Teen Librarian - Plain Community Library

Posted 10/23/2024

Stark Library is seeking an outgoing, customer service-oriented professional to fill an opportunity as a Teen Librarian at our Plain Community Library located on the Glen Oak High School campus in Canton and will work closely with GlenOak High School. An employee serving in this position should be passionate about working with teens, ability to lead the Teen Advisory Board, executes Teen programs, monitors the Teen collection and provides readers advisory.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing exemplary library service to students, educators, and other community members through the work of outreach with partner organizations and maintenance of the branch’s teen collection; outreach with GlenOak High School students and teachers, including research instruction. The successful candidate will also be responsible for providing circulation duties as well as readers’ advisory and business services.

If you enjoy working with the public and teens, want to work for a mission-driven organization, and believe you may be a good fit for this position (detailed job description, below), please submit your resume and complete an application.

This position offers a community-minded and inclusive work environment, as well as generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and paid holidays. In addition, the Library offers a benefits package including medical, dental, vision, employer-paid life, participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, and additional voluntary benefits.

Position Summary

An employee serving in this position advances the mission of the Library by serving as a professional librarian, providing direct public service, programming, outreach, and collection management services and expertise.  This role is primarily responsible for providing leadership in a designated area/age group per the needs of the department or location.  The Librarian is also responsible for establishing and maintaining key external relationships (e.g., authors, publishers, organizations, etc.) on behalf of his/her location or department and representing the Library in various outreach capacities.  The Librarian, in conjunction with the Department or Branch Manager, helps set location goals for their own work as well as that of the rest of the staff and helps lead system-wide projects.   

Duties and Responsibilities 

Customer Assistance 

1. Demonstrates and assists patrons with all library service and collection platforms, and is an advanced user of platforms.
2. Provides instruction on platforms in area of specialization. 
3. Performs advanced searches through both public and ILS interfaces.  Contributes to improving access for other staff in area of specialization.
4. Demonstrates and assists patrons with print and online reference tools, including Reader’s Advisory resources.
5. Assists patrons in accessing and using document machines, library computers and library-supported software, and troubleshoots intermediate technical problems.  Provides advanced assistance in area of specialization.
6. Provides advanced reference assistance, and helps develop access tools in area of specialization.

Individual Services  

1. Performs transactional services (e.g., notary, passport)
2. Facilitates special support and services that include open-ended interactions requiring analysis, additional data gathering, independent judgment/decision-making and may have multiple “right” answers or possible outcomes (e.g., Book an Expert)

Circulation 

1. Performs all direct patron circulation functions.
2. May have responsibility for regularly implementing record maintenance tasks.
3. May have in-depth understanding of ILS Circulation Module, and may troubleshoot ILS issues.
4. May troubleshoot and resolve complex patron account issues, in consultation with Manager.

Collection 

1. May assist in shelving as needed. 

1. Plans merchandising and organization of designated collections area(s).
2. Manages assigned collection areas and works in coordination with Manager and other staff in all aspects of collection merchandising and maintenance.
3. Creates Educator Units as needed and may provide direction to other staff who assist with creating Educator Units.

Group Services: Internal and External 

1. Leads or assists other staff with internal and external group program set up.
2. Plans and/or presents internal and external programs.  
3. Participates in and may lead promotional activities outside the library.
4. Develops content and materials for both active and passive delivery to groups.  May sometimes involve other staff, as needed.
5. Plans and provides guidance to other staff on the general direction of services/programs for given focus area(s).

Partnerships 

1. Establishes partnerships, develops content for, and implements joint services with outside agencies on behalf of his/her department, location, and the system.

General 

1. Mentors and trains other staff, including Specialists and Librarians in other locations.
2. Leads, system-wide planning, development and training initiatives.
3. Provides functional guidance to other staff regarding services, programs, and collections within area(s) of expertise.
4. Serves on library committees as needed.
5. Performs other duties as .

Core Competencies 

• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Interpersonal Skills
• Situational Adaptability

Technical / Functional Skills 

• Ability to plan, develop, implement and promote library-related programs.
• Ability to provide specialized, open-ended customer service support in one or more areas without assistance from other staff.
• Ability to create Educator Units.
• Advanced familiarity with library services and operations.
• Ability to perform intermediate to advanced functions using the library circulation system, service platforms, and following current procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of collection platforms.
• Ability to learn and obtain certification in passport processing.
• Demonstrates intermediate to advanced level literacy with respect to standard computer and office software.
• Ability to sort and file alphabetically and numerically.
• Ability to make simple arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to assist with the training of other staff.

Education and Experience  

• Education: MLIS degree required.  Within the Genealogy Department a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is  and an MLIS is preferred.
• Years of relevant experience: 3 or more years of related experience is preferred.  Within the Genealogy Department, 5 years or more of related experience is preferred in the absence of an MLIS.
• Certifications or licensure: Ohio drivers’ license and ability to maintain a driving record that is satisfactory to the Library’s liability insurance carrier is .
• In-depth knowledge of collection materials and professional resources related to focus age group is .
• Experience working with focus age group is . 
• Experience presenting and implementing programs to groups is .
• Experience developing programs for individuals and groups is preferred.
• Experience coordinating with external partners is preferred.
• Experience with the principles and practices of customer service is .
• Experience with library circulation systems and procedures is .
• Experience in public library or public-sector organizations is .

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements 

• The library environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices, which includes the need for general safe workplace practices with office equipment and computers, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations.  When this position is within the Mobiles Services department work performed on vehicles (e.g., bookmobiles) is done in close quarters that, at times, may be in motion as teams travel from stop to stop.  Additionally, this work is done year-round in vehicles furnished with heat and air conditioning.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• This position is performed mainly in the public and office areas of the Library although some off-site meetings in various other locations may occur (e.g., school visits, etc.).  When this position is within the Mobile Services department it is performed mainly in the mobile services vehicles as well as public and office areas of the Library although some off-site meetings in various other locations may occur.
• Work is generally completed during Library days and hours of operations which may vary by location and time of year.  There may be the occasional need to attend meetings or events and/or respond to critical situations outside of this schedule, including before or after normal Library days and hours of operation.
• Work requires the ability to lift light objects [less than 20 pounds] and carry them short distances [20 feet or less] and, within Mobile Services particularly, load/unload materials and equipment in all weather conditions.
• Work requires the ability to push a fully loaded book cart (typically weighing at least 20lbs or more) for distances of at least 20 feet.
• This position may require an employee to remain in a standing or seated position for extended periods of time while performing a variety of tasks.
• Employees must be able to perform repetitive hand, arm, and body movements, including typing and/or lifting books, on a continuous basis.
• Work requires reaching overhead and bending/kneeling to shelve books weighing up to three pounds.
• Travel by personal automobile or, in the case of Mobile Services positions a Library-owned automobile or truck, and a valid State of Ohio driver’s license along with the ability to maintain a driving record that is satisfactory to the Library’s liability insurance carrier may be , depending on the position’s specific duties.  Some travel by personal vehicle and/or occasional overnight travel may also be . 

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by an individual working in this job.   Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.