Youth Services Librarian (40 hrs.) Main Library

Location: Main Library

Starting pay range: $51,064.00 - $68,619.20 annually

About the Position

The Youth Services Librarian will provide a positive and enriching experience by engaging youth and their caregivers in conversation and activities while promoting literacy and reading. This position will develop and deliver programming and services for youth aligned with the library’s Young Minds Strategy, which is designed to help youth establish the foundation for a successful life. Responsibilities include collection management, general customer service, and community outreach efforts with schools and organizations serving youth and families.

The Young Minds Strategy focuses on three categories:

• Ready for Kindergarten: building kindergarten readiness skills for ages 0-5
• Third Grade Reading: supports and promotes early literacy development for K-3rd grade
• High School Graduation: support and preparation for tweens and teens

Schedule

• One weeknight closing shift: 12pm–9pm
• Other weekdays: 9am–6pm
• Alternating Friday/Saturday rotation: 9am–6pm
• 1 in 5 Sundays: 1:00pm–5:00pm (as assigned)

Responsibilities

• Proactively provides a high level of customer service and assists customers through various aspects of utilizing the library, including expert-level reference service in person, over the phone, by email, and chat.
• Develops, implements, and promotes teen and children’s programs and informal engagements in support of CML’s Young Minds strategy.
• Provides readers’ advisory to customers (in person and virtually) using appropriate sources of information, including knowledge of the collection, the publishing industry, and relevant resources.
• Trains and guides staff and customers in the use of research databases, community resources, digital resources, and reference tools.
• Evaluates and provides feedback on the location’s juvenile collection and leads collection management and visual merchandizing activities based on community needs, usage levels, and relevance of materials.
• Constructs and applies a detailed approach to training for customers and staff on the use of library resources (print and digital) and/or community resources.
• Adds expertise to system-level information and community resource training for staff.
• Promotes the library through community outreach, relationship building, and information sharing with schools and other organizations serving youth and families.
• Promotes behaviors and activities supporting early literacy skills, developmentally appropriate tools, and resources for youth of all ages and promotes the advancement of reading.
• Supervises volunteers and/or practicum students/interns.
• May participate and present at local, state, and national conferences.
• Assumes responsibility for the operation of the location in the absence of a manager.
• Performs additional duties as assigned, including being a project lead and/or serving on task forces, committees, etc.

Requirements

• Master’s of Library and Information Science Degree from an ALA-accredited institution of higher learning.
• 1–3 years’ experience working with youth.
• Ability to use appropriate judgment in handling information and records.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Customer-focused mindset, meeting the expectations and requirements of external and internal customers.
• Ability to effectively present in a variety of formal settings—one-on-one, group, peers, direct reports, etc.
• Ability to operate library technology, including personal computers, email, software programs (e.g., Windows/Microsoft Office), and other job-related equipment and systems.
• Ability to utilize reliable transportation to promptly report to job assignments and other locations, per job requirements.

Benefits

A robust benefits package that supports your physical, mental, and financial well-being, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Access to mental health resources and employee assistance programs.
• Generous paid time off and leave options.
• Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and additional investment & savings plans.
• A variety of voluntary and supplemental insurance plans.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles (e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, and/or working in moderate outdoor weather conditions). Work requires occasional lifting or pushing of up to 50 lbs. and the frequent lifting or pushing of up to 20 lbs.