LIBRARIAN - FRENCH and ENGLISH

About the Alliance

L’Alliance Française de Washington, D.C. (AFDC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization. It is the leading center in the Washington, D.C. metro area for French language services and francophone resources. The goal of the Alliance is to enrich the lives of the D.C. community by offering the chance to connect with people of different backgrounds and cultures, in order to better appreciate and take part in the greater global community.

AFDC offers:

• French language courses for adults, children, and corporate and federal employees
• The only official testing center in the Mid-Atlantic to offer French language certifications including the TEF/TCF, DELF/DALF and the DAEFLE
• Cultural programming for adults and children that present a comprehensive look at contemporary francophone culture
• An extensive bilingual library with over 6,000 books, movies, CDs, magazines and other resources for both native speakers and French language students.

About the position

The librarian staffs the library desk; manages a collection of ~6,000 items, acquisitions, subscriptions cataloging, weeding, promotion; and maintains a series of monthly events for children and adults. The Librarian reports to the Alliance Française Executive Director and supervises a team of volunteers that assist in library duties.

Prefered Start Date: 09/21/2024

Qualifications:

• 4-year degree
• Fluent in English and in French
• Understanding of American and French cultures and of non-profit cultural organizations
• Strong interest in Francophone cultures
• Knowledge of the French book market, Francophone literature, music, and cinema
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Must be able to work well with others, as well as independently
• Computer literacy is required, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, etc.
• Ability to multi-task

Preferred qualifications:

• MLS or currently enrolled in an MLS program
• Experience with PMB – a library integrated management system
• Experience with Canva
• Experience with Eventbrite
• Experience with CRM

Responsibilities:

• Full-time position. Includes working evenings and Saturdays - Days and hours are NOT negotiable
• Serve a population of Alliance Française students, Francophones, and native-speakers of French in the DC area
• Manage a library collection of approximately 6,000 items and 20 magazine subscriptions for children and adults
• Supervise a team of library volunteers
• Organize/produce monthly library events, collaborate on events with Cultural and Youth Programs, field trips…)
  • Adult programs include: Conversation night, Book Club, Game Night
  • Children programs include: Story Time, Music Hour
• Maintain collections up to date, order and catalog new items for circulation, and weed collection as needed
• Maintain ledger of library income/expenses
• Maintain database of library accounts whether physical or digital as well as any library data needed for board reports
• Coordinate the library’s communication strategy through a bi-weekly newsletter and social media posts, and updates website pages dedicated to the library including the library calendar and event page
• Manage the library’s participation in Culturethèque – the premier French e-library offered by the Institut Français
• Consult/exchange with colleagues in other AF chapters or other libraries
• Represent the AFDC if and when needed for programs relevant to the Library or other departments when requested
• Liaise with PMB and any external partners relevant to the functioning and daily operations of the AFDC library
• Other tasks as required

General Requirements

• Candidate must be either an American citizen, or a resident (Green Card) or already has a visa authorizing them to work in the US.
• Able to lift bokk boxes up to 50 lbs
• The AFDC is a grand-fathered historic building with no elevator. The library is located on the main floor.
• Covid19 vaccination+booster is mandatory; masking is optional
• Application is open until filled. The anticipated start date is late-October 2024.

Knowledge of French language at native-speaker level is an absolute MUST.

We are the French language and cultural center in DC. We serve not only learners of French language but also French and French-speaking patrons living in the Greater DMV, including diplomats.

The librarian will have to speak to library patrons in French, and also to answer the phone in French, write emails, reports, and newsletters in French.

Excellent grammar and spelling in written French langage is required for the position