Youth Services Librarian

City of Medford; Medford (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Medford seeks a Youth Services Librarian to lead programs for children and teens, provide circulation and reference assistance, and support collection development at the public service desks in the Children’s and Teen rooms.

Responsibilities include coordinating service desk staffing, assisting with readers’ advisory, planning youth programs and the summer reading initiative, and promoting services through displays and social media.

Qualifications

• Master’s in Library and Information Science or equivalent.
• 1–3 years of experience preferred in youth services or a public library.
• Knowledge of public library programs and services for children and young adults.

Responsibilities

• Lead library programs for youth 0–18 at youth service desks.
• Provide circulation and reference assistance to patrons.
• Coordinate staffing of service desks and supervise staff.
• Select materials for collection development and assist with readers’ advisory.
• Plan, promote, and implement engaging youth programs and summer reading.

Skills

Public library services

Communication skills

Problem solving

Customer service

Readers advisory

Program development

Team collaboration

Education

Master's of Library and Information Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

This position is responsible for leading library programs for youth ages 0-18, providing circulation and reference assistance, collection development and cataloging at the public service desks in the Children’s and Teen rooms.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Provides extensive public service at the Youth Service Desks and via telephone or email.
• Provides technical support to patrons and staff to ensure that patrons can access library services and digital tools.
• Prepares statistical, review and inventory reports.
• Assists with readers’ advisory, local library network item holds requests, out-of-network hold requests compiled and forwarded to the interlibrary loan librarian as needed.
• Coordinates staffing of the service desk; greets patrons, answer questions, makes book recommendations, oversees the work of and guides staff.
• Supports supervisors in planning and coordinating programming that meets the needs of patrons and the community.
• Selecting items for collection development including purchasing print and non-print media.
• Enforces the behavior policy to maintain a positive and safe environment for youth.
• Plans, promotes, and implements engaging programs for children and coordinates summer reading program.
• Provides, coordinates, and supervises reference and readers advisory services to children, young adults, teachers, and caregivers.
• Creates book displays, flyers, and posts on social media to promote the Youth Services collection and services to publicize Library events.
• Performs similar or related work as required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Any equivalent combination of the below-listed education, training, certification, and experience is qualifying.

• Master's of Library and Information Science
• 1 to 3 years of experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of relevant Massachusetts General Laws related to essential functions; principles and practices of public library programs and services to children and young adults; readers advisory skills; computer and portable device operation; youth literature.
• Strong communication skills, problem solving skills and customer service skills; use of computer programs Microsoft Office and Google Suites, email, Internet search engines and website maintenance; motivation, building relationships, and developing programs and services to meet the needs of the community; organization and planning as well as a broad interest in learning and literature.
• Ability to multi-task and manage conflict; work under fast paced conditions; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; maintain good public relations and to maintain effective collaborative working relationships with City departments, department heads, fellow employees, officials and the general public and to respond in a courteous and professional manner; meet deadlines; work independently; learn new software as needed.

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.

• Works primarily indoors in a public library setting.
• Sits or stands, with intermittent periods of stooping and walking. May be required to move objects such as files, boxes of paper, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Frequently using computers, library equipment (i.e., laser cutter, cutting machines, sewing machines, etc.), book labeling, and creating handouts.
• Visual demands routinely require reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

The City of Medford is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/504 Employer Residents of the City of Medford, Women, People of Color, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.