Library Associate or Associate Librarian - Youth Services

About the role

Under general supervision, this position provides a variety of reference services to assist patrons in utilizing Port Townsend Public Library (PTPL) materials and resources with an emphasis on youth and teen services. The position will be filled at either the Associate Librarian or Library Associate level depending on qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide courteous responses to patrons in person, by telephone, or electronically using a variety of sources within established guidelines.
• Assist patrons with reference and reader's advisory services, computer use, PTPL's public catalog and available digital or electronic resources.
• Research resource materials to respond to patron needs; refer patrons to a manager or other resources as needed.
• May develop and present a variety of library programs for all ages.
• Assist patrons in resolving concerns or complaints regarding the availability of facilities and materials; adjust fines and fee disputes and related patron concerns.
• Assist with collection development and maintenance activities, as assigned by the Manager/Director.
• Identify, report and address safety and security issues; refer to appropriate authorities as needed.
• Perform a variety of clerical and administrative functions including counting and preparing money transmittals; collecting and compiling statistical data and monthly programming reports; updating information binders.
• May assist in tabulating time sheets, tracking training classes, maintaining signage and bulletin boards, and ordering supplies.
• Assist in library opening and closing.
• Assure that the library facility and equipment are in good working order.
• Train, monitor and assign tasks and give direction to assigned employees and volunteers.
• Assist patrons or staff with current and emerging library technology, including digital media.
• May maintain staff schedules, as assigned.
• Design and set-up displays, as assigned.
• Assist Library Department Managers/Director in planning and presenting the annual Community Read for all ages.
• Assemble the monthly (or more frequently) library newsletter.
• Promote programs by creating flyers/posters and send announcements to the local press and other communication channels such as email listservs and social media posts.
• May have site responsibility in the absence of the Manager/Director, as assigned.
• Helps create library publicity materials.
• Assist, plan, and implement special programming and outreach programs related to adult services; help select, maintain, and develop adult materials for the library collection.
• Assist with early literacy, special programming, and outreach programs related to youth services; assist in planning and presenting programs for children from birth through age 18, both in and out of the library, through library programs and library outreach; help select children's and teen materials for the library collection; assist in planning and presenting the annual Summer Reading Program for all ages.
• Assist with acquisition, cataloging, processing, and mending of library materials; assist with collection development and maintenance of the library collection; may order and process interlibrary loan requests and returns.

Skills

• Knowledgeable about good customer service practices.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness.
• Ability to maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, management, volunteers, elected officials, and patrons.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, the general public, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.
• Ability to provide excellent library experience to patrons and colleagues by helping them find materials, use library technology, learn about library programs, and understand City and library policies.
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships, serve the public (e.g. adults, teens, children) courteously and work effectively and collaboratively with library staff.
• Ability to assist patrons with current and emerging library technology, including digital media.
• Ability to perform alphanumeric filing accurately and to learn and utilize the Dewey Decimal System.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment in a wide variety of situations.
• Ability to recognize and set priorities, plan, organize and coordinate own work.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work a schedule that may change periodically, including evenings and weekends.
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