Brian Ball
Portland,OR
Summary
Librarian exhibiting superb communication and interpersonal skills. Dedicated to fostering welcoming and inviting library atmosphere.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Reference Librarian
Wilsonville Public Library
04.2023 - Current
- Greeted patrons warmly and offered reference and reader's advisory assistance.
- Assisted library patrons with computer, printing, and other technology needs.
- Educated library patrons about policies for checking out materials and using resources.
- Resolved patron complaints tactfully and professionally.
Library Assistant
Oak Lodge & Gladstone Libraries
04.2023 - Current
- Handled check-in and check-out process of library books and materials at circulation desk.
- Located library materials, resources and technologies to fulfill patron requests.
- Organized library shelves, materials and equipment in clear, alphabetized order.
- Answered patron questions in-person, by phone or email regarding library services and resources.
- Stayed up-to-date on library policies and procedures to smoothly enforce standards.
- Processed library card applications and maintained patron records with accurate contact information.
- Collected and processed fines on overdue library materials.
Library Assistant
West Slope Library
04.2021 - Current
- Marketed library's many services to patrons and community organizations through active communication and attending outreach events.
- Developed an array of active and passive programming options to engage patrons across a broad range of ages and abilities.
- Offered basic reference assistance to support information needs.
- Managed library materials for accurate record-keeping.
- Answered phone and in-person inquiries about library services, policies and procedures to provide accurate information.
- Created welcoming and comfortable space by keeping library clean and organized.
- Helped children select appropriate reading level library books.
- Developed library displays and implemented innovative outreach activities for improved community engagement.
- Set up computer and digital device access, providing assistance with use and operation.
- Assisted patrons with printing, copying, and digital application use on library and personal devices.
- Assisted with collection management including purchasing, processing, weeding and repair of materials.
General Manager
Saks OFF 5TH
06.2018 - 09.2020
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to create competitive advantages.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
Department Manager
Saks OFF 5TH
10.2015 - 06.2018
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions, and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.
- Hired, mentored and motivated sales professionals to service customers and target metrics.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Trained team members in successful strategies to meet operational and sales targets.
- Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
- Greeted all customers cheerfully and asked open-ended questions to ascertain needs.
- Created employee schedules to align coverage with forecasted demands.
- Managed inventory and receiving operations to maintain optimal stock levels and meet expected demands.
- Reviewed store sale numbers, cost of inventory, operational expenses and inventory losses.
Selling Manager
Bloomingdale's
08.2012 - 10.2015
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new client relationships.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Merchandising Manager
Bloomingdale's
07.2010 - 08.2012
- Optimized store displays and appearance via strategic merchandising.
- Designed displays to deliver interactive, engaging, and memorable store experiences for shoppers.
- Established monthly goals and communicated performance expectations during team meetings to optimize sales.
- Executed in-season pricing strategies, promotions, and markdowns to reach financial targets.
- Completed efficient store resets to prepare store for special promotions and seasonal updates.
- Monitored inventory levels and made necessary adjustments to maximize sales and profits.
- Motivated and mentored merchandise team to achieve high performance and job satisfaction.
Visual Merchandising Manager
Macy's
03.2006 - 07.2010
- Managed analytical reports to identify and track sales activities and customer trends.
- Designed appealing merchandise displays to attract customers to store and increase foot traffic.
- Coordinated with merchandising department to support release and product allocation dates.
- Increased visual impact and sales through optimal arrangement of mannequins, fixtures, walls and tables.
- Communicated visual merchandising information and standards via in-store training and regular meetings.
- Helped stores adapt spaces to accommodate merchandise within spatial constraints and inventory storage availability.
- Innovated and simplified planograms and merchandising strategies to improve processes and results.
- Oversaw visual merchandising for new store openings and store collateral change-outs.
- Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
- Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
- Used props and lighting to enhance appearance and visibility of displays.
- Organized store merchandise racks by size, style, and color.
Visual Merchandiser
Macy's
06.1999 - 03.2006
- Worked with store managers to implement new displays, promotions and store layout changes.
- Managed aesthetically pleasing displays to showcase company products and increase sales.
- Enhanced overall store appearance by applying careful consideration to product and display locations.
- Built properly lit and well-maintained displays, creating inviting atmosphere in stores.
- Coordinated with marketing and promotions teams to verify proper implementation of visual elements of display.
Administrative Student Worker
University Of Minnesota Duluth
09.1996 - 05.1998
- Completed clerical tasks such as filing, copying, and distributing mail.
- Maintained and updated office records, both digital and physical.
- Interacted with customers by phone, email, or in-person to provide information.
- Welcomed office visitors and alerted staff to arrivals of scheduled appointments.
- Managed daily data entry and kept clerical information accurate and up-to-date.
- Provided note-taking and paper writing assistance to differently abled students
- Administered assessments and exams
Education
Master of Arts - Library And Information Science
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS09.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MNUniversity of Minnesota - Duluth
Duluth, MNSkills
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Clear Communicator
- Staff Supervision
- Schedule Management
- Policy Development
- Equipment Troubleshooting
Timeline
Reference Librarian
Wilsonville Public Library
04.2023 - Current
Library Assistant
Oak Lodge & Gladstone Libraries
04.2023 - Current
Library Assistant
West Slope Library
04.2021 - Current
General Manager
Saks OFF 5TH
06.2018 - 09.2020
Department Manager
Saks OFF 5TH
10.2015 - 06.2018
Selling Manager
Bloomingdale's
08.2012 - 10.2015
Merchandising Manager
Bloomingdale's
07.2010 - 08.2012
Visual Merchandising Manager
Macy's
03.2006 - 07.2010
Visual Merchandiser
Macy's
06.1999 - 03.2006
Administrative Student Worker
University Of Minnesota Duluth
09.1996 - 05.1998
Master of Arts - Library And Information Science
Emporia State University
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies
Hamline University
University of Minnesota - Duluth