Youth Services Librarian - Mountainside Public Library

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Full Time Youth Services Librarian - Mountainside Public Library

Salary: $62,000-64,022

Full-Time 35-hour week plus 1-hour unpaid meal break. One evening shift per week and approximately one Saturday every four weeks. No Saturdays in July and August.

Generous benefits including vacation, sick leave, health insurance, pension, dental/eyecare allowance.

Position to start mid-September-mid-October.

Fun and friendly small library seeks a Youth Services Librarian with big ideas. With several retirements, a strategic plan in the works, and a potential renovation project, the Mountainside Library is evolving and we are

seeking an outgoing, imaginative person who will stop at nothing short of pyrotechnics to help bring programs to life, promote collections, and respond to patrons. The Youth Services Librarian will be instrumental in establishing a cohesive and consistent approach to attracting and working with youth of all ages as well as their families and caregivers. This is an excellent ground-floor opportunity to envision the future. This position reports to the Library Director and works closely with the Senior Patron Services and Adult Outreach Librarian.

If you have the will power of a marathon runner combined with the whimsy of one who eats dessert first, we are looking for you. If you are looking for the opportunity to do something extraordinary, we are looking for you. If you are fun and energetic with a sense of adventure balanced with patience, professionalism, excellent judgement, and a strong sense of responsibility, we are looking for you. 

The ideal candidate is: 

• Passionate about cultivating relationships and developing a rapport with children, teens, and caregivers.
• Knowledgeable with regard to books, music, videos and games for children and teens.
• Up to date on public library trends, early literacy concepts, and information literacy issues.
• Comfortable taking initiative and executing ideas with the guidance and support of the Director.
• Customer-focused, creative, and forward thinking.
• Interested in being an active member of the library community.
• Confident working with the public, stakeholders, and vendors.

JOB DUTIES

Job duties may include, but are not limited to the items below.

• Manage all aspects of Youth Services from day-to-day activities, collection development, budget monitoring, and long-term planning.
• Conceive of, plan, prepare, and conduct a range of programs for youth from babies through teens.
• Assess patron needs and interests and provide reference and reader’s advisory services to patrons of all ages.
• Manage all aspects of collection development, including item selection and elimination.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local schools, government departments, organizations, businesses, and neighboring libraries.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with vendors, performers, and presenters.
• Use the library website, social media, and press to publicize Youth Services activities and materials.
• Monitor patron behavior, work on modifications, and administer library policies and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Respond to patron issues and escalate problems appropriately.
• In the absence of the Library Director and Senior Librarian, act as the point person responsible for making decisions and enforcing library policy.
• Exhibit competency with technology used for professional and recreational purposes.
• Assist at the circulation desk as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Passion for both children’s and young adult reading material, video games, music and movies.
• Ability to work both independently to complete assignments and as a team player who works enjoys collaborating and exchanging ideas.
• Flexibility regarding schedule as well as work assignments.
• Experience developing and executing fun and educational programs for youth and families.
• High comfort level using computers for professional purposes.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• MLIS with NJ Professional Librarian Certification
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience working as a professional Youth Services Librarian.
• Strong knowledge of current and past children’s and/or teen literature.
• Must be able to work 1 night per week (preferably Monday) until 8:00pm and approximately one Saturday (9:00am-5:00pm) in four. No Saturday hours in July and August.
• Comfort with basic professional computer skills.

This position supports a wide range of services for the Youth Services Department as well as the Library. Any of the following skills/experiences are a plus:

• Website maintenance
• Copy editing and proof reading
• Competence using social media
• Technical expertise such as computer skills
• Working with special needs populations
• Working with people whose first language is not English

To Apply: E-mail cover letter, resume including home address to mpldirector [at] mountainsidelibrary.org (mpldirector[at]mountainsidelibrary[dot]org) with subject line Youth Services Librarian no later than July 1. Documents must be sent as a Word or PDF attachment ONLY. No phone calls or faxes, please. The library will only contact candidates they wish to interview. The Mountainside Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.