About Our Job

About Our Job

The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the residents of the City & County of Denver. DPL sees more than 4 million visitors every year across its 27 locations, serves Denver’s most vulnerable communities through outreach and mobile services, hosts thousands of programs a year and manages a collection of more than 1.4 million physical and digital materials. We believe a strong library is vital for a strong community. DPL is committed to serving the evolving needs of Denverites through inspired programming, diverse collections, culturally-representative spaces, and equitable policies & procedures.

For more information, go to denverlibrary.org. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

DPL is hiring a Librarian for the Bob Ragland Branch. In this position, you will serve the community through programming, reference, technology assistance, readers’ advisory, and front line customer service. You will foster curiosity through the exploration of recreational and educational resources for all audiences in multiple formats. You can expect to challenge inequity by creating welcoming spaces that foster belonging for all, and by providing technology resources and assistance. Additionally, as a DPL employee you will strengthen connections among staff and community by gathering together to discover creative ways to serve the community. You’ll be expected to honor the public trust by providing the highest level of service and equitable access to reliable information resources on a variety of topics, including the full scope of library services. This position does not have any direct reports though it may occasionally entail being the person in charge or guiding other staff in the absence of management. 

This is an opportunity to join our team and be the cornerstone on which accurate delivery of materials enables all customers to find what they are looking for or get a referral to the staff that can best help them with their needs. 

As a Librarian  your job will be you will serve the community through programming, reference, technology assistance, readers’ advisory, and front line customer service. You will foster curiosity through the exploration of recreational and educational resources for all audiences in multiple formats.  Your primary location will be Bob Ragland, however, DPL reserves the right to reassign locations based upon operational and/or staffing needs at any given time.

About Our Branch

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the 27th location of the Denver Public Library through the development and implementation of a co-located, creative-focused branch model with our values of Connection, Curiosity, Equity, Stewardship, and Welcoming in action. Bob Ragland, is in the Five Points Neighborhood part of the RiNo Arts District and along the Platte River Trail. The park buildings and our partner non-profits, RedLine satellite studio space, Alto Gallery and Focus Points, will serve as an equitable and public community hub that celebrates art, innovation, education, small business, and community empowerment for the surrounding neighborhoods. This location will welcome all community members and customers to use the collection, community spaces,  and technology. The Denver Zine Library is housed on the second level. There are two community rooms for small and large groups. As well as one walk in study room. Collaborating daily with our ArtPark partners and other community organizations through proximity and strong outreach.  Your primary location will be Bob Ragland Branch, however, DPL reserves the right to reassign locations based upon operational and/or staffing needs at any given time.

Cover letter is required for this position. Spanish speaking preferred. 
 

• We are looking for candidates with a strong background in community outreach and relationship building with people from multiple backgrounds.

• The ideal candidate has experience working in multiple public facing environments for example retail, food service, and varied library environments in a variety of neighborhoods. 

• The successful candidate will actively communicate with colleagues at the branch level, other departments and with their direct supervisor.

• Having experience in a downtown city environment and/or willing to learn about how services are delivered in these environments are a plus. 

• Interested candidates must demonstrate a commitment to developing and maintaining a welcoming environment for older adults (people age 50+) that embraces a positive aging approach. This includes being welcoming to people with physical and cognitive challenges, caregivers, and companions.

• We are looking for someone who will develop and facilitate fun and enriching programs and services to meet the social, emotional, and developmental needs of people as they age. These programs and services will be based on the latest research about the neuroplasticity of the brain and the developmental stages of adulthood and aging.

• Developing, planning, promoting and implementing culturally inclusive and responsive programming for [youth, teens, adults, older adults] 

• You will need knowledge of collection maintenance practices and a willingness to regularly audit and update branch or department’s collection for all audiences as well as create captivating displays. 

• We’re looking for someone to plan fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate early learning programming for children from birth to kindergarten and their adult caregivers. Programming will implement Every Child Ready to Read practices and books and materials that represent a diverse range of characters, identities and experiences.

• The ideal candidate will be able to meet customers where they are with a compassionate and trauma informed lens in particular teens, people experiencing homelessness, older adults, other.

• Provide a high level of customer service while assisting in circulation tasks in a busy environment with consistent public exposure.   

• You will also need to be able to approach challenging situations with empathy, compassion and informed judgment while keeping in mind library use policies and safety of all customers and staff. 

• We ask that you be willing to take the library outside of its walls by performing outreach activities in the community. 

• You can expect to work the hours the branch is open including evenings, and weekends. During summer months there are multiple outreach events during evening and weekend hours.

 

About you

Minimum Requirements:

• Education Requirement - Masters in Library Science degree from an accredited program.

Our ideal candidate has:

• Knowledge of the core values of librarianship, including: intellectual freedom, privacy, democracy, diversity, sustainability, serving the public good, access to information for all, and library advocacy.

• Lived experience within the Five Points, Elyria- Swansea, Cole, and Whittier community and/or the community-building skills to build strong ties with the customers and organizations within it. 

• Skill in providing information to a vastly diverse audience, leading with cultural humility.

• Ability to create and implement innovative services that sparks curiosity.

• Experience with reference services, programming, trauma informed practices, and customer service.

• A demonstrated commitment to developing and maintaining a welcoming environment for young people, including babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grade schoolers, and teens.

We expect this position to remain open until filled. Please submit your resume and cover letter at your earliest convenience in order to be considered for this role.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

LQ1280 Librarian

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Library Hiring Range

$55,000.00 - $72,875.00

Starting Pay

55,000.00-72,875.00

Agency

Denver Public Library

Assessment Requirement

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.