Assistant Director/Director of Youth Services, Ashland Public Library (Ashland, MA)
Posted October 20, 2025
Job Description:
Ashland Public Library in Ashland, MA is seeking a committed and engaged Assistant Director/Director of Youth Services Librarian serving a fun and diverse community. This is a 40 hour/week position (one evening a week and two Saturdays a month) with full benefits. Salary range $65,000 – $75,000. This is a terrific position for a current children’s librarian with a bit of management experience who is looking for the next step!
The Assistant Director also acts as Director of Youth Services, and is responsible for outreach, programming, budgeting, collection development and the planning and implementation of services to children and the families of children. The employee also assists the Director in performing professional and administrative work including, but not limited to, scheduling, payroll and the payment of invoices; and helps to manage all activities and services of the Library. The Assistant Director assumes responsibility for the library in the absence of the Library Director.
Essential Functions:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Supervises:
~One 35 hour a week Library Assistant
~One 28 hour a week Teen Services Library Assistant
~One 35 hour a week Summer Intern paid for through a 5 year MCC grant
~Plans, executes, and evaluates program planning for children and tweens
~Evaluates and selects library materials for children based on knowledge of community needs and collection development. Maintains a well-rounded and diverse collection by weeding, replacing lost materials, and ordering materials as needed.
~Designs, prepares, implements, promotes, and evaluates a summer reading program in conjunction with the statewide reading program.
~Supervises staff and volunteers when assigned to children’s services.
~Conducts outreach services to local public and private schools, other local educational organizations, town departments and at special events in the MetroWest area.
~Promotes community awareness of the Children’s Department services and facilities through outreach services, website, social media and printed brochures and fliers.
~Represents the library and its services at public events, professional events, and in the community. Establishes effective working relationships with library staff, Ashland town departments, Ashland School Department, and other members of the Ashland community in order to ensure the delivery of quality public library services.
~Maintains records of activities and prepares monthly reports for the Library Director concerning services and programs.
~Participates in local, regional, state, and national professional development opportunities as appropriate. Attends meetings of children’s librarians and professional organizations for sharing of information and cooperative programming.
~Exercises extensive judgment, flexibility, ingenuity, and initiative.
~Performs circulation duties such as patron registration, checking books in and out, and placing reserves.
~Assists in administering all library services and programs and helps to oversee the daily internal operations of the library.
~Assumes responsibility for the library in the absence of the Library Director and represents the library in the community as needed.
~Participates in Minuteman Library Network as needed, and adheres to MLN policies. Maintains a working knowledge of contemporary issues, trends, and technology in the library profession through professional development.
~Performs other tasks, as assigned. Supports overall library operations and services through projects, outreach and other duties as appropriate and assigned.
~Required to work a variety of shifts, with some evening and weekend hours required.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill
Knowledge:
~Professional knowledge of a broad range of library science principles, concepts, techniques, and tools.
~Substantial knowledge of children’s literature, interests, development and services and ability to relate these to the needs of individual children.
Abilities:
~Ability to apply professional knowledge to the assessment and development of children’s services.
~Ability to supervise others, including training and evaluating performance.
~Ability to plan, organize, and direct special programs and services geared toward children.
~Ability to communicate effectively with children, adults, parents, and other caregivers.
~Ability to establish and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with parents, school administrators, teachers, co-workers and other members of the community.
Skill:
Strong technology skills including Word, Excel, Google Suites, Canva and WordPress. Social media a plus.
Physical and Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.
Physical Skills:
The ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
Motor Skills:
Motor skills needed for moving objects, operating a computer, copying and scanning documents.
Visual Skills:
~Ability to read, see, and differentiate between colors. Ability to read documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes on a daily basis. ~Ability to read a computer or mobile device daily.
Schedule:
This is a permanent, full time, 40 hour position that includes one evening (probably Thursday) until 8:00 p.m. and every first and third Saturday (with a Friday switch).
Qualifications
Education and Experience: The Assistant Director must have a Master’s Degree in Library Science with specific coursework in children’s literature or services and at least two years of experience in children’s services, including book selection and programming or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
~Incumbent must have a Master’s Degree in Library Science with specific coursework in children’s literature or services and at least two (2) years experience in children’s services, including book selection and programming.
~A degree in a related field such as early childhood education, elementary education or child psychology is a plus.
~In addition, a person with exceptional promise, and experience who expresses an interest in completing the MBLC certification process with an emphasis on children’s librarianship may also be considered.
Full/Part Time
Full Time
Education
MLS/Masters
Salary Range
$65,000.00 – $75,000.00 / year
How to Apply:
Please apply with resume and letter of interest on the library’s website: