PT Temporary Youth Associate

Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District; Glen Ellyn, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District is seeking a part-time Youth Associate for a temporary maternity-leave cover (25 hours weekly). The position provides services at the Youth Desk, participates in programming, outreach, and collection maintenance, and supports the Youth department.

Hours are daytime and some evenings, with Mondays 1 PM–9 PM, Tuesdays 9 AM–5 PM, Wednesdays 9 AM–1 PM, and Fridays 12 PM–6 PM.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of children’s and middle school literature.
• Knowledge of the arrangement of materials in a library.
• Skilled in creative thinking.
• Skilled in listening.
• Skilled in using everyday technology such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and Microsoft 365 for work tasks.
• Skilled in written and verbal communication.
• Able to calmly manage the pressures of public service in a busy environment.
• Able to identify and address potential public relations concerns.
• Able to organize work.
• Able to plan and present creative activities for children.
• Able to work well independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide services directly to the public at the Youth Desk.
• Answer reference and readers’ advisory questions.
• Assist visitors in using catalog, electronic, print and audiovisual resources, and other Youth department equipment.
• Place holds on library materials.
• Interpret library policies and procedures.
• Assist in programming and outreach activities.
• Prepare for and conduct storytimes.
• Plan and implement school-year reading programs.
• Conduct tours, training, or storytimes for visiting groups.
• Participate in collection maintenance activities.
• Assist staff by pulling items from lists; locate lost/damaged items; maintain discard cart.
• Participate in staff meetings and professional development; prepare displays and program materials; create bibliographies and visitor aids.

Skills

Creative thinking

Listening

Written communication

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft 365

Library software

Job description

STATUS - Part-time (25 hours a week); irregular work shifts, daytime, and evening hours; exempt [FLSA]

SUPERVISED BY - Youth Director

SUPERVISES - N/A

JOB SUMMARY

The Youth Associate is responsible for providing services directly to the public at the Youth Desk, participating in programming, outreach, and collection maintenance activities, and carrying out other duties in support of the Youth department and the library. This temporary position has been created to help cover a maternity leave.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(percentages are approximate; duties are illustrative, not exclusive)

• Provide services directly to the public at the Youth Desk, which includes
• answering reference and readers’ advisory questions from the public;
• assisting and training visitors in the use of the catalog, electronic, print and audiovisual resources, computers, and other equipment in the Youth department;
• placing holds on library materials; and
• interpreting library policies and procedures.

These duties and responsibilities account for 65% of the work time.

2. Assist in programming and outreach activities, which includes

• preparing for and conducting storytimes,
• helping plan and implement special programs and outreach visits,
• preparing for and presenting school year reading programs,
• and conducting tours, training, or storytimes for visiting groups.

These duties and responsibilities account for 25% of the work time.

3. Participate in collection maintenance activities, which includes

• assisting library staff by pulling items from lists,
• searching for materials reported as lost or missing and locating damaged materials, and
• maintaining the library discard cart.

These duties and responsibilities account for 5% of the work time.

4. Carry out other duties in support of the Youth department and the library, which includes

• participating in staff meetings, staff development programs, in-service days, library committees, and professional development activities;
• preparing and maintaining displays;
• preparing support materials for programs;
• preparing bibliographies and other visitor aids; and
• performing other duties as assigned.

These duties and responsibilities account for 5% of the work time.

INTERACTION

With the Youth Director, Youth staff, and the public

Requirements

Knowledge of children’s and middle school literature

Knowledge of the arrangement of materials in a library

Skilled in creative thinking

Skilled in listening

Skilled in using everyday technology such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and Microsoft 365 for work tasks

Skilled in written and verbal communication

Able to calmly manage the pressures of public service in a busy environment

Able to identify and address potential public relations concerns

Able to organize work

Able to pay attention to detail

Able to plan and present creative activities for children

Able to project a friendly, competent image to the public

Able to think analytically

Able to work well independently

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree or demonstrated equivalent

One year of professional experience in a public-facing position interacting with children

WILL BE TAUGHT

Library policy and procedures

Library-specific software

Reference interview and readers' advisory skills

Salary Description

Hourly range $19.69-$29.53 (midpoint $24.61)

Hours

Part-time (25 hours a week)
SCHEDULE
Mondays: 1PM-9PM
Tuesdays: 9AM-5PM
Wednesdays: 9AM-1PM
Fridays: 12PM-6PM