Youth Services Librarian

Description

This is professional position with the Youth Services Department, serving the community in a multi-branch library system. Work involves providing information and referral help to patrons, and managing materials selection and weeding in assigned areas. Youth Services Librarians also plan, implement, and evaluate youth programs and events, working to partner with local educators and organizations to provide varied opportunities for enrichment.

Work involves performing tasks related to circulation, collection maintenance, creative programming, reader’s advisory and information services. Plans, implements and presents programs in the library and offsite; maintaining relationships with early childhood centers and organizations, schools and community groups. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Director of Youth Services and within the framework of general policies and guidelines with periodic supervision. Work is reviewed through observation and conferences as well as review of reports submitted.

Examples of Duties

PUBLIC SERVICE

Works the public service desk, providing excellent customer service, answering questions, providing readers advisory, and assisting patrons with public PCs and other technology/digital literacy questions.

Provides readers advisory services to the public in person, through online platforms, and by creating displays, handouts and other physical media.

Fills in at the circulation desk, as needed.

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

Responsible for developing assigned collection areas. This duty includes selection, weeding and general collection care in an assigned collection area (physical or digital) in a multi-branch system.

Stays current on collection development trends for patrons ages 0-18, commonly seeking new and inventive ways to instill a love of literacy for our younger populations.

PROGRAMMING:

Prepares and facilitates creative programming for preschool, school-age, middle grades, and young adults/teens; assists with special events and annual reading challenges, book-talks for various ages, outreach visits/programs, and conducts tours.

Identifies and partners with community organizations that align with organizational goals to provide programs and services.

Contacts educators, community group organizers and other aligned partners to develop new programs and services, maintain strong connections to current groups and partners and to ensure active promotion for the library mission.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL DUTIES:

Periodically serves at Person-In-Charge during evening and weekend shifts.

Works with the Director of Youth Services to provide feedback on and new policies and procedures, digital resources, and organizational initiatives for the library in area of responsibility.

Serves on varied cross-departmental internal committees.

Communicates clearly and efficiently both orally and in writing for both internal audiences and the public.

Typical Qualifications

Possession of a valid Class D Illinois driver's license or an equivalent license from the employee's state of residence.

Requires the knowledge and mental development equivalent to that which would typically be acquired through the completion of a Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-Accredited institution; or any combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

Experience with reference and Youth Services resources, including books, database, and internet searching.

Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating library programs for different age groups and demographics, including birth to teen, and families.

Experience speaking comfortably in a public presentation format.

Ability to establish contacts and effective working relationships with partner organizations, public servants, and businesses.

Excellent customer service skills and the ability to provide high quality, customer-focused service to patrons at any service desk as needed.

Excellent problem-solving skills in assisting patrons in the search for information.

Following oral and written directions from supervisors.

Communicating clearly and efficiently both orally and in writing for both internal audiences and the public.

Working independently as well as working effectively as a member of a larger team within the library, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors, employees and the general public.

Knowledge of English, reading, and arithmetic.

Knowledge of general literature as would be acquired through extensive reading and an interest in the field.

Experience writing clear and concise reports.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES:

Being a team-player and work pleasantly and effectively with all patrons, staff, supervisors, and others.

Able to learn various job functions, perform them correctly, and understand the necessity in overall library operations.

Able to independently function efficiently in a changing and varied environment with frequent interruptions.

Exercises good judgment and detail-oriented.

Proficient in general computer programs and troubleshooting; familiarity with apps, social media tools, library technology, and other general office equipment.

Able to follow all library policies and procedures.

Demonstrates commitment to incorporating principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility into everyday work.

Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and excel within our work culture.

Excellent customer service skills and enjoyment in providing high quality, customer-focused service to patrons from varying backgrounds and levels of familiarity with the library’s services and facilities.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Supplemental Information

Selected candidates must meet a resident requirement established by city ordinance, which currently requires all city employees to live within a 60-minute drive to Rock Island City Hall within one year of hire date.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in an office and service-floor environments at the Downtown Library and its branches. Occasional work is required in extreme weather at offsite events or on the mobile Library2Go. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to be able to sit, stand, kneel, bend, crouch, crawl, and walk, and is occasionally subjected to prolonged sitting, standing, and visual concentration.

The employee is also required to be able to reach above the head and do overhead lifting of books and other materials. In addition, the employee is frequently called upon to be able to lift up to 20 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds, and to regularly push and/or pull heavily loaded rolling carts. The employee is required to use hands to handle, finger and feel objects, tools, and controls. The employee periodically encounters verbally hostile and abusive patrons, as well as other undesirable behaviors.

Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to read various sizes of print.