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MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Youth Services Librarian Department Head
REPORTS TO: Library Director, Assistant Library Director
SUPERVISES: Youth Services Associates
GRADE CLASSIFICATION: Level 6 / Middletown Public Library Employees Association / NEARI
WORK SCHEDULE: Full time 35 hours per week - 5 days a week, including a mix of opening and closing shifts, as well as an every other Friday and every other Saturday schedule on an A/B week rotation, unless agreed otherwise. If/when the library is open on Sundays, the schedule will include one Sunday a month.
SALARY: In accordance with established pay scale - $35 an hour to start, and full benefits package including paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical plan.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Youth Services Librarian is a department head level professional librarian responsible for managing all aspects of services to children, teens, and their caregivers. This position supervises the youth services team, manages the youth programming calendar, and leads the library's community engagement initiatives related to children and teens by collaborating with schools, community groups, and other town departments to support early literacy, educational enrichment, and lifelong learning for Middletown's youth. The role includes direct patron service, community partnerships, and collaborative leadership within the library.
I. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 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.
1. Plan, promote, and evaluate a wide range of programs and services for children, teens, and families.
2. Coordinate, develop, and maintain the youth collections, including materials selection, weeding, and display. Oversee and coordinate the cataloging and acquisitions of all youth materials.
3. Oversee the library's digital collections for children and teens, including eBooks, audiobooks, online databases, and digital subscriptions.
4. Oversee the work of youth services team members and support their project development and creativity.
5. Provide reference, reader's advisory, and technology assistance to children, teens, and caregivers.
6. Build relationships with local schools and educators to support student learning and outreach. Build and maintain community partnerships with local organizations, nonprofits, and businesses. Represent the library at community and school events, meetings, and outreach opportunities related to youth services.
7. Lead the Summer Reading Program and other seasonal initiatives.
8. Maintain a welcoming, safe, and engaging youth area that supports play, discovery, and learning.
9. Stay updated on trends and maintain current knowledge of children and teen literature, media, and information needs.
10. Track attendance and engagement metrics for programs and outreach efforts. Ensure all library statistics are maintained and prepared for monthly board reports, annual state reports, and other requested data.
11. Respond to community feedback and emerging needs to guide programming and service priorities.
12. Assist patrons with reference questions, reader's advisory, and technology support.
13. Participate in the development and enforcement of youth services related policies and procedures.
14. Collaborate with other department heads to ensure a cohesive approach to library services.
15. Contribute to and take initiative on grant writing, budgeting, and promotional efforts related to youth services and community outreach.
16. Provide coverage at any service desk as needed, and when assigned.
17. Assist in hiring, training, supporting, supervising, and evaluating department staff and other support staff. Keep the Director and Assistant Director apprised of employee related matters.
18. Assist with building operations tasks such as opening/closing, safety checks, and supply orders.
19. Work cooperatively as part of the library's Leadership Team to provide feedback on library services, recommend policy changes, and develop solutions to problems to ensure efficient operations.
20. Attend or schedule someone to attend appropriate meetings and trainings.
21. Act as Person in Charge of the library in the absence of the Library Director, Assistant Director, or any other member of staff at the same grade level with higher seniority. Adjust staff schedules as necessary to help ensure staffing needs of the entire library are met.
22. Perform other related job duties as necessary, including but not limited to other duties at lower grade levels.
II. NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
1. Excellent supervisory, leadership, and staff development abilities
2. Strong understanding of youth learning, interests, and information needs
3. Ability to develop inclusive, engaging programs for children, teens, and families
4. Excellent public speaking, outreach, and community-building skills
5. Familiarity with reader's advisory, digital literacy, and reference resources
6. Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
7. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
8. Ability to work with a diverse public and promote a welcoming, inclusive environment
9. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with staff, patrons, and community partners
10. Commitment to equitable access, intellectual freedom, and inclusive programs, services, and collections
III. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
1. Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program required
2. Two or more years of experience providing youth services in a public library or similar setting preferred
3. Two or more years of supervisory or project management experience strongly preferred OR three years of related experience required, at least one in a supervisory capacity, with any equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and experience
4. Must possess strong supervisory skills
5. Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
6. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors, customers, Town officials, and the general public
7. Must have the ability to work well with people of all ages, abilities, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, with an aptness to relate successfully with youth, families, and co-workers
8. Must possess/project a welcoming demeanor, positive attitude, patience, and a professional appearance
9. Must demonstrate exemplary customer service skills
10. Be self-directed, flexible, motivated, able to prioritize tasks, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail
11. Must possess strong computer and technology skills as applicable in the library environment
12. Must successfully complete a background check
IV. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 essential functions.
1. Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interaction with the public, Town employees, and library vendors. Will need to travel to off site locations for outreach using various modes of private and public transportation and should have a valid driver's license.
2. Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting, to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to verbally communicate and exchange information.
3. Vision: See in the normal vision range with or without correction.
4. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
V. EQUIPMENT: Equipment used includes but is not limited to the following:
Computers/laptops and peripheral devices, copy machine, faxing, telephone, smart TV, Vibe Boards, scanners, e-readers, tablets, projectors, and any other items as may be traditionally found in a public library, and any non-traditional items found in a "library of Things" or library makerspace.
The Town of Middletown is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay Range: $35 - $40 per hour