Description

If interested in this position, please submit your resume to employment@mfplibrary.org and fill out the MFPL Youth Services Employment Application

Job Summary

As leader of the Youth Services Team, this position reports to the Programming Manager and Library Director. The librarian provides library services to children and young adults, including, but not limited to: 

• reference and reader’s advisory (10%),
• literacy initiatives and large-scale programming (50%),
• managing the children’s collection including purchasing, inventory, and weeding (20%),
• scheduling and managing annual youth services programming schedule and calendar (10%),
• grant writing and budgeting (5%),
• and other duties as assigned to support the Programming Department and Library operations (5%).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assist patrons and families

• Provide Reader’s Advisory, both in person and in fulfillment of “Recommended Reads” requests
• Recommend materials and resources for research, school projects, and homeschooling
• Manage lost/damaged materials and blocked accounts for children and families

Manage literacy-focused youth programming – either by planning and conducting programs themselves, or by contracting program/workshop leaders – including but not limited to:

• Storytime (family, toddler, preschool, infant)
• Book Clubs (Bluebonnet Bunch, Read-Aloud Book Club)
• Reading + Outdoors programming (Hatching in the Classroom)
• Early Literacy initiatives (Stay and Play, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, Family Place Workshop)

Lead the Youth Services Department Staff to plan and execute execute seasonal library programming and annual Summer Library Program including but not limited to:

• Library Trick or Treat
• Polar Express Festival
• Literary Festival
• Summer Library Program aligned with the CSLP theme
  • Creating weekly schedule of programs for duration of SRP
  • Booking performers and program contractors
  • Planning in-house programs such as parties, crafts, book clubs, storytimes
  • Manage incentive system for reading, including ordering prizes and/or contacting local organizations for donations, and training staff and volunteers on prize distribution/pick-up
  • Manage SRP Kick-off, sign-up, and t-shirt distribution

Manage MFPL’s Family Place certification

• Ensure appropriate staff are trained and trainings are up-to-date
• Organize Family Place workshop (twice a year) and maintain play area materials
• File certification paperwork/report annually

Manage print collection for patrons aged 0 - 12, and a Parenting and Education Resources collection

• Purchase books and materials (Board Books, Picture Books, Early Readers, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Children’s Spanish, and Parenting)
• Assess damaged materials for repair or replacement
• Inventory and weed collection annually (one section per month)
• Assess donated materials for the collection, prizes, or Friends “Book Nook”
• Maintain play area materials and passive programming manipulatives according to Family Place Libraries(™) guidelines
• Work with librarians on the collection team to implement guidelines and policies

Order Storywalk books and manage schedule in collaboration with Facilities Staff

Meet regularly with Youth Services staff to coordinate program schedule and offerings

Seek external funding support for library programs

• Coordinate with other library departments to apply for Texas State Libraries and Archives Commission grants
• Apply for Texas Library Association and Texas Book Festival collection grants
  Apply for HEB Community Investment support
• Identify new community partners for financial support of library initiatives

Staff the Youth Services Information Desk on a regular schedule

Maintain tidiness and organization of collections/shelving and areas, including displays, signage, seating areas, etc. as well as in youth services storage, office, filing and working areas

Attend conferences and workshops and keeps abreast of current trends and emerging technologies, issues and research in librarianship; participates in professional organizations and meets with other local library program coordinators to share ideas and strengthen skills

Create, contribute to, and proofread the Youth Services Team’s monthly report for the Library Director and Board of Trustees

Fill in for other members of the Youth Services Team, Programming Team, and Library Staff as needed

Requirements

Education and Experience

Required:

• Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited program
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with children and teens
• Minimum 2 years of experience in public libraries
• Minimum 2 years of experience in program delivery
• Minimum 1 year of supervisory and/or management experience 

Preferred:

• Experience with Collection Development
• Familiar with G-Suite products for professional communication
• Familiar with Apollo/Biblionix ILS
• Familiar with LibraryCalendar

Skills and Abilities

People-Oriented: the ideal candidate has excellent customer service skills, enjoys working with others and serving the public

Team Player: the ideal candidate is flexible, creative, and collaborative – willing to offer and receive help in response to change

Lifelong Learner: the ideal candidate has a broad scope of knowledge and remains curious about new ideas, initiatives and information

Organized Leader: the ideal candidate guides the youth services staff and has a keen attention to detail