Young Adult Librarian

Bethel Public Library

Responsibilities

General
The Young Adult Librarian's primary responsibility is for young adult materials and services. S/he will also perform those duties for all library patrons as described in the Adult Services Librarian job description.

Specific

• Recommends goals and objectives for the young adult collection and supporting services.
• Develops, maintains, and weeds young adult collections, including books, videos, audiocassettes, CDs and other special materials.
• Directs technical staff in all processing and data entry of young adult materials for the collection.
• Coordinates purchasing AV material with Adult and Children's departments.
• Working with the Adult and Children librarians, directs technical staff in all processing and data entry of AV material for the collection.
• Creates an environment that attracts and invites young adults to use the collection.
• Develops special tools that provide access to information not readily available.
• Devises bookmarks and displays for young adult area.
• Works as a liaison with the schools to encourage young adults to use the library.
• Utilizes a variety of techniques (booktalking, discussion groups) to encourage use.
• Provides a variety of information services to meet the diverse needs of young adults.
• Instructs young adults in the basic information gathering and research skills needed for current and future use.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates specific programs and activities (both in the library and in the community) for young adults, based on their needs and interests.
• Involves young adults in planning and implementing services for their age group.
• Performs public service duties as scheduled, assisting patrons with automated databases and other equipment as needed.
• Attends staff meetings.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Supervision Received
Works under the direct supervision of the Adult Services Librarian and the general supervision of the Director.

Supervision Exercised
Supervises volunteers assigned to the Young Adult area.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and training

• An MLS, or 75% of course work completed, from a library school accredited by ALA and a working knowledge of major bibliographic tools and reference materials are required.
• Familiarity with on-line circulation systems and on-line searching are required.
• Public library experience is desirable.

Knowledge, skills and personal qualifications

• Has thorough knowledge of public library programs and services.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal relations with young adults and other professionals who work with young adults.
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing.
• Demonstrates a knowledge and appreciation of literature for young adults.
• Demonstrates a knowledge and appreciation of AV material (music, films, etc.)
• Has knowledge of current reading, viewing, and listening interests of young adults.
• Is willing to learn Bethel Library techniques, including any relevant automated procedures, and then to work independently.

Young Adult Librarian

Town Of Northborough

Definition
Professional and administrative work in planning and managing the activities of the library for the library's young adult services; all other related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Works under the general direction of the library director.
• Performs professional library duties of a responsible nature involving considerable judgment in providing direct services to young adults and in making administrative decisions for the library.
• Supervises the equivalent of five or fewer full-time employees.
• Makes frequent contacts with the public, schools, other libraries, social service agencies, civic organizations, and the youth services department.
• Errors could result in lower standards of library service and waste of public funds.
• Has access to a limited amount of confidential information.
• Light and occasional moderate physical effort required in performing duties under typical library conditions.

Examples of Work

• Plans, organizes, and conducts a wide variety of programs and activities to encourage reading and the continued use of library facilities by middle school and high school students (young adults).
• Selects and purchases materials for use by young adults.
• Evaluates collection as needed, discarding out-dated materials and replacing them with more current books.
• Reads professional journals and reviews to keep abreast of new books, ideas and trends.
• Advises young adults on appropriate and enjoyable books to read, assists in the use of all library materials for school work, recreation, and other needs.
• Performs general reference work.
• Supervises use of young adult room by students.
• Directs pages in work to be accomplished for young adult room, with the approval of the library director.
• Contacts schools and other organizations that serve the young adult population, and works jointly with them on services and programs when feasible.
• Publicizes the young adult services of the library through newspapers, posters, etc.
• Provides reference assistance for other age groups as directed by the library director or when need dictates.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in library science.
• Three years of professional experience, including supervisory and administrative experience.
• Experience with young adults (grades 6 through 12) is helpful.
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of library administration and young adult literature.
• Thorough knowledge of young adult books, related materials, and appropriate techniques and specialized skills in working with young adults.
• Administrative ability.
• Ability to carry out town and library policy.
• Ability to relate to public.
• Flexibility, initiative, creativity, energy, patience and tact.
• Ability to express oneself orally and in writing.
• Working knowledge of or ability to learn computerized library systems.
• Good reference skills.

Reference/Young Adult Librarian

Parlin Memorial Library

Duties

• Provides reference service to patrons in person and by telephone.
• Provides bibliographic instruction in the use of the online catalog, and other bibliographic resources in print or automated formats.
• Selects young adult materials, books, recordings, cassettes.
• Supervises young adult areas.
• Works with schools, conducts classes in use of the library, gives book talks, assembles deposit collections, plans and presents sixth-grade orientation.
• Prepares book lists, displays, bulletin boards, etc. with special emphasis on young adults.
• Plans programs for young adults.
• Assists young adults in the use of the library, specifically explains library resources.
• Assists Reference Librarian in maintaining file of homework assignments and keeps staff members informed about current reference assignments.
• Assists Reference Librarian in handling interlibrary loan, including locating books not owned by the library and placing interlibrary loan requests with other libraries.
• Registers local organizations for film borrowing cards.
• Orders deposit collections of foreign language books.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in library science and sources of reference material with special emphasis on material for young adults.
• Relieves on circulation desk as required; performs other related duties as necessary.

