Binds 16S rRNA, required for the assembly of 30S particles and may also be responsible for determining the conformation of the 16S rRNA at the A site. Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. Part of the 30S ribosomal subunit. Contacts proteins S3 and S10 (By similarity). Belongs to the universal ribosomal protein uS14 family. This protein has the conserved residues necessary to bind a zinc ion as do the zinc-binding member of this family, but it is not clear if does so.