Youth Services Supervisor, Hopkinton Public Library, (Hopkinton, MA)

Posted August 3, 2026

Job Description:

The Hopkinton Public Library is seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, and experienced Youth Services Supervisor to lead our Children’s and Young Adult Services team. This is an exciting opportunity to shape library services for young people while working alongside a dedicated staff that values creativity, community engagement, and exceptional public service.

As Youth Services Supervisor, you’ll provide leadership for children’s and teen collections, oversee engaging programs and outreach, supervise a talented team, and help develop a vision for youth services that meets the evolving needs of our community. You’ll build strong partnerships with schools, families, and local organizations while serving as an integral member of the library’s leadership team.

Under the direction of the Library Director, the Youth Services Supervisor is responsible for providing administrative, professional, and supervisory work to ensure exceptional service to the children and teens of Hopkinton. Responsibilities include overseeing and leading the collection development of children’s and young adult materials, program planning and execution, community outreach and collaboration, department budget oversight, and supervision and evaluation of Youth Service staff.

Position Duties:

Manages all aspects of the Children’s and Young Adult Departments.
Provides a vision for youth services in collaboration with the Director and develops a strategy to achieve that vision; stays abreast of developments and trends in youth services.
Works with parents, teachers, daycare providers, school librarians, other town departments, and non-profit organizationsQu that work with youth to collaborate on and expand library services.
Evaluates and makes recommendations to the Director regarding Youth Services policies. Confers with the Library Director to determine departmental needs, assesses current programs, and proposes and implements changes for improved operations.
Provides input relative to general library policies and procedures to improve overall operations. Anticipates problems and takes steps to devise and implement solutions.
Maintains contact with a diverse general public. Assists patrons in learning about library resources and services.
Engages in varying levels of contact with co-workers, town employees, Trustees, Friends of the Library, the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, and community organizations. Provides community outreach, forming relationships with community members and groups.
Attends workshops and conferences that enhance library skills relevant to this position. Participates in network and regional library committees, as time and schedule permit. Represents the Library at appropriate professional meetings and conferences as requested.
In collaboration with the Children’s Librarian and the Young Adult Librarian, manages the selection, weeding, and collection development of all print and non-print resources within the division, which mayinclude books, standing orders, databases, and specialized collections, including the Library of Things.
Reads professional literature and reviews.
Reports to the Director on fulfillment of divisional objectives. Provides interpretation of the Library Materials Selection Policy; enforces library regulations. Refers patrons to other divisions, individuals, or service agencies as appropriate.
Works with the Library Director to identify and execute special projects that may include designing and conducting surveys and writing and administering grants.
Delegates and assigns duties within the division as required. Under the guidance of the Library Director, develops annual goals and objectives for the division and divisional personnel. Supervises other youth services staff and volunteers.
Regularly provides desk coverage of the Young Adult and Children’s departments service desks. Provides information, readers’ advisory, and research assistance to youth, their parents, and caregivers in direct consultation or via telephone, email, instant messaging, and other emerging technologies.
Attends staff meetings and division head meetings, develops and conducts staff meetings for own division; participates in activities and task forces related to the automated network.
Responsible for scheduled routine evening and weekend coverage of a variety of library public service desks. Routinely functions as daily, evening, or weekend building supervisor, having first-response responsibility for the staff, facility, and the public.
Monitors expenditures. Other duties as assigned, including preservation, clerical, and shelving tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program and three (3) to five (5) years of progressive supervisory experience in a public library setting, with a primary focus on youth services; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Knowledge of automated library systems and experience with Evergreen preferred.

Knowledge, Ability and Skills:

Knowledge of public library principles, practices, policies, and procedures, including extensive knowledge of customer service best practices, automated library systems, and other library-related software. Proficiency with information technology. Knowledge of reference sources and the organization and management of library reference operations. Knowledge, training, and ability in advanced library procedures, including online information research. Ability to plan, problem solve, and make decisions in varying circumstances to address complaints and resolve problems, including interpretation of library policy. Ability to interact tactfully and appropriately with library patrons and staff; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to establish
positive public relations; ability to work independently while exercising judgment; ability to learn new computer operations and related library databases; ability to troubleshoot computers and other library equipment. Skill in management, planning, and supervisory skills, including the ability to function well as part of a management team that supports the overall goals of the library, as formulated by the Trustees, Town Manager, and Library Director. Computer skills that encompass effective use of word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, social media, and library software.

Hours & Compensation:

Full-time, competitive benefits and leave package
Schedule includes regular evening and weekend hours. Flexibility is essential.
Anticipated hiring range: $72,259.20 – $86,715.20
Full salary range: $72,259.20 – $101,171.20

How To Apply:

To be considered for first priority review, please submit a completed Application for Employment, cover letter, and resume by 4:00 PM on Friday, August 14, 2026. Applications received after this date will be reviewed as received and the position will remain open until filled.