MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION COLLECTION

Town of Mashpee, Massachusetts          

                                                  Youth Services Librarian                  Classification:

Position Purpose:

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1The purposes of this position are to manage the library’s children and young adult services. This position assists with reference services, circulation and collection development for the children and young adult library sections. The Youth Services Librarian is responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.
 

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Oversees and manages children and young adult library materials, programs and services.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the Library Director according to professional standards of American Library Association; The position is subject to review and evaluation according to the Town’s personnel policies and procedures.

Supervision Given: S/he supervises and monitors the performance of (children’s library staff and/or volunteers working in the department.)
 

Job Environment:

Administrative and other work is performed under typical office conditions and in every room of the Library where operations are conducted.  The noise level in the work environment is usually (moderate but may be noisy in open locations and programming areas..)

S/he operates standard office equipment, microcomputer and related software applications to perform communications (and public relations tasks, reports), and library processing operations.

S/he makes frequent and periodic contact with public/private schools, preschools, youth organizations, other libraries, and the general public.  Communication is frequently in person, by telephone, fax, e-mail, in writing, standard and special reports; contacts require excellent customer service skills and a high level of resourcefulness to influence positively the behavior of others. (S/he maintains and updates children’s services information on the town website.)
 

Essential Functions:

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1(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.)

·         Directs and performs children’s and young adult library services, programs, collection development and public relations, including publicity, displays, calendar of activities, press releases, and promotion of children’s library activities and services;  promotes children’s and young adult library services through outreach programs to schools, daycares and other community groups

·         Assists with the development, maintenance and review of the children’s library collection; evaluates the collection for balance and comprehensiveness;  coordinates and implements the selection, ordering and removal of library materials

·        Performs reference services in the children’s library section; assists patrons with requests for information or materials; assists patrons in the selection of materials; searches sources; provides referrals and reader advisory services; teaches patrons how to use the library computer catalogue and other technical equipment.

·         Assists with special projects and monitoring library youth services budget for the Library Director.
 

Other Functions:

·         Attends professional meetings to maintain and improve knowledge of library youth services

·         Assists with reference services in the adult section of library

·          SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Performs similar or related work as required or as the situation dictates
 

Errors and Omissions:

Errors could result in delay in services, injury to young patrons, monetary loss, poor public relations that adversely affect the Town’s image.
 

Physical and Mental Effort:

The work is primarily of an intellectual nature but requires some physical capabilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, and talk or hear; (frequently) required to stand and walk; requires use hands to finger or handle objects; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. This position requires the ability to operate a keyboard and calculator.  The employee must be able to hear normal sounds, distinguish sound as voice patterns and communicate through human speech using American English.
 

Minimum Required Qualifications:

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Education Training and Experience:

Applicants for this position must have a bachelor’s degree in child development or education with related course work in children’s literature; master’s degree in library science (MLS) is preferred; two years of experience working general functions in a public library; with one year experience with youth services; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Special Requirements: None.
 

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge:  Incumbents must have thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of library service functions in a public library setting; working knowledge of children’s literature and children’s programming; working knowledge of computer networks, software and hardware, and databases used in public library operations.

Ability: Incumbents must have ability to utilize data processing applications as they apply to library functions; ability to deal effectively with Town staff, youth and the public; ability to train staff and public in the use of library computers; ability to develop innovative and interesting youth programs in a library setting; ability to handle multiple projects and details.

Skill: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with youth; aptitude for working with computers, paperwork and details; skill in using the above mentioned office equipment.

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee.  It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs and requirements of the job change.)