Youth Services Librarian

Provides professional assistance and educational instruction to children and youth (infants up to seventeen years of age), their parents, and caregivers. Offers direct patron assistance and performs circulation duties as needed. Reports to Branch Librarian.

Responsibilities

• Selects and maintains youth materials in accordance with the Collection Development Policy.
• Devises systems for evaluating collection development and surveys branch library needs.
• Identifies and sources materials within budgetary constraints.
• Provides customer service focused on youth and parents/caregivers.
• Develops, implements, and promotes programs and events for children and youth, including the Summer Reading Program.
• Conducts community outreach to children and families.
• Serves as a liaison with community groups and the South Carolina State Library for Youth Services.
• Maintains current knowledge of developmental characteristics and issues affecting children.
• Designs Programming Kits, Adventure Packs, and Special Collections.
• Oversees youth collection maintenance based on condition, currency, and relevancy.
• Directs and coordinates Library Youth Services staff, including program planning, meetings, and training.
• Performs circulation tasks: checking materials in/out, managing holds, processing new books/periodicals, and handling fines.
• Provides general customer service: answering phones, assisting with directional questions, and supporting patrons with computers/copiers.
• Processes payments, reconciles cash drawers, and assists with deposits.
• Offers readers’ advisory, answers reference questions, and assists with locating print/digital materials.
• Plans and implements library programs.
• Prepares monthly reports, statistics, incident reports, and general correspondence.
• Maintains and cleans Special Collections (e.g., Adventure Packs, TonieBoxes®, Discovery Kits, Wi-Fi Hotspots).
• Creates displays and marketing materials for programs and events.
• Shelves materials and processes requests for reconsideration of youth collection items.
• Serves on the Request for Reconsideration committee.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Library Science with one year of Youth Services and/or library experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Applicants enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLS program (with at least half the required classes completed) and one year of public library employment will be considered.
• Exemplary customer service skills.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Ability to operate various machines and office equipment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical and background check.
• Ability to follow Horry County Government and Library policies and procedures.