Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Accomplishments
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

Carmen Baker

Miami,FL

Summary

Enthusiastic and highly organized Library Services Specialist with relevant experience in coordinating and managing successful large-scale events. Strong skills in vendor management, budgeting, and logistics planning. Known for creativity in event design and adept at multitasking under pressure to meet tight deadlines. Impactful work history demonstrating ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring customer satisfaction.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Library Services Specialist - Community Engagement

Miami-Dade County- Library
Miami, FL
05.2016 - Current
  • Coordinated the author program for Miami-Dade Public Library System since its inception in 2017, overseeing a $30,000 budget.
  • Led the book submission committee for the Local Author Series, ensuring that authors' books were properly reviewed and communicated the outcome.
  • Served as the author liaison.
  • Coordinated weekly author presentations across 50 different branches of the library.
  • Successfully planned and organized the Miami-Dade Library System's Local Author Book Fair since its launch in 2019. The fair hosted top-notch keynotes and workshops that drew a crowd of over 1,200 attendees, featuring participation from more than fifty local authors.
  • Designed and implemented special programs tailored to individuals with autism across 13 library districts during Autism Awareness Month. Managed a $5,000 budget, conducted research, collaborated with suppliers, selected events to support the program theme, scheduled activities, and coordinated with branches.
  • Managed a $5,000 budget to curate diverse and engaging programs for Older Americans Month in 13 library districts. Conducted thorough research, collaborated with suppliers, selected relevant programs, scheduled activities effectively and coordinated with branches.
  • Contributed to the accomplishment of unit targets by supporting the preparation and implementation of various events.
  • Represented the library at the Florida Library Association (FLA) by conducting workshops for librarians on programming for people with disabilities.
  • Promoted library programs and resources through radio and television outlets.
  • Participated actively in professional committee work.

Library Services Specialist - Special Services

Miami-Dade County - Library Department
Miami Gardens, FL
05.2014 - 05.2016
  • Manage Special Services – Talking Books Library, Connections, and Storytime Express.
  • Cross-train staff, create one unit, and staff team.
  • Planning, short and long-range; goals and priorities.
  • Budget (includes TBK mail cards and printer ribbons; Pitney Bowes postage and supplies for CN and Borrow-By-Mail)
  • Provide 5-star customer service, including Reader's Advisory and Reference.
  • Manage patron records in automation systems and files.
  • Circulation operation and procedures.
  • Staff supervision.
  • Evaluate and oversee workflow and assignments.
  • Scheduling includes maintaining unit calendar, leave, and ePar.
  • Staff development, training, and morale.
  • Community outreach and networking.
  • Collection development and management.
  • Automation includes TBK and KLAS network.
  • Reports and statistics.
  • Working with the Post Office
  • Records management and disposition.
  • Patron communication: newsletters or announcements.
  • TBK: Maintain contact with patron consumer groups and provide programs about services.
  • TBK: Coordination with state and national TBK service, guidelines, reporting, etc.

Librarian 1

Miami-Dade County - Library Department
Miami Lakes, FL
06.2012 - 05.2014
  • Developed and maintained library collection by selecting, ordering, cataloging, and classifying books and other materials.
  • Conducted library tours to introduce patrons to resources available in the library.
  • Organized book displays and planned special events.
  • Provided reference services to students, staff, and community members using print and electronic resources.
  • Assisted patrons with locating information using online databases, search engines, websites, and other research tools.
  • Planned activities for children's story time programs.
  • Researched current trends in libraries to stay abreast of new technologies.
  • Filled interlibrary loan requests.
  • Provided basic computer instruction classes to customers.
  • Attended professional conferences related to librarianship.
  • Maintained complete and accurate records of library transactions.
  • Reshelved books to maintain neat and tidy reading area.
  • Answered customers' questions at circulation desk.
  • Replaced worn labels and barcodes to keep materials in good physical condition.
  • Researched questions and concerns from customers and provided detailed responses.
  • Participated in community outreach initiatives, fostering strong relationships between the library and local organizations.
  • Supervised and trained library staff and volunteers, enhancing team performance and service quality.

Library Assistant III

Miami-Dade County- Library Department
Coral Gables, FL
08.2004 - 12.2010
  • Provided reference and reader's advisory services to library patrons.
  • Assisted in the cataloging of new books and materials.
  • Organized shelves, book displays, and other library areas according to established guidelines.
  • Developed programs to promote literacy and community involvement with the library.
  • Answered phones to respond to patron inquiries or direct calls appropriately.
  • Assisted in the preparation of materials for public programs such as book clubs, lectures, story times.
  • Researched information related to patron inquiries using print resources or online databases.
  • Troubleshot technical issues with computers or other equipment used by patrons.
  • Updated the library's website content regularly with new information about events or services offered.
  • Answered patrons' questions and assisted in finding materials requested.
  • Handled daily cash transactions for fines, fees, and other library services.
  • Processed new materials including books, magazines, and multimedia for circulation.
  • Facilitated group visits and tours, providing informative sessions on library offerings.

Education

Master of Science - Library And Information Studies

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
01-2012

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies

Florida International University
Miami, FL
01-2009

Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL
01-2004

Skills

  • Community Engagement
  • Self Motivation
  • Effective Communication
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Team Collaboration
  • Time Management
  • Organizational Skills
  • Attention to Detail
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Planning and Organization
  • Computer skills
  • Staff Management

Languages

English
Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual

Accomplishments

  • NACO 2021 Achievement Award Winner for Virtual Programs and Storytimes.
  • NACO 2020 Achievement Award Winner for the MDPLS Author Series and Local Author Fair.
  • Recipient of the SEFLIN Summit Award for Outstanding Paraprofessional in 2008, for developing programming for infants at our branches and creating specialized programs for people who are visually impaired.

Affiliations

  • In March 2024, I was featured in a video for Mayor Levine Cava's "Women of Miami Dade" for Women's History Month.
  • Presented " Programming for People with Diverse Abilities" at the May 2024 Florida Library Association (FLA) Annual Conference.
  • Served as a moderator for the Miami Book Fair children's programs from 2020-2022.
  • Presented "Beyond Barriers: Libraries as a Lifeline to People with Disabilities" at the May 2019 Florida Library Association (FLA) Annual Conference.
  • Represented the Miami-Dade Public Library System internationally by offering early literacy workshops to librarians in Medellin Colombia and Madrid, Spain in 2008 and 2015, when I was a paraprofessional and a Library Services Specialist.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Library Services Specialist - Community Engagement

Miami-Dade County- Library
05.2016 - Current

Library Services Specialist - Special Services

Miami-Dade County - Library Department
05.2014 - 05.2016

Librarian 1

Miami-Dade County - Library Department
06.2012 - 05.2014

Library Assistant III

Miami-Dade County- Library Department
08.2004 - 12.2010

Master of Science - Library And Information Studies

Florida State University

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies

Florida International University

Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies

Miami Dade College

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Carmen Baker