20-Hour Youth Services Specialist

New Lenox Public Library District; New Lenox (IL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation (pro-rated)

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

IMRF retirement

Tuition assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

New Lenox Public Library District is seeking a friendly, collaborative Youth Services Specialist to serve children and their families through reference, readers' advisory, and engaging programming. This part-time, non-exempt position is scheduled for 20 hours per week with evenings and weekends as shown in the schedule.

You will work under the Youth Services Manager, support ongoing library initiatives, and help maintain a welcoming space while promoting literacy and digital literacy.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or equivalent experience with library background preferred.
• Experience working with patrons of all ages in a library setting is a plus.
• Comfortable using digital tools and online resources in a public library.

Responsibilities

• Interact with the public to deliver friendly, high-quality service.
• Staff the public service desk for about 50% of scheduled hours.
• Provide reference and readers advisory for children's literature and pop culture.
• Assist with collection development, maintenance, and displays per guidance.
• Present programming for children from birth to grade 8 and families.
• Attend outreach events as needed.
• Organize department supplies and re-order materials.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Youth literature knowledge

Digital services knowledge

Education

Associate degree or LTA certificate or relevant experience

Public library experience preferred

Tools

Canva

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

ILS systems

Job description

The New Lenox Public Library is looking for a friendly, collaborative, and enthusiastic self-starter to join our Library team. This part‑time Youth Services Specialist role will provide service to children and their families, caregivers, and educators through reference interactions, readers' advisory, programming, and more. If you love working with kids and learning new things, sing "Baby Shark" in your sleep, and enjoy giving great book recommendations to get kids excited about reading,this position is for you!

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates degree from accredited institution or LTA certificate or relevant experience
• Public library experience working with patrons of all ages preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong organizational skills
• Familiarity with both fiction and non‑fiction literature for youth
• Knowledge of digital services offered

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interacts directly with the public and staff to provide friendly, high‑quality customer service
• Public service desk time accounts for approximately 50 percent of scheduled hours
• Provides reference and readers advisory services specializing in children’s literature and pop culture while promoting media literacy
• Participates in collection development, maintenance, and displays per manager guidance
• Presents programming to children ages birth through eighth grade and their families
• Attends outreach events as needed
• Organizes and maintains the department’s supplies and storage closets and re‑orders materials as needed

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

• Ensures that library spaces are a clean, safe, and welcoming space for all patrons
• Demonstrates creativity, initiative, and ability to work independently to achieve personal, department, library focused goals
• Comfortable with technology, which may include e‑readers, ILS systems, databases, Canva and Google/Microsoft Suites
• Supports Library‑wide initiatives, programming and outreach
• Participates in continuing education and training, including bi‑annual Staff Days
• Maintains an atmosphere conducive to connecting, creating, and exploring
• Supports onboarding experience for new staff members
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Staff and Patrons
• Keeps up to date with best practices by researching and attending workshops, trainings and relevant Continued Education opportunities
• Displays high level of confidentiality in regards to sensitive information
• Cross trains in all departments of the Library to serve as a backup for Library Staff
• Access to transportation and ability to travel
• Performs other duties as assigned

WHAT WE OFFER

• Salary Range: $18.64 - $19.80 per hour
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Additional paid leave time accrued at a rate of 1 hour per 40 hours worked
• Participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
• Tuition assistance program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

This part‑time, non‑exempt position is scheduled for 20 hours per week and includes the preferred schedule:
Tuesday 2:30 -8
Wednesday 2:30-8
Thursday 2:30 -8
Every other Saturday 9-4
The selected candidate will report to the Youth Services Manager.
The New Lenox Public Library District enhances the quality of life in our community by fostering lifelong discovery, education, and opportunity. The library serves a population of approximately 41,000 residents. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

No phone calls, please.