Branch Teen Librarian, Whatcom County Library System, Lynden, WA
Posted March 16, 2015
The Whatcom County Library System seeks an energetic, innovative and dynamic Branch Teen Librarian to help today’s teenagers navigate the information world. Connect them to information they need, their way. Show them how to feel safe, respected, challenged, and empowered. Provide them with opportunities to develop 21st century skills. Demonstrate knowledge of the unique needs of adolescents. We are looking for a self-motivated, problem solving, creative individual who can facilitate a team, establish community relationships, organize and develop planning, and connect with teens and their adults. Requires Master’s Degree and three years relevant experience; Master in Library Science and Librarian certification preferred. Experience working with teens, and passion for young adult literature required. Full-time position. Beginning compensation of $4,050 per month, plus excellent benefits. Apply by Friday, April 10th.
Position: Branch Teen Librarian
Department: Youth Services
Responsibilities: Help today’s teenagers navigate the information world. Connect them to information they need, their way. Show them how to feel safe, respected, challenged, and empowered. Provide them with opportunities to develop 21st century skills. Demonstrate knowledge of the unique needs of adolescents. We are looking for a self-motivated, problem solving, creative individual who can facilitate a team, establish community relationships, organize and develop planning, and connect with teens and their adults.
The Branch Teen Librarian manages services for teens in a branch or branch region including:
- Partnership: Establish and maintain strong relationships with local community schools via school visits, book talks and other means, community groups and afterschool youth agencies. Be involved in community initiatives targeted to teens and teen issues.
- Program development: Design, promote and present programs and activities of interest to teens both within the library and out in the community; coordinate teen summer reading program in branch or region.
- Collection and service maintenance: make recommendations for teen collection additions and withdrawals, visual display of collections, shelf reading, and upkeep of teen areas.
- Customer service: Assist patrons of all ages in a complete range of services at a single service Reference/Information Desk for approximately 20 hours per week.
- Impact teens’ lives: promote reading, information literacy, and library use among teens; recommend service policies and procedures to best serve teens.
Qualifications: You value working with teens and appreciate all of their originality and are passionate about young adult literature and able to promote books to teens and their adults. You create enthusiasm for the library when visiting with students at area schools. You are knowledgeable about what today’s teens want and are sensitive to their needs; you possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds, especially youth and teens. You have a talent for imaginative, inventive, and exciting programming and know how to merchandise and design powerful book displays. You value customer service for all patrons as well as fellow co-workers. You are spontaneous and unafraid to take risks and learn something new. You are a champion for the teens you serve. Requires the ability to speak, understand, and write English clearly and concisely; a Master’s degree and three years’ relevant experience (Master’s in Library Science and State of Washington Librarian certification preferred). Work requires considerable physical effort in the handling of materials up to 30 pounds and/or continual standing or walking 60%+ of the time. New employees are subject to a CRC (criminal records check) per RCW 43.43.832.
Location: Regular hours at the Lynden Library in Whatcom County, Washington, with teen outreach to the surrounding branch region. Perennially recognized by the national media as one of the best places to live in America, Whatcom County is a place that truly has something for everyone. With magnificent natural scenery, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Baker, hiking, arts and theatre, and charming communities, Whatcom County is a unique area of Washington State. Located 90 minutes from Seattle and within an hour of Vancouver, British Columbia, the County’s northern border with Canada gives it a unique flavor geared to cross-border shopping and recreation.
Union: Membership in AFSCME, AFL-CIO Local 1581 required commencing not more than 30 days after employment, according to the terms and conditions described in the current bargaining agreement.
Schedule: 40 regular scheduled weekly hours, including evening and weekend shifts. Successful candidates may be required to adapt to future schedule changes depending on library needs.
Compensation: $4,050 per month with excellent benefits including Social Security, retirement, medical, dental and optical insurance; paid vacation and sick leave, EAP, and a fun and innovative work environment that values the contributions of our employees.
Posting Dates: Friday, 03/13/15 to Friday, 04/10/15
Application: Submit a completed WCLS Application Packet* to:
Sarah Ward, Branch Manager
Lynden Library
216 4th Street
Lynden, WA 98264
Phone: (360) 305-3600, ext. 138
Email: [email protected]
* Application packets must include:
- Completed WCLS Employment Application (also available at the address above or any branch library)
- Resume and cover letter that illustrates your past experience and/or training working with teens and how it would help you meet the demands of this position
Job Begins: As soon after hiring as possible.
Selection: Selection criteria may include the contents of the application, an oral interview and skills test. Selection of applicants for further consideration and/or possible testing will be determined by the information supplied by the applicants on their applications and accompanying documents. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to supply sufficient information and detail on the application to permit WCLS to properly determine the applicant’s qualifications, abilities and attributes as they relate to the listed position. Interviews will be scheduled ONLY with best qualified applicants, based upon applications, resumes and other documents received, and test results. Applicants who need accommodation during the application, testing or interview process should contact Human Resources.