CLASS TITLE: Youth Services Librarian 3125

DEFINITION: Under the general direction of the Youth Services Specialist, assists with all aspects of developing, implementing, and evaluating library services for children and families including customer service, collection development, and provision of programs. Assists with ensuring efficient and responsive day-to-day operations of the work group.

Examples of Essential Job Functions: Assists in planning, presenting, and evaluating youth programs. Provides reference and readers’ advisory services to the public in person, by telephone, fax, correspondence, and via the Internet using a wide array of resources. Produces youth staff schedule, newspaper articles, bibliographies; promotes collections and services; staffs public desks.

Develops the library’s electronic services for children and teens including databases, blogs, wikis, and other current and emerging technologies. In collaboration with other staff members, identifies, evaluates, selects and maintains areas of the youth collection as assigned. Plays a key role in disseminating early literacy information through programming and community outreach.

Participates in library-wide problem-solving and service needs assessment; assists in the development and review of policies and strategic plans. Keeps abreast of current trends and emerging technologies, issues, and research in librarianship, early literacy, child development, children’s literature education, and allied fields. Participates in professional organizations and continuing education activities. Performs other duties as assigned.

Employees must continually strive to bring shared values to life, through our Excellence through People organizational culture. Values include continuous improvement, respect for others, customer driven, leadership, data-driven decisions, positive attitude, teaming environment, innovation, honesty and integrity, creativity, and employee involvement. ETP assures that exceptional services are delivered to the public at the best price and employees experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

EQUIPMENT:

Equipment Used to Perform Essential Functions: Computer and software, including Microsoft Office Suite; Horizon; Web 2.0; integrated library system (ILS); Internet. Additional hardware such as MP3 players; iPods; PDAs. General office equipment such as copiers; fax unit; calculators; file shredders; writing instruments. Communications equipment including office telephone system; cell or wireless telephones. Presentation equipment such as projectors, microphones, DVD and CD players, etc. Books, magazines, photographs, puppets, storyboards, and other materials included in the library's collection. Reading materials such as correspondence, books, manuals, periodicals, and websites.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Required Physical Activities: Requirements vary but may include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, hearing, talking, and walking.

Youth Services Librarian: (page 2)

Physical Characteristics of Work: Requires sitting approximately 50% of the time, standing approximately 30% of the time, walking approximately 20% of the time. Requires frequent lifting of objects weighting under 25 pounds, and occasional lifting of objects from 25 pounds to over 50 pounds.

Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with preparing analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection involving small defects or parts, use of measurement devices or assembly of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Environmental Conditions: Worker is subject to inside environmental conditions and noise.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Education and Experience: Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited institution. Experience working with children in a library setting is preferred.

Licenses and Certificates: Eligible for Professional Librarian certification by the State of Iowa.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Extensive knowledge of the philosophy and principles of public library services, intellectual freedom, library materials and collections, policies and procedures. Significant knowledge of children’s literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, websites and other resources relevant to service to youth including adult reference materials and other library resources which may serve the needs of youth and their caregivers. Knowledge of early literacy skills. Knowledge of integrated library systems, Microsoft Office Suite, HTML and web-editing software.

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of library collections, services, and programs. Ability to initiate and implement new services and programs. Ability to be proactive in problem solving and trouble-shooting. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and deadlines. Ability to develop effective working relationships within library, City of Ames, community, and profession. Demonstrated commitment to customer service, continuous improvement and professional development.

Skill in youth program planning, preparation and presentation. Skill in youth collection development. Skill in disseminating early literacy information. Skill in oral and written communication in dealing with co-workers, volunteers, and customers. Skill in developing search strategies and in using Internet search engines and other reference tools.

Supervisor: Youth Services Specialist

Category: Exempt