• Maintains current knowledge of the field and learns new technology and software programs as well as upgrades in network technology. Attends professional development opportunities presented by the library.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality is required.
• Performs similar or related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s in Library Science from an A.L.A.-accredited school or a student in an A.L.A.-accredited school who has completed at least one reference class and one class about service to children/teens; experience delivering services to children, young adults, and adults highly desirable; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Thorough working knowledge of library principles and procedures. Knowledge of literature and other library materials for all age ranges from infants and children through young adults, parents, and seniors. Demonstrated experience applying appropriate techniques in working with children and young adults preferred. Complete familiarity with automated library systems and related applications. Knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, forms, and equipment including standard computing. Knowledge of state laws, town by-laws and government regulations related to providing library services.

Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages, including children, young adults, caregivers, and seniors. Ability to deal tactfully, courteously, and appropriately with the general public and town departments in an effective manner. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers and other librarians and library staff, and other town employees. Interest in reading. Ability to work with a high level of detail. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deal effectively with interruptions. Ability to identify and analyze complex issues and to develop appropriate recommendations for resolution. Ability to fairly and tactfully enforce library policies. Ability to maintain strict confidence. Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing. Ability to multitask, be flexible, and change task directions in midstream.

*This posting is not meant to be exhaustive of all duties and requirements. View the complete job description.

Contact:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@norwoodma.gov.
Priority will be given to candidates who apply before the end of the day on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Please reference Req. #2024-014 on all materials.
The Town of Norwood is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V and does not discriminate based on race, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual preference or any other legally protected status.

2023 Viola Sastavickas Scholarship Awarded to: Raceja Velavan

Raceja (center) is pictured with Library Director, Clayton Cheever; Joanne Rabbitt, Page Supervisor and acting head of Borrower Services; Donna Montgomery, 2023-2024 Chair of the Board; and Kate Tigue, Head of Children’s Services and Chapter Chair of the AFSCME Library Unit at the Morrill Memorial Library.

Joseph and Viola Sastavickas and their children used the library for many years. In the last years before Viola’s death they received service in their home from the Homebound Deliveries Department of the library. When Mrs. Sastavickas passed away in 2006, her children made a generous donation to the library to endow a perpetual $500 scholarship in memory of their mother. Additional familial support has raised the annual scholarship to $1,000. According to her daughter, Kathy Sastavickas, the scholarship is “a fitting tribute to our beautiful mother and to the library and staff which treated her with great respect and affection.”

This year a committee reviewed the applications submitted and selected Raceja Velavan to receive the Viola Sastavickas Scholarship for its seventeenth year. This committee included the 2022-2023 Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees, Marguerite Cummings; the Chapter Chair of the AFSCME Library Unit, Kate Tigue; and Library Director, Clayton Cheever.

Director Cheever noted, “Raceja is a dedicated scholar who is destined for greatness. Her passion, motivation, and skill at working well with everyone she encounters make her stand out amongst her peers.” In the fall she will be starting her third of seven years of studies at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in Boston. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies—Medicine Pathway and is aiming to earn a combined Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies from MCPHS and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada.

This scholarship will help offset the expenses Raceja will incur in her academic journey. As an employee at the Morrill Memorial Library, Raceja has proved herself an invaluable team member, always reliable, and eager to take on new challenges. Her first volunteer opportunity was at the library when she was in middle school and helped in the children’s department. She returned to the library in the summer before her second year in college and credits the library with helping her develop her self-confidence, communication skills, and ability to work well with members of the public. After immigrating to the United States from India when she was in middle school, Raceja has already accomplished so much. Her colleagues report always being delighted when they have an opportunity to work with her and the entire library staff agree that the healthcare field is going to be very lucky to have her once she graduates in a few years. Clayton Cheever enthusiastically supported her, “Raceja is a perfect candidate for this award and will put it to great use in her studies.”