Youth Services Associate

Job Title: Youth Services Associate

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Part-Time, approx. 20-24 hours/week, Monday-Saturday; including some evenings 

Beginning Salary: $16-$17

Summary: Responsible for implementing library programming and outreach for ages zero to eighteen and their families, providing library services to patrons, and helping to maintain a safe and welcoming branch environment.

Education/Experience:

Minimum: 

• 1-2 years library experience or 30 college credit hours

Preferred:

• Experience working with children and teens
• College credits with an education emphasis

Duties and Responsibilities include the following, but not limited to:

Plan and Present Youth Programs and Materials

• Plan and present youth programs for ages zero to eighteen
• Plan and present regular storytimes for ages 0-18 months or up to age 6
• Assist with the planning and implementation of annual library reading challenges, including the Summer Reading Challenge
• Record statistics of programs and evaluate for effectiveness
• Maintain knowledge of youth programming and literature trends
• Prepare book lists and promotional literature as assigned
• Pursue regular professional development training opportunities
• Make necessary purchases for programming within approved budget
• Prepare passive activities for the children and teen areas 
• Conduct youth library tours as requested
• Assist the branch manager and administration with special projects and tasks
• Travel to other branches as needed to assist with programs
• Staff the Youth Areas of the Library

• Help maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment
• Monitor youth services areas, enforcing policy as needed
• Promote programs, including assisting patrons with registering for programs
• Maintain general upkeep of the children and teen collections, including but not limited to shelving, straightening, shifting, and weeding
• Help ensure all patrons have access to facilities and services

Reference and Readers’ Advisory

• Assist patrons with the use of library online catalog, reference materials, internet and library databases
• Guide patrons through the shelving arrangement to locate materials
• Assist patrons in placing a hold on desired items, including via MOBIUS or Interlibrary loan
• Be familiar with the contents of and technology needed to access the library’s digital collection, and teach patrons to use these resources
• Assist with patron inquiries on a wide variety of topics using reference interview techniques
• Utilize readers’ advisory tools and methods to suggest library materials to patrons

Participate in Youth Outreach Services 

• Plan, promote, travel to, and provide outreach services for area schools, preschools, daycares, and community organizations
• Occasionally travel to and represent the library at community outreach events
• Promote the library to the community
• Work with the Outreach Department as needed

Staff the Service Desk as Needed

• Check-in returned materials and process items appropriately
• Evaluate the condition of items upon return, checking for components and assessing damage
• Shelve materials as needed 
• Maintain patron and materials records, including registering patrons for new library cards and adding charges for lost or damaged materials
• Process incoming and outgoing holds for patrons, including contacting patrons
• Accept cash, check, and credit card payments on overdue, damaged, lost items
• Issue receipts for monetary transactions as needed
• Collect money for printing, photocopies, and faxes

Communication with Administration and Coworkers

• Effective, timely, thorough, and respectful communication with co-workers in person, by phone, in writing, or by email
• Effective, timely, thorough, and respectful communication with Administration about scheduling, absences, co-worker performance issues, procedures, policies, etc.
• Effective, timely, thorough, and respectful communication with IT on technological issues and use of the IT ticketing system

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be expected to do the following: 

• Must be able to perform tasks on a ladder for decoration and display purposes
• Frequently move about or position self to access library materials and office equipment on the floor, in bins, and shelves up to 6 feet in height 
• Frequently move up to 50 lbs.
• Frequently move rolling carts and bins weighing up to 300 lbs 
• Frequently move about or position self to maintain the cleanliness of the children’s and teen areas
• Regularly operate a computer, printer, barcode scanner, and other office equipment 
• Occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions for programs or events 

Knowledge, skills, and other abilities needed to be successful in this position:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Proficient computer skills: familiar with using the internet, office productivity software (i.e. Google Workspace, Microsoft), and email
• Ability to work with scanners, printers, and photocopiers
• Working knowledge of reader interest levels, books, authors, and reference sources
• Working knowledge of early literacy initiatives, child development, and current education standards
• Working knowledge of automated library circulation systems and online databases
• Working knowledge of print, non-print, digital, and online information sources available from a wide variety of sources, including publishers, the internet, and library and vendor-based systems
• Ability to present ideas and provide instruction; comfortable with teaching and use of various forms of technology for ages 0-18 in small and large groups
• Ability to adapt to multiple demands and changing priorities, to learn, and be willing to embrace change

• Ability to develop or demonstrate necessary decision-making, leadership, team-building, strategic, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to set priorities, organize, and coordinate multiple projects
• Ability to successfully maintain the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities to achieve the desired outcome
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, and by listening
• Ability to interact in a positive, effective manner with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public
• Ability to perform with minimum supervision, to work collaboratively in a team environment, and to demonstrate professional standards, good judgment, dependability, and timeliness in work environments