Job Description

Posting number: 995309

Department: Library

Job classification: Youth Services Librarian

Posting type: Open

Categories: Library, Planning and Development, Organizational Development

Summary

The Youth Services Librarian coordinates the day-to-day services, programs, collections, outreach, and workflow of the Youth Services Department under the direction of the Library Services and Programming Manager. This position provides operational leadership and support to staff while delivering high-quality services to children, teens, families, caregivers, and educators.

The position requires strong customer service, communication, organization, programming, collection development, and leadership skills, along with initiative, adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to work collaboratively across the library.

Examples of duties

1. Coordinates the day-to-day workflow, service coverage, programs, projects, and operational needs of the Youth Services Department under the direction of the Library Services and Programming Manager.
2. Provides day-to-day guidance and support to Youth Services staff, coordinates work assignments, assists with training and orientation, and helps ensure departmental responsibilities are completed accurately and consistently.
3. Plans, develops, promotes, delivers, and evaluates programs, classes, activities, and special events for children, teens, families, caregivers, educators, and other audiences.
4. Provides reference, reader’s advisory, research, technology, and information assistance and helps patrons identify and access appropriate Library and community resources.
5. Maintains welcoming, engaging, accessible, and well-organized youth spaces and develops displays, reading lists, resource guides, passive programs, and other tools that encourage reading, learning, and use of Library resources.
6. Develops relationships with schools, childcare providers, homeschool organizations, community agencies, and other partners and coordinates outreach activities, school visits, tours, presentations, and community events.
7. Maintains departmental records, statistics, program and collection data, and other information needed for planning and assessment; assists the Library Services and Programming Manager with procedures, service improvements, projects, and implementation of Library goals.
8. Explains and consistently applies Library policies and procedures and responds appropriately to patron concerns, behavioral issues, emergencies, and unusual situations, referring complex or escalated matters to supervisory staff when appropriate.
9. Maintains current knowledge of youth literature, programming, collection development, technology, educational resources, professional practices, and community needs.
10. Works collaboratively across Library departments and provides support for Library-wide programs, service points, outreach efforts, special events, and projects as operational needs require.
11. Demonstrate initiative, creativity, adaptability, sound judgment, and effective organization while managing multiple responsibilities and changing priorities.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Attends staff meetings, training sessions, and other meetings as assigned.
2. Provides temporary coverage or assistance in other Library service areas when needed.
3. Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of principles and current practices related to public library services for children, teens, and families, including youth literature, programming, reader advisory, and collection development.
2. Ability to coordinate daily workflow, programs, projects, and the work activities of others without exercising formal supervisory authority.
3. Ability to develop and deliver engaging, age-appropriate programs and services for children, teens, and families.
4. Ability to provide excellent customer service, communicate clearly and professionally, establish effective working relationships, and represent the Library appropriately with patrons, staff, educators, community partners, and the public.
5. Ability to organize and prioritize work, manage multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, adapt to changing needs, and demonstrate initiative, creativity, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills.
6. Ability to select, evaluate, maintain, and promote Library materials using professional collection development practices and established Library policies.
7. Ability to learn and effectively use Library software, digital resources, internet applications, and common office and instructional technology and provide understandable instruction to patrons and staff.
8. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle patron and employee information in accordance with Library policy and applicable law.
9. Ability to remain professional and composed while addressing difficult, sensitive, or occasionally confrontational situations.
10. The employee must be able to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday; sit for portions of the workday; frequently stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, and handle Library materials; lift materials weighing up to 15 pounds; carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; push or maneuver book carts weighing up to approximately 100 pounds; climb stairs as necessary; and use computers, telephones, printers, scanners, copiers, and other standard Library and office equipment.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in library science, Information Science, or a related field is required, plus at least one (1) year of relevant experience in a similar capacity. A relevant combination of education and experience may be considered in accordance with City of Tyler employment policies.

Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License with a clear driving record.

Preferred:

1. Experience working with children, teens, families, or youth-serving programs is preferred.
2. Experience planning and delivering youth programs, activities, classes, or events is preferred.
3. Experience coordinating projects, workflow, staff activities, or departmental operations is preferred.
4. Spanish-language proficiency or other multilingual skills are desirable but not required.

Supplemental information

It is the policy of the City to recruit, employ and to provide compensation, promotion, and other conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, and other protected veteran. The City affirms that employment decisions shall be made only on the basis of a person’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job. This position does require presence in the office to perform the essential functions of the job. The City shall continually review its employment practices and personnel procedures and take positive steps to assure that equality of employment opportunity in the City of Tyler, Texas is a fact as well as an ideal.

The City of Tyler will accept two years of relevant experience in place of each year of college required in the job description. Four years of relevant experience will be considered in place of an Associate’s Degree, and eight years of relevant experience will be considered in place of a Bachelor’s Degree. Any experience required in the Minimum qualifications is in addition to years of experience substituted for a degree.

The City of Tyler supports a policy of a drug and alcohol free workplace. All candidates are subject to pre-employment testing, which may include, but is not limited to, Drug and Alcohol Screenings, Work Fitness Evaluation, Criminal Background Check, and Consumer Report/Credit Check.

No person under eighteen (18) years of age will be employed in any regular full-time position.Persons under eighteen (18) years of age may be employed in temporary or regular part-time positions, if they furnish the City with a minor’s release(Form 2-2)and are approved by the City Manager.No person under eighteen (18) years of age will be employed in any position requiring the operation of a City motorized vehicle.

This posting is subject to be removed at the discretion of the department providing the position.