Youth Services Librarian I/Library Associate, West Windsor
The Mercer County Library System is seeking to fill a full-time, 35 hour per week position in the Youth Services Department at the West Windsor branch. This is an excellent opportunity for a librarian, or student enrolled in a library program, with a strong vision to provide exciting services and programming to children and teens in this busy, thriving youth services department. This position includes at least one evening per week and Saturdays in rotation, although the library is open Sundays through the school year and four County observed holidays throughout the year and the candidate must be able/ willing to work some of those.
We are seeking an energetic librarian with a passion for children’s services and a strong commitment to providing excellent public service. The candidate will have primary responsibility for providing reference and readers’ advisory services to teens and parents in a diverse community, developing the children’s and teen collections, creating innovative programming, outreach to schools and the community, and the Summer and Winter Reading programs. This position’s primary focus will be as a teen librarian; however, we are a small department, so the successful candidate will need to work well with all ages.
Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, writing library blog articles, preparing statistical reports on departmental activities and use, maintaining the collection budget for YS/YA materials, staying current on new developments in the library field (particularly with regard to children’s and teen services), providing reference assistance to patrons of all ages, and participating in branch and system wide outreach and library social media opportunities.
The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, flexible, and forward thinking. Strong knowledge of literacy, child development, and literature for children and teens are vital in this role. The candidate will be comfortable planning programs that encourage children to read, and sharing literacy tips with parents. Knowledge of current library technologies and demonstrated experience using technology (including library automated systems, online reference resources, and Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel) are necessary.
The candidate should have flexibility for scheduling programming at days and times that children and young adults will find convenient, and expect to participate in outreach in the schools and community. Willingness to be part of a team environment and collaborate with the adult services and circulation librarians are a must, as are strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
This position requires an MLS from an ALA accredited institution, although applications from students enrolled in an MLS program who are at least half-way through the program will also be considered for a library associate title, and are encouraged to apply. A New Jersey Professional Librarian’s Certificate is required for those with an MLS degree.
This title is affiliated with AFSCME 3566. The current salary range for Librarian 1 is $42,465 to $ $68,586 in 8 steps. The salary range for Library Associate is $35,442 to $46,736. Full job descriptions can be found on the NJ Civil Service Commission website. There is a 90-day probationary period before permanency.
The County of Mercer adheres to a strict residency requirement. Residents of Mercer County will be given first priority. All applicants are subject to pre-employment tests: drug, physical, and criminal background check.
Résumés will be accepted until the vacancy is filled. Only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
Résumés may be submitted care of:
Ellen Brown, Library Director
Mercer County Library System
Lawrence HQ Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
email: director [at] mcl.org
fax: (609) 538-1206
EOE/AA/ADA Employer