Youth Services Librarian

Come work at the friendliest library in Illinois! At the Fremont Library, we pride ourselves on community-oriented library work that supports a welcoming environment for patrons and for staff. We offer benefits like paid parental leave, generous time off, and flexible scheduling to support our staff. We support our patrons with state-of-the-art workspaces, popular and dynamic collections, and outstanding customer service.  

In the Youth Services department, our stellar staff of 14 people work together to cover 2 service desks, serve patrons of all ages, and represent the library at community and school outreach events. We host about 40 programs in the library per month with more than 1,100 people in attendance. The YS team is known for Ms-Frizzle-style wardrobes, caring customer service, leadership in our library, and always having a yummy snack on hand in the office!   

This position will have a variety of exciting responsibilities, including but not limited to:  

• Visiting K-8 schools in our district to promote library services in classrooms and assemblies  
• Working at the Kids Help Desk or Teen Help Desk to answer reference questions  
• Presenting programs at the library – topics are wide open, bring your great ideas!   
• Maintaining collections of print and digital library materials  

A successful candidate will be a vivid and confident public speaker, have a friendly and upbeat attitude, and understand the role of a public library in the community. Spanish language skills are desired. 

Work schedule includes about one night shift per week and about one weekend per month.  

Performs professional librarian activities, including, but not limited to: reference, reader’s advisory, programming, collection development, promotion and maintenance, and training in the use of library resources.  

Detailed Duties:

• Under general supervision, selects, orders, weeds, processes, promotes and maintains library materials in delegated areas of responsibility within the adult, teen or children’s collections, both print and non-print, based on established selection policies and assigned budget responsibilities.
• Maintains online book lists, creates displays, organizes manipulatives or in-library craft areas to help provide an inviting department and promote the collections.
• Plans and leads programs, classes, discussions, take-home kits or other passive programs in a team or solo, depending on assigned areas of service.
• Assists with library-wide customer service efforts and completing assigned initiatives and goals of the library’s strategic direction.
• Attends regular continuing education seminars relating to public library tasks and objectives.

Staffs service desk: 

• answer the main phone line, chat and email
• provide reference and reader’s advisory
• monitor study rooms, meeting rooms, craft or play areas
• helps patrons use the computers and other equipment such as printers, copiers and the online catalog
• retrieves materials from shelves for patrons
• Notary Public duties if assigned

Organizational Relationships:

• Reports to the department manager.
• Works in cooperation with other librarians and department members.
• May direct staff from any other department in an emergency situation when assigned as the Key.

 Qualifications:

• Demonstrate a passion for public service – helping people connect with library materials, programs, and the community by providing kind and patient assistance, whether it is provided over chat, Zoom, phone or in person. 
• Be a reader: possess a knowledge of popular fiction and non-fiction materials as well as music and movie interests of your department’s age group.
• Smile and be friendly: we pride ourselves on our good reputation in the community and strive to be welcoming to all people at our library.
• Able to perform in front of a group, engaging the appropriate age group whether it be teaching a class, facilitating a book discussion or leading a storytime.
• Work well with others – engage in teamwork to help achieve common goals and tasks.
• Hold a Master’s degree in Library/Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or be close to finishing your degree. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Library/Information Science will also be considered.
• Have excellent computer applications and Internet skills. Must also be able to assist patrons with adding and navigating all library apps onto their portable devices.
• Valid driver’s license for outreach or attending in-person meetings outside the library.

Physical Requirements:

• Manual: enough to operate computer keyboard and mouse.
• Mobile: enough to navigate library spaces to escort patrons into the stacks and/or to retrieve materials from another area of the library in a timely manner. This may include reaching above the shoulder and using a step stool for assistance in reaching high shelves as well as kneeling or squatting to reach materials at a low level.
• Visual: able to detect color coding, read documents and a computer screen.
• Communication: Fluent in English, both written and oral. Able to speak and be heard and hear the speech of co-workers and patrons in person and over the phone. Able to be heard by a larger group of people without the aid of a microphone.