Youth Programming Specialist

Job Title: Youth Programming Specialist 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Admin Level: Associate Administrator 

Deadline for Applications: February 3, 2025

Schedule and Hours: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday and scheduled Saturdays 

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. 

Educational and Experience Requirements: 

Minimum:  

• 3 years library experience or 60 college credit hours 

Preferred: 

• Bachelors Degree
• College credits with an education emphasis
• Experience in public library youth services

Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

Plan and Present Youth Programs and Materials 

• Frequently plan and present youth programs for ages zero to eighteen, including weekly early literacy based storytimes for ages 0-6 
• 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 
• Attend regular professional development training opportunities 
• Oversee an annual supply budget and make necessary purchases for  programming 
• Create timely and innovative displays and decorations for the children and teen areas 
• Prepare passive activities for the children and teen areas 
• Conduct youth library tours as requested 
• Assist the Director of Youth Services 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 while at the desk, 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 
• Oversee the Racing to Read play area of the children’s department, including maintaining the organization and cleanliness of early literacy manipulatives and activities 
• 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 on their own devices 
• 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 
• 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 
• 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 
• Reconcile money collected with the electronic record of payments 
• Complete deposits of all money collected at the service desk according to the guidelines set by the Business Office 

Person in Charge Responsibilities 

• Act as Person in Charge (PIC) of the branch 
• Follow and interpret library policies and procedures to make decisions and take action to ensure the safety and satisfaction of patrons and staff 
• Document issues via the security log and/or incident report 
• Communicate with necessary individuals about incidents that occur during PIC shift 
• Travel to other branches as needed to assist with PIC duties 

Communication with Administration and Coworkers 

• Effective, timely, thorough, and respectful communication with co-workers in person, by phone, in writing, by email, or email chat system. 
• 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 district departments such as IT, Facilities, Communications, Outreach etc. 

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:

• 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 rolling carts and bins weighing up to 300 lbs 
• Regularly operate a computer, printer, barcode scanner, and other office equipment 
• Able to communicate information and ideas accurately so others can understand 
• Frequently move up to 30 lbs 
• Occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions for programs or events 
• Frequently move about or position self to maintain the cleanliness of the children’s and teen areas 

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