Teen Services Librarian, Melrose Public Library, Melrose, MA

Posted January 19, 2024

Please send a letter of interest and resume to [email protected] by January 25, 2024.
Title: Teen Services Librarian
Department: Library
Supervisor: Library Assistant Director; Library Director
Status: Library Union Full Time – 36 Hours – Level B, Starting wage $27.56 per hour

commensurate with experience

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 –
2. 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.
3. Continually assesses programming; integrating new, innovative and diverse programming
   to fit community needs.
4. 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.
5. 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.