Youth Services Librarian, Manchester Community Library, Manchester, VT

Posted October 17, 2019

The Manchester Community Library (MCL) is seeking a curious, imaginative, creative, and mission-driven individual who believes in the power of libraries in transforming both communities and individuals. The right person will embrace our diverse community and will possess the interpersonal, organizational, and critical thinking skills along with the knowledge necessary to serve as the authority on youth and young adult services and programming.

The incumbent leads collection management and the planning, coordination, presentation of programs, services, enrichment opportunities, and special-interest groups geared for children and teens. The Youth Services Librarian is also responsible for communicating about youth and young adult services and programming. This full-time benefitted position requires balancing multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and forward-thinking environment with an emphasis on providing exemplary patron experience.

 

About Us

Since the opening of our new building in 2014, the MCL has established itself as a hub of community life. Open to all, the Library is a place that not only connects patrons with books and ideas but with one another. Libraries such as ours are unique. Individuals of all ages walk through our doors, attending movie nights, practicing yoga, learning mah jongg, and finding companionship. At the MCL we are committed to creating a space where people from across all walks of life can come together and access freely our shared culture and heritage. Our Mission: The Manchester Community Library is open to all as an inspiring gathering place for the community, providing opportunities and resources for personal enrichment and growth.

 

On Vermont 

Southern Vermont is an extraordinary place to call home. Surrounded by mountains and natural beauty, the air is pristine, communities safe, and the quality of life outstanding. Farmers markets abound in the summers and winters offer a diverse array of nordic activities. We have strong schools and easy access via Amtrak and Albany International Airport. A rich number of art and cultural organizations are within easy reach along with a deep and abiding sense of community that is rare to find. For the right individual, this is a dream job in a dream library with a committed Board, Executive Director, and staff.

 

Our Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor’s Degree required; MLIS plus two years of progressively responsible library administration experience preferred. Experience in a supervisory capacity in youth and young adult programming and services preferred. 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; in-depth knowledge of library automation systems. Technologically savvy; data and outcomes driven. Basic graphic design experience preferred. 

• A broad knowledge of the current youth landscape and children’s and young adult literature. 

• A passion for working closely with children, teens, and their caregivers with imagination, confidence, and enthusiasm. 

• Warm, engaged, collaborative, flexible, and enthusiastic disposition; open-minded and receptive to feedback. 

• Successful in cultivating positive, collaborative working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, co-workers, Board members, patrons, and volunteers as part of a coordinated team. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak compellingly about the Library’s mission. 

• Resourceful and self-directed; pro-active and adept at anticipating organizational needs. 

• Capacity to multi-task and prioritize competing demands while remaining calm, positive, and detail-oriented. 

• Experience participating in the direction, supervision, and performance management of support staff or volunteers. 

• Rigorous standards for personal and professional integrity. 

Able to work occasional evening and weekend hours. Valid driver’s license and transportation required.

 

Responsibilities

Programming & Services 

• Analyze trends and the expressed and anticipated needs and interests related youth and young adults; research creative opportunities, and field proposals by potential presenters.

• Develop, coordinate, promote, and implement programs, events, and special-interest groups that meet the needs and interests of children of all ages (e.g, Story Time, Summer Reading Program, Super Saturdays, Family Fun Friday Nights, Makers Clubs, Story Walks, Lego League, and STEAM-related workshops).

• Provide library membership opportunities, orientation, and reference and reader’s advisory service to children, young adults, daycare, and school classrooms.

• Collaborate with youth and young adults in planning and implementing services.

• Seek out, write and administer small grant applications; complete follow-up reports.

• Supervise paid and volunteer assistants with programming and activities.

 

Collection Development 

• Research, evaluate, select, and place orders for materials for Library acquisition.

• Curate the collection to select, evaluate, maintain, and discard the youth and young adult collections based on professional judgment, patron preferences, and review sources to ensure our collection is diverse, current, relevant and meets the community’s needs.

 

Community Outreach, Public Relations and Communications

• Provide outreach programs and opportunities for youth and young adult services.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships, and communicate with schools, teachers, daycares, businesses, organizations, and community stakeholders to engage them in co-hosting, co-sponsoring, and participation in programs and events.

• Leverage relationships with experts, artists, presenters, performers, and others in the community to provide services and programs that meet the needs and interests of children and teens.

• Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with media outlets in the region; coordinate with local public access cable television station for coverage.

• Create, disseminate, and oversee promotions and communications related to programs/events, including press releases to online and print media outlets, community publications, promotional print materials (e.g., posters and banners, upcoming events bookmarks, email alerts, submission to online events listings, and Letters to the Editor about programs, sponsor acknowledgement, collaborations, etc.).

 

Administrative

• Participate in developing and enforcing goals, policies, and procedures that relate to youth services and needs.

• Prepare accurate and timely youth and young adult programming statistics and reports as needed.

• Participate in preparing the annual budget as it relates to youth and young adult services and needs.

• Attend staff meetings prepared to participate in problem solving discussions.

• Serve on, or advise, Board committees as deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees and Executive Director.

• Participate in the Vermont Library Association.

 

Physical Requirements

• Frequent need to see, walk, sit, stand, talk, and hear.

• Occasional need to bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch.

• Ability to read, write and communicate fluently in English.

• Dexterity to perform data entry on a computer, laptop, iPad, or other electronic device.

• Visual acuity sufficient to read print in 8-point font.

• Physical dexterity to reach shelves of various heights, push full carts. Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

 

The above job description describes the general nature, tasks, responsibilities, and level of work to be performed; it is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of every responsibility, duty, and skill required for the position. A criminal background check is required. 

 

Application Instructions

Please email a cover letter and resume to J. Violet Gannon, Executive Director, ([email protected]).