Part Time Youth Services Library Associate- Plainsboro Free Public Lib.

Plainsboro Free Public Library; Plainsboro Center (NJ); Presencial; USD 26.000 - 37.000; A tiempo parcial

Descripción de la vacante

Plainsboro Public Library seeks a Part-Time Youth Services Library Associate to engage with children and teens, support literacy efforts, and help run youth programs. The role requires welcoming all families, assisting patrons at the Information Desk, and coordinating volunteers.

Schedule Wednesdays 4:30 pm–8:30 pm and Sundays 9:30 am–5:00 pm, with flexibility for additional shifts. A bachelor’s degree (non-MLIS) and experience with youth or public service are preferred.

Formación

• Bachelor's degree (non-MLIS) required; experience with children/teens or public setting preferred.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to engage with a diverse, multilingual community.

Responsabilidades

• Welcome children, teens, caregivers, and patrons warmly and equitably.
• Assist with youth programs, storytimes, and family events.
• Support early literacy initiatives and reading recommendations.
• Provide coverage at the Information Desk when needed.
• Oversee and direct library pages and volunteers.
• Maintain welcoming environment in Youth Services area.

Descripción del empleo

Part-Time Youth Services Library Associate

Wednesdays 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Sundays 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

About Plainsboro Public Library. Plainsboro Public Library (PPL) is a vibrant, community-centered library serving one of New Jersey’s most diverse and multilingual communities. Guided by our Strategic Plan 2026–2028 — shaped by input from more than 1,200 residents under the banner “You Spoke. We Listened.” — we are committed to transforming our spaces, advancing literacy in all its forms, building lasting community partnerships, and ensuring our long-term sustainability.Every member of our team plays a role in delivering on that promise.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Customer Service

• Welcome children, teens, caregivers, and all patrons warmly and equitably, ensuring every visitor feels respected and valued.
• Assist young readers and their families in selecting age-appropriate books, audiobooks, and digital materials.
• Support patrons in using library resources, public computers, and youth-focused digital tools.
• Register patrons for storytimes, youth programs, and library events; promote upcoming offerings.
• Help maintain a welcoming, inclusive environment in the Youth Services area, including reasonable behavior expectations that support all families.
• Receive and respond to patron compliments, suggestions, and concerns; refer matters to the Head of Youth Services or Assistant Director of Public Services as appropriate.

Information, Literacy & Program Support

• Conduct ready-reference and reader's advisory for children and teens; refer in-depth research questions to appropriate staff.
• Assist with the setup, facilitation, and breakdown of youth programs,storytimes, and family events.
• Support early literacy initiatives and recommend resources that strengthen reading skills at every developmental stage.
• Provide coverage at the Information Desk as needed, assisting patrons of all ages.
• Submit interlibrary loan requests through the JerseyCat system.
• Answer and route telephone calls professionally.

Collection & Operational Support

• Shelve materials, perform shelf-reading, and search for items from system-generated lists in the youth collection and across the library as needed.
• Participate in collection refresh activities to keep the youth collection current, relevant, and reflective of our community.
• Create displays and develop reading lists that celebrate diverse voices and engage young readers.
• Oversee and direct the work of library pages and volunteers as assigned.
• Follow proper procedures for evacuation of patrons and staff during emergencies and drills.

Professional Growth

• Attend conferences, meetings, workshops, and in-house trainings to keep technological skills current and maintain professional best practices.
• Read professional literature related to library work and emerging trends.
• Participate in ongoing and annual performance evaluations with the Head of Youth Services.
• Perform related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities General knowledge of:

• Library clerical procedures and practices.
• Library software, databases, digital resources, apps, and common computer software such as MS Office.
• Children's and young adult literature, including picture books, early readers, middle grade, graphic novels, and YA.
• Age-appropriate engagement and basic awareness of child and adolescent developmental stages.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Provide excellent customer service to children, teens, families, and our diverse, multilingual community.
• Engage warmly and patiently with young people of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Maintain accurate records and statistics, and complete reports.
• Exercise initiative, independent judgment, and discretion.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patrons and colleagues.
• Communicate ideas clearly and respectfully, both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience

A bachelor's degree (non-MLIS) from an accredited college or university is required, along with some experience working with children, teens, or the public — whether in a library, school, camp, tutoring, programming, or comparable service setting.

An ideal opportunity for: CurrentMLIS students exploring a career in Youth Services. This role offers hands-on experience at a busy, community-focused public library and direct mentorship from our Head of Youth Services and broader Public Services team.

Preferred (not required): Prior experience working with children or teens in a library, school, camp, tutoring, or program setting; proficiency in a language other than English reflective of our community (e.g., Mandarin, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Spanish); familiarity with early literacy practices, youth programming, or assistive and emerging technologies. Schedule Wednesdays: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm Sundays: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Flexibility covering additional shifts when needed is preferred.

Compensation $23.00 per hour.

Employment offers are conditional upon a successful background and reference check and include a six-month probationary period. Plainsboro Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants must comply with the New Jersey First Act. You Spoke. We Listened. Plainsboro Public Library | Strategic Plan 2026–2028 [Posted 05/12/2026]