Librarian I Teen librarian, Guilderland Public Library, Guilderland, NY

Posted May 7, 2025

Job Description

The Guilderland Public Library is a vibrant suburban community hub dedicated to providing exceptional library services and resources to residents of all ages. We are a school district public library, serving a population of over 36,000 Guilderland residents and beyond as part of the Upper Hudson Library System. Our building has been recently renovated, and includes ample study and meeting rooms for the public, colorful office spaces with adjustable height desks and dual monitors for workers, plentiful off street parking, large banks of windows, a cozy reading garden, electric car charging, and a variety of fun details to discover. We are seeking a new full time Librarian I to join our team in our Programs & Public Services Department (PPS), in the Youth Services unit.

The Youth and Teen Services Librarian collaborates with the Youth Services staff to address the needs of Guilderand’s diverse youth populations. The Librarian is an advocate for our community’s teens, understands their unique needs for growth and development, and creates and implements relevant programming and opportunities. A collection that is inclusive, developmentally appropriate, equitable, and accessible is developed and maintained by the Librarian who also serves as steward of a welcoming, browseable, and interesting Teen Space. A Librarian I creates reports, documentation, and proposals in support of departmental functions and goals, and provides supervision of service operations in the absence of a PPS Department Head.

Key Responsibilities

Programs
- Designs, leads, and evaluates programs and events for members of the community, primarily aged 12-18, including:
  - Teen Advisory Group
  - Teen Volunteer Activities
  - Variety of inclusive and engaging programs
  - Special collaborative events
  - Summer reading programs and activities
- Selects and coordinates with outside performers and presenters
- Represents the library via public speaking at events, including introducing performers
- May be called about to teach a story time for younger children as needed to support schedule conflicts.
Collection Development
- Selects materials, with a focus on teen and youth audiences
- Conducts weeding and participates in shelving/reorganization projects to maintain a relevant and accessible collection
- Assesses materials and runs reports as assigned using the Sierra ILS (including Create Lists), Decision Center, Collection HQ, and UHLS ad hoc interface
Public Service:
- Assists the public with reference inquiries, device and technology questions, study room access, and placing requests and holds at library service points, including the Adult and Youth Information desks, and via phone/email
- Educates youth readers about library principles, research strategies, and social strategies
- Provides readers’ advisory services to the public, including at the desk and via displays, handouts, and digital or printed materials
- Creates instructional handouts and guides
- Ensures patrons are educated on policies and enforces rules of public behavior
Outreach:
- Liaises with community groups, organizations, schools, and other library partners
- Represents the library at community events
Supervision and Coordination:
- Assigns tasks and supervises program and collections work of Library Assistants and volunteers
- Trains library paraprofessionals on services, reporting, and collections topics
- Participates in a nights and weekends rotation for the Programs and Public
- Services department, exercising good judgment, supervising routine operations, and enforcing policy in the absence of the PPS Department Heads
Documentation and Reporting Duties:
- Collects and compiles community feedback, keeps accurate statistics of service use and program attendance, and assesses data
- Keeps accurate records about spending on programs and collections
- Keeps detailed records of performers, speakers, and community connections
- Prepares statistical and narrative reports
- Drafts proposals
- Creates documentation of workflows as assigned
Professional Development:
- Keeps informed of trends and best practices for library service via professional organizations, conferences, system meetings, workshops, continuing education courses, and by reading professional materials

Civil Service Requirements

Employment at the Guilderland Public Library is governed by Albany County Civil Service law. Applicants must qualify for appointment under the Librarian I title (see attached description for full details). Appointment will be provisional until the candidate successfully completes a civil service exam for the title. Minimum requirements include:
- Possession of a graduate library degree from a library school program which is accredited by the American Library Association -OR- from a library school located within New York State, which is registered by the State Education Department
- Possession of a current New York State Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or interest in Education, Psychology, Arts, Music, Theater, Communications, or Hospitality preferred but not required
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
High level of creativity and willingness to experiment
Flexibility and passion for working with patrons of all ages

Compensation:

$27.97/hour, 37.5 hour workweek for an annual salary of $54,541
Benefits include NYS Retirement, health/dental/vision insurance, personal/sick/vacation time, EAP, dependent care and health spending accounts, and deferred compensation.

Please see here for more information: https://guilderlandlibrary.org/get-to-know-us/people/careers-help-wanted/

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references to Human Resource Manager, Alison Jadav at [email protected]. Portfolio of previous library programs, writing samples, or other supporting materials encouraged, but not required.

Deadline: June 6, 2025