Teen Services Librarian

Title: Teen Services Librarian

Department: Library

Supervisor: Library Assistant Director; Library Director

Status: Library Union Full Time -36 Hours, including evenings and weekends; optional Sunday hours at time and a half

Salary & Benefits: Salary starting rate: $27.56 - $31.01 DOE (initial steps of an 11-step scale. Level B); Benefits include educational incentive and 2 weeks’ vacation at 6 months; weekend and evening differential; generous personal and sick leave; comprehensive health care coverage (City pays 84%) or an opt-out incentive; 4 weeks’ vacation at one year; optional Sunday hours paid at time and a half

Introduction:

Melrose Public Library is seeking a versatile, enthusiastic and people-loving professional librarian to join our team with an adaptable, welcoming and positive outlook. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a major renovation/construction project. In 2024 library services will move from the current interim location to our permanent home, complete with a first-ever dedicated Teen Room.

Summary:
The Library is a fast paced, service-driven environment with ever-changing, multiple priorities and demands. The Teen Services Librarian is a Department Head position responsible for services and outreach to the middle and high school aged population, under the supervision of the Library Director and Assistant Director, as well as regular shifts at the main Circulation Desk. Performs duties with minimal supervision following established policies and procedures. Responsibility for judgment, thoroughness and competence is essential. Staff in this position assume responsibilities of person in charge of building, when necessary. This position requires the ability to maintain a positive, professional attitude and an unflappable demeanor with a healthy dose of humor.

General Duties (illustrative and not all-inclusive):

1. Plans, publicizes and supervises all library programming for community members ages 11 -18. This includes, but is not limited to: Summer Reading Club programs, outreach to local schools and organizations, and year-round programming for tweens and teens.

2. Continually assesses programming; integrating new, innovative and diverse programming to fit community needs.

3. Seeks advice from Head of Children’s Services, particularly in regards to the Tween population. Actively collaborates with the Head of Children’s Services in the endeavor to grow Tween/Teen programming and outreach.

4. Manages all aspects of fiction and nonfiction collections in all formats for patrons ages 11 - 18, including ordering new material and weeding dated material, maintenance of the collection through inventory, shelf reading, and weeding of materials. Collection development should ensure a diverse and current collection that meets the needs of the Melrose and NOBLE communities and is in line with the Melrose Public Library Collection Development Policy and available space and budget. Continual assessment is essential.

5. Understands and implements library policies and procedures as they relate to the teen population, including those related to confidentiality of patron records, in accordance with

Massachusetts General Laws, Trustees of Melrose Public Library, and NOBLE policy.

6. Responsible for setting and achieving annual department goals for the Strategic Plan that support the overall annual goals of the library, in conjunction with the Library Director.

7. Provides customer service including reader’s advisory and homework help with tact, courtesy, sensitivity and discretion in dealings with patrons of all ages. A strong commitment to excellent customer service and providing a welcoming environment is required.

8. Provides Assistant Director with information necessary for the overall day-to-day management of the library as a whole; works collaboratively with all professional staff to achieve maximum efficiency and excellent customer service overall.

9. Maintains the library’s circulating collection in proper condition, selecting material for mending, replacing or discarding.

10. Acts as liaison to the middle and high school librarians and teachers - actively encourages communication between the schools and the public library. Creates new and innovative opportunities for collaboration in the community.

11. Researches and writes grants for service to middle and high school aged patrons, with the approval of the Assistant Director.

12. Acts as Coordinator for all teen volunteers. Communicates with Assistant Director and other professional staff to determine needs throughout the building that can be met by teen volunteers.

13. Remains informed on current best practices regarding both school curricula and public library teen programs and initiatives. Maintains knowledge of classical and current trends in young adult literature.

14. Maintains library website content relating to collections, programming and services for the age 11 - 18 population. Assist other departments as needed. Helps to coordinate overall website.

15. Creates attractive and interesting displays of library materials; works with other staff to create a physically welcoming environment.

16. Attends professional seminars and conferences; implements new tools and information.

17. Participates in the hiring, onboarding, and training of part time Teen Room staff; oversees the scheduling and ongoing evaluation, communication and managing of Teen Room staff in conjunction with the Assistant Director.

18. Under the direction of the Assistant Director, coordinates the hiring, onboarding, and training of building-wide page staff; oversees the scheduling and ongoing evaluation, communication, and managing of page staff in conjunction with other relevant department heads.

19. Supports library assistant and page staff within the Circulation department; understands and implements all Circulation policies. Resolves any matters that require a supervisor's discretion.

20. Understands and implements practices of team building and participative management.

21. Fills in at the Reference or Children's public desks and assists library assistants as needed.

22. Regularly scheduled evening and weekend hours are required. Occasional scheduling changes with additional evening or weekend hours may occur for special events.

23. Supports the mission of the public library in all activities.

24. Respond sensitively and constructively to citizen complaints; provide customer service with tact, courtesy, cultural sensitivity, and discretion in all dealings with customers.

Provide accurate information to public queries about a range of public health issues including the Housing Code and the Food Code.

25. Contribute to creating a collaborative work culture that appreciates diverse perspectives and approaches matters with flexibility and cultural relevance.

26. Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
1. An MLS, demonstrated ability to develop varied programs of interest to the middle and high school age group, and supervisory experience are required.

2. Must enjoy middle and high school aged patrons and be comfortable working with people of all ages and backgrounds.

3. Thorough knowledge of middle and high school age books, related materials, and appropriate techniques and specialized skills in working with middle and high school aged children.

4. Demonstrated problem-solving skills, creativity, initiative and enthusiasm.

5. A demonstrated ability to work constructively in a professional environment and maintain strict confidentiality is required.

6. Ability to communicate and work well in a team environment with all other library departments.

7. Ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with any and all city/local agencies serving individuals ages 11 - 18 is essential.

8. Ability to provide reliable attendance at work to ensure the smooth operation of busy public desks is essential.

9. Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to communicate effectively, patiently and courteously with co-workers, patrons and other community members.

10. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with patron records is essential.

11. Ability to focus on multiple tasks/priorities with frequent, unscheduled interruptions.

12. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

13. Experience with automated library systems; familiarity with open source library systems

(i.e. Evergreen) a plus.

14. Ability to exercise independent judgment.

Physical Demands:

Work is performed under typical public library conditions. Noise levels can be loud. Library materials may be musty. The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, reach, hear, feel and talk; to lift objects up to 30 pounds; stand for prolonged times and operate computers and similar electronic equipment; have close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.56 - $31.01 per hour

Expected hours: 36 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Work Location: In person