Youth Services Librarian - Northside Branch

OHIO LIBRARY COUNCIL; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Metropolitan Library is hiring a Youth Services Librarian at the Northside Branch. The role focuses on developing and delivering youth programming, fostering literacy, and engaging families through the library’s Young Minds strategy.

The position requires an MLS from an ALA-accredited program and 1–3 years of youth experience, with strong customer service and collaboration skills. Evening and weekend hours are part of the schedule to support programs and outreach.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited MLS required.
• 1–3 years working with youth required.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to train staff and supervise volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Provides high levels of customer service in person, over the phone, by email and chat.
• Develops and promotes teen and children’s programs aligned with the Young Minds strategy.
• Provides readers’ advisory to customers using collection knowledge and resources.
• Trains staff in databases, digital resources and reference tools.
• Evaluates juvenile collection and leads collection management and merchandising.
• Promotes literacy and early literacy skills in the community.
• Supervises volunteers and practicum students; may participate in conferences.

Skills

Customer service

Teen programs

Readers' advisory

Staff training

Collection management

Community outreach

Early literacy

Volunteer supervision

Education

MLS / Master of Library Science

Tools

Library catalog systems

Job description

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Youth Services Librarian - Northside Branch

By Columbus Metropolitan Library

9/21/2026

Job Title

Youth Services Librarian - (40 hr./Exempt/Full-time)

Location

Northside Branch

Starting Pay Range

$51,064.00 - $68,619.20 annually (commensurate with experience)

Note

For internal candidates, pay adjustments are made in accordance with our Compensation and Salary Administration policy

About The Position

The Youth Services Librarian will provide a positive and enriching experience by engaging youth and their caregivers in conversation and activities while promoting literacy and reading. This position will develop and deliver programming and services for youth aligned with the library’s Young Minds Strategy. The strategy is designed to help youth establish the foundation for a successful life, as well as collection management and general customer service. Additionally, this position plays a role in community outreach efforts with schools and organizations serving youth and families.

The Young Minds Strategy Focuses On Three (3) Categories

• Ready for Kindergarten; building kindergarten readiness skills for ages 0-5
• Third Grade Reading; supports and promotes early literacy development for K-3rd grade
• High School Graduation; support and preparation for tweens and teens

Position Schedule

• Monday-Wednesday - 9am-6pm
• Thursday - 11am-8pm
• Friday/Saturday rotation - 9am-6pm (two consecutive Fridays followed by a Saturday, then two Fridays followed by a Saturday/Sunday weekend.
• 1 in 6 Sundays 12:30pm-5:00pm (as assigned)

What You’ll Do

• Proactively provides a high level of customer service and assists customers through various aspects of utilizing the library, including expert level reference service in person, over the phone, by email and chat.
• Initiates the development, implementation and promotion of teen and children’s programs and informal engagements in support of CML’s Young Minds strategy.
• Provides readers’ advisory to customers (in person and virtually) using appropriate sources of information including knowledge of the collection, the publishing industry, and relevant resources.
• Provides training and guidance to staff and customers in the use of research databases, community resources, digital resources, and reference tools.
• Evaluates and provides feedback on the location’s juvenile collection and leads collection management and visual merchandizing activities based on knowledge of the community needs, usage levels, and relevance of materials.
• Constructs and applies a detailed approach to training for customers and staff on the use of library resources (print and digital) and/or community resources. Models the use of such resources.
• Adds expertise to system-level information and community resource training for staff.
• Promotes the library through community outreach, relationship building and information sharing with schools and other organizations serving youth and families.
• Promotes behaviors and activities supporting early literacy skills, developmentally appropriate tools, and resources for youth of all ages and promotes the advancement of reading.
• Supervises volunteers and/or practicum students/interns.
• May participate and present at local, state, and national conferences.
• Assumes responsibility for the operation of the location in the absence of a manager.
• Performs additional duties as assigned including being a project lead and/or serving on task forces, committees, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s of Library and Information Science Degree from ALA accredited institution of higher learning required.
• 1-3 years’ working with youth required.
• Ability to use appropriate judgment in handling information and records.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Acts with the customer in mind using information gained from interacting with the customers. Meets the expectations and requirements of external and internal customers.
• Ability to effectively present in a variety of formal settings - one on one, group, peers, direct reports, etc. Command attention and manage group process.
• Ability to operate library technology including personal computer, email, software programs (i.e., Windows/Microsoft Office) and other job-related equipment and systems.
• Ability to utilize reliable transportation to promptly report to job assignment and other locations, per job requirements.

Job Type : Full-Time

Education Level : Master Degree