SLIS Jobline Your Source for Professional, Pre-Professional, and Internship Positions

Youth Services Librarian, Franklin Public Library, Franklin, MA

Posted October 6, 2014

PAY RATE: $23.64 to $28.73

Franklin Public Library is seeking a Youth Services Librarian to supervise the activities of children, caregivers, youth, young adults and families. Develop, administer, and coordinate services, perform management duties including collection development, staff development, and library operations.

Job Requirements include:

  • Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science.
  • Three years of children’s or young adult reference experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise others.

A copy of the job description is below.

Please apply with letter of interest and copy of MLS to:

Human Resources
Town of Franklin
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-553-4810

Or email: [email protected]
EEO

THERE IS A 4 WEEK TRIAL AND TRAINING PERIOD.

Position Description

Title: Youth Services Librarian

Department: Library

Position Type: Professional

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Library Director, the Youth Services Librarian is a professional level position responsible for the planning, development, implementation and promotion of a full range of library services for children, caregivers, youth, young adults and families. This position also involves public service, reference, literacy and reader’s advisory, collection development, materials processing, circulation, interlibrary loan, programming, community activities and outreach.

Essential Functions:

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

Management and Supervision

  • Works actively to promote and provide outstanding customer service.
  • Practices and models a positive, courteous image to the public.
  • Designs, organizes, executes, supervises and evaluates services and programs for children aged from infancy through eighteen.
  • Trains, supervises and develops library staff and volunteers.
  •  Interprets and explains policies to public and staff. Addresses patron questions, complaints or problems referred by staff.
  • Provides youth based innovative technology initiatives.
  • Identifies outside sources of funding and writes effective grant applications.
  • Assesses effectiveness of the department’s services using statistical analysis of service data.
  • Participates in information gathering & data collection. Prepares and presents reports.

Programming

  • Develops, plans and presents creative, educational, and entertaining programs and special events for youth of all ages that encourage lifetime literacy, including programs for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary age children and teens.
  • Supervises the development and implementation of an extensive selection of innovative programs for children from preschool through high school, including story times, book discussion groups and special events.

Collection Development & Maintenance

  • Works within the budget allocation to build a relevant collection of high quality resources in many formats based on the Library’s Collection Development Policy, in consultation of a wide variety of acknowledged reviewing sources, professional judgment, needs assessment, requests, and cultural and educational interests of young people. Assigns collection development subject areas to staff.
  • Participates in the development and management of the library’s electronic and digital resources.
  • Evaluates and implements improvements to the collection using a variety of evaluation tools and maintenance criteria.  Oversees collection maintenance.
  • Ensures that the children’s and young adult’s areas are organized in such a way as to create a physical and psychological environment that encourages use of the collection.
  • Assists in cataloging and processing library materials.

Reference Services

  • Provides general and in-depth reference assistance to patrons of all ages using a variety of print resources and automated systems.
  • Provides instruction on information gathering and research skills; the use of the Online Public Access Catalog, online databases, the Internet, and all library equipment and technology.
  • Performs network transfer functions, responds to interlibrary loan requests and performs virtual catalog searches.

Outreach Services

  • Provides outreach programs that offer information, education, special skills or recreation.
  • Establishes liaison and performs outreach activities with schools, home school providers, day care center, caregivers, community centers, and agencies serving youth to promote library services and facilitate programming and service delivery.
  • Coordinates assignments and summer reading lists with school personnel and presents book talks as requested by teachers and community groups.

Public Relations/Publicity

  • Uses all modern technologies and other innovative tools/media to effectively promote library services, programs and resources
  • Manages the children and youth web page, including development of new areas, and updating existing material. Prepares relevant and high quality content from internal and external sources.
  • Uses web and social networking tools to engage with and provide age-appropriate services to children & youth.

Additional Functions:

  • Compiles booklists and bibliographies on topics of interest to the community
  • Prepares exhibits and displays
  • Conducts library tours
  • Attends professional meetings and keeps abreast of current library practices.
  • Performs circulation and reference/information desk duties as needed.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications, Education, Skills and Abilities

  • Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science.
  • Five years of children’s or young adult reference experience. (Preferred)
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise others.
  • In-depth knowledge of children’s and youth collection development.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify, prepare, submit, and manage grants of benefit to youth.
  • Excellent computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail, Internet searches and software specific to libraries, and the ability to learn new applications.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain a positive professional approach during periods of stress and change.
  • Ability to deal tactfully with library customers of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Exhibit flexibility and willingness to work in a dynamic, busy, and changing environment.
  • Establishes and pursues strategies to stay informed about current and relevant information resources to meet evolving needs of children, youth and young adults.
  • Demonstrates an on-going commitment to continued professional development growth and career development.

Preferred

  • Three to five years of supervisory experience

Tools and Equipment Used

Personal computer; printers; telephone; copy machines and fax machines, audiovisual equipment, new technologies and other equipment as acquired.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently on his/her feet, stretching, bending, lifting. Incumbent is frequently required to walk, talk and hear. The incumbent must be able to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and up to 50 pounds with assistance. 

Work Schedule:

The work week is up to 35 hours assigned in the best interests of the Library, and will include evenings and weekends.

Professional Job Listings in New England Public Library Positions