Youth Programs Assistant – Part time

Valley of the Tetons Library; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health stipend

Paid holidays

Job summary

Valley of the Tetons Library is seeking a Library Assistant to assist with conducting and facilitating programs across our branches. You will engage with patrons of all ages, support storytimes, maker activities, and community events, and help create an inviting learning environment.

The role requires strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability, with a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma; college degree preferred.
• Experience with youth and children is strongly desired.
• Library or public service experience with enthusiasm and friendliness.
• Strong technical skills and knowledge of automated library software, catalogs and databases.

Responsibilities

• Organizing crafts and other art supplies.
• Helping younger children or teens with program activities.
• Assisting with storytime and early childhood activities.
• Cleaning spaces and returning items to their proper place.
• Be on time to set up activities as needed.
• Willingness to engage and change quickly from one activity to another.
• Provide participants with the appropriate leadership during the program.
• Provide a warm and caring atmosphere for participants.
• Make recommendations to the programs supervisor for improvement on equipment, supplies, facility and program needs.
• Set up and move furniture.
• Prepare/initiate activities that are developmentally appropriate for the age of the children.
• Perform research on library trends and offer suggestions for library programs.
• Attend and participate in community events.
• Meet regularly with the Program Manager to discuss scheduling, planning and outreach.
• Some tasks require perception of sounds and visual cues or signals from smaller patrons or patrons with special abilities.
• Ability to handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy while maintaining confidentiality.
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills, tact, friendliness and a desire to work in a public service role.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to handle and adapt to multiple tasks with attention to detail, amid continual interruptions.
• Self-starter that can work well independently and in a team environment.
• Establish and maintain positive working relations with coworkers.
• Understands the role of technology in providing library services, ability to learn and adapt to new software and equipment technologies.

Skills

Public service

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-starter

multitasking

Education

High school diploma

College degree preferred

Tools

Automated library system

Gaming devices (Xbox, Switch, WII)

Job description

Under the supervision of the Programs Manager, this position is primarily responsible for assisting with conducting and facilitating programs across the library. This person communicates effectively and interacts well with the public. Programs at the library include all age groups and demographics and the assistant helps pursue the goal of providing patrons with an engaging and educational experience at the library. Programs can occur at any branch and would include but not be exclusive to mostly days, some evenings, and occasionally some Saturdays. Most often, the program assistant will be with a staff member with few opportunities to work independently.

Program examples include makerspace, summer reading classes, summer reading store, storytime, maker classes, book clubs, lego clubs, chess class, and a variety of craft and fiber arts events. While you don’t need to possess a knowledge of everything, a can-do attitude is a must as well as a willingness to be a part of the learning process.

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the library’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example.

• Organizing crafts and other art supplies.
• Helping younger children or teens with program activities.
• Assisting with storytime and early childhood activities.
• Cleaning spaces and returning items to their proper place.
• Be on time to set up activities as needed.
• Willingness to engage and change quickly from one activity to another.
• Provide participants with the appropriate leadership during the program.
• Provide a warm and caring atmosphere for participants.
• Make recommendations to the programs supervisor for improvement on equipment, supplies, facility and program needs.
• Set up and move furniture.
• Prepare/initiate activities that are developmentally appropriate for the age of the children.
• Perform research on library trends and offer suggestions for library programs.
• Attend and participate in community events.
• Meet regularly with the Program Manager to discuss scheduling, planning and outreach.
• Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals from smaller patrons or patrons with special abilities. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally or with visual cues.
• Ability to handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to privacy policy.
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills, tact, friendliness and a desire to work in a public service role.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds, including youth, families, volunteers, and coworkers.
• Ability to handle and adapt to multiple tasks with attention to detail, amid continual interruptions.
• Self-starter that can work well independently and in a team environment.
• Establish and maintain positive working relations with coworkers.
• Understands the role of technology in providing library services, ability to learn and adapt to new software and equipment technologies and check in/out library materials using an automated library system.
• Work with varied equipment including laser printer, studio recording, kitchen, sewing machine, camera/video, hand tools.
• Regularly operate and exhibit proficiency with computers and gaming devices, including knowledge on how to operate and occasionally troubleshoot Xbox, Switch, WII and other tablets and electronic devices.
• Have transportation to and from work.
• Available year round. Be open to a varied schedule, including after school, and some weekends.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma. College degree desired.
• Experience with youth and children is strongly desired.
• Library or equivalent public service experience with demonstrated enthusiasm and friendliness
• Strong technical skills and knowledge of automated library software, catalogs and databases

Benefits include a health stipend and paid holidays, non-exempt position

Must be available during Makerspace open hours. Schedule will likely consist of two shifts (M-Th) 1:30 – 6 pm, one shift (M – Th) 3 – 6 pm, Friday 9:30 – 2 pm (required), plus occasional mornings, evenings and weekends. Final schedule will be determined upon hire.

Disclaimer – The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.The Library Assistant works with a team to provide consistent and excellent customer service to library users, creating positive relationships with patrons and staff. This position assists with the daily operations of the circulation desk and other library services.