Library Associate - Teen Services

Mecklenburg County; North Carolina; On-site; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – ImaginOn Teen Loft is seeking a Library Associate to perform professional and technical library work with teens and preteens. You will deliver high-quality library services and value-added experiences for all customers.

The role focuses on coordinating teen programming, outreach, and technology literacy, while fostering partnerships with families and community partners in a vibrant, 40-hour-per-week setting at ImaginOn in Charlotte, NC.

Qualifications

• Two years of library, retail, computer, or customer service experience required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s degree preferred.
• Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and deliver developmentally appropriate and inclusive programming for teens ages 12–18; support programming for ages 9–12.
• Coordinate and develop relevant programming including college and career readiness, leadership, service, and technology skills.
• Build and maintain partnerships with families, library users, staff, and community partners.

Skills

Programming and outreach experience

Community partnerships

Technology skills

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree (preferred)

Education/Experience combination accepted

Tools

Polaris library system

Makerspace technology (sewing machines, 3D printing)

Job description

Library Associate

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – ImaginOn Teen Loft

“Follow your calling, Find your career”

Hiring Range: $25.53 – $31.27

This is a non‑exempt (hourly) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving one of the country’s great emerging metropolitan areas in North Carolina. Our library system serves a community of approximately one million citizens in the city of Charlotte and the towns of Matthews, Pineville, Mint Hill, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville – all located in Mecklenburg County. Accessible and welcoming to all, our library celebrates the joy of reading, fosters learning and growth, connects people to each other and the world, and inspires individuals with what they can achieve. Through our 20 locations, online, and through targeted outreach, we deliver exceptional library services and programs with a mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas.

ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center is a one‑of‑a‑kind youth destination located in Charlotte, NC, in the heart of the cultural arts district. This collaborative effort between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a 102,000‑square‑foot facility ranked by Livability.com as the No. 1 children’s library in the United States. ImaginOn is visited by more than 300,000 people annually and features two state‑of‑the‑art theatres, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi‑use classrooms, a teen‑only library, a multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space. With cutting edge services and library collections, an award‑winning professional theatre and innovative education programs, ImaginOn brings stories to life through extraordinary experiences that challenge, inspire and excite young minds.

Position Summary

Perform professional and technical library work with teens and preteens as well as helps Children’s and Access Services as needed. The Library Associate delivers a high level of quality library services ensuring the provision of value‑added experiences for all customers.

Essential Functions

• Strong programming and outreach experience is highly desirable.


• The Teen Services Associate will coordinate and develop relevant and inclusive programming including college and career readiness, leadership skills, community service, and technology skills needed to meet community desires.


• Proven ability to build and maintain community partnerships is a plus as well as developing positive and ongoing relationships with families, library users, staff, and community partners.


• Prepare monthly reports.


• Facilitate group visits for customers.


• Utilize integrated library systems software.


• Provide service desk coverage.


• Assist customers at several service points.


• Train and assist customers on various library policies, procedures, and processes.


• Maintain library’s collection of materials including shelf reading.


• Assist with the VolunTeen program.


• Promote and market library’s programs; collaborating with Marketing and Communication to generate flyers and materials such as social media posts pertaining to programs.


• Plan, develop, and deliver developmentally appropriate and inclusive programming for teens ages 12–18 as the primary audience, while supporting programming for preteens ages 9–12. Create and maintain attractive and appropriate bulletin boards and displays.


• Provide technology and digital literacy support to preteens and teens, including assistance with online resources and applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of library, retail, computer, or customer service experience.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Education/Experience

• Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree.


• Makerspace technology such as sewing machines, 3D printing, video or music editing software, photography and graphic design.


• Knowledge of integrated library systems software (IE: Polaris).


• At least three years of library, customer service and/or social services experience.


• Experience working with special needs teens.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of alpha‑numeric sorting systems, various library systems, telephone etiquette, young adult literature and developmental stages of teenagers.


• Technology adeptness.


• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.


• Excellent time management skills with attention to detail.


• Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.


• Communication: Clearly conveying information to individuals or groups.


• Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships.


• Technical/professional knowledge and skills: Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position‑related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.


• Work standards: Setting high standards of performance for self; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self‑imposing standards of excellence.

Computer Skills

• Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.


• Proficient with social media platforms and computer gaming.


• Experience with and willingness to learn technology in the makerspace.

Work Environment

Works in a large, physically open library environment with variable and at times high noise levels, frequent movement and public interaction, and occasional large crowds, performances, and school groups.

Schedule

• Full‑time 40 hours per week, benefit eligible.


• M-F 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.


• Works Thursday evening 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM.


• Rotating weekends.

Location

• ImaginOn Library.


• 300 E 7th St.


• Charlotte, NC 28202.

Selection

This classification has been identified as having a role in the development of ADA compliant technologies and for which the incumbent agrees to follow County policies to the best of their abilities in order to meet these obligations.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.