Basic Knowledge
A bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university and a master's degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited library school.

Experience
One to three years of related experience.

Independent Action
Incumbent functions independently within broad scope of established departmental policies and goals; generally refers specific problems to supervisor only where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.

Supervisory Responsibility
May assist Reference Librarian in supervising pages.

Revised 4/13/95

Youth Services Librarian

Stratford Library

General Description
Professional duties in Young Adult and Children's Departments

Supervision Received
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director for Youth Services, Children's Department Head Librarian or other designated supervision.

Example Of Duties, Including  But Not Limited To

• Performs responsible and varied library duties in Children's and Young Adult Departments.
• Assists children, young adults, and parents in finding reading material and information, and in using library services and facilities.
• Coordinates and conducts special activities.
• Participates in planning and implementing children's and young adult programs.
• Participates in selection of materials.
• Provides individual and group instruction in the use of library services and facilities, including use of automated systems, reference sources and other resources for research and study projects.
• Assists in, and organizes book displays for children and young adults.
• Performs related tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong public service attitude and ability to relate to and communicate with children and young adults.
• Thorough knowledge of children's and young adult literature, library reference methods and procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate files and records; ability to use automated systems.
• Initiative, creativity, flexibility, resourcefulness and good judgment as well as writing and communication skills.

Education/Experience

• Masters of Library Science from an ALA accredited institution.
• Experience in a children's or young adult library unit or school library desirable.
• Automated systems experience desirable.

Teen Services Librarian

Wilton Library

Summary of Responsibilities:
Maintains the collection, displays, programming and strategic planning for Teen Services.

Education and Training Required:
Holds a Master of Library Science degree from an accredited university or college. Has previous library experience in children's or teens' services. Exhibits familiarity with appropriate information technology, customer service skills and program planning/execution ability. Reads professional journals to remain abreast of developments in the profession.

Reports to:
Head of Children's Services and Library Director

Responsible to:
Library Director

Duties/Responsibilities:
Supervises all aspects of the Teen Services Department.

Develops the Teen Services collection using resources and policies /procedures presented in the Wilton Library Collection Development Manual, and based on journal reviews, evaluation of the current collection, and patron requests.

Orders teen materials using the Dynix Acquisitions Module.

Catalogs teen materials using the Dynix Cataloguing Module.

Checks in materials after processing is complete.

Creates displays of teen materials to boost circulation.

Performs readers advisory for teens and creates bibliographies to highlight sections of the collection and increase usage.

Assesses programming needs of teens and presents age and interest specific programs to satisfy those needs, working with the Publicist to promote attendance.

Acts as a liaison with the schools, communicating and collaborating with school library media specialists from Middlebrook and Wilton High School on a regular basis.

Contributes information relevant to teens to be included on the Library's Web site, and to be displayed in the Teen Services area (pamphlets, flyers, etc.)

Attends monthly staff meetings and monthly training sessions (the latter, as appropriate).

Performs other duties as necessary to insure the provision of excellent Library programs, collections, and services for teens.

Works:
Part-time position. Up to 25 hours per week.

revised 8/02

Young Adult Librarian

Town Of Anywhere

Definition
Professional, administrative and supervisory work in planning and managing the activities of young adult services in the library and all other related work as required.

Supervision

• Works under the general direction of the Library Director or Coordinator of Youth or Adult Services.
• Performs responsible functions requiring considerable judgment and initiative in planning and overseeing services to young adults both within the library and the community.
• Supervises two part-time employees and an active volunteer program.

Job Environment

• Performs work under typical library conditions; library hours may require evening and weekend work.
• Makes frequent contacts with the public, schools, other libraries, social service agencies, civic organizations and other professional organizations.
• Operates computer, CD-ROM, and other standard office equipment.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes, implements, supervises and evaluates services to young adults.
• Participates as part of the management team in developing goals, policies and procedures as relating to young adults.
• Advocates for young adults and young adult services with other community agencies.
• Initiates, plans and conducts a variety of programs and activities to encourage the use of the library by young adults between the ages of 12 to 18.
• Involves young adults in planning and implementing services for their age group.
• Selects, evaluates, maintains and discards young adult materials based on professional judgment, preferences of young adults and acknowledged review sources.
• Provides reference and readers' advisory services, and library orientation to young adults.
• Collaborates with schools and other agencies to serve young adults.
• Promotes, publicizes and represents young adult services and the library to the community and local agencies in cooperation with other library departments.
• Works with library administration to seek supplementary funding to enhance library services, including state and federal grants.
• Trains, supervises and evaluates staff and volunteers.
• Identifies, collects and interprets statistics as needed.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience
Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited school; two years of professional experience, including supervisory and administrative experience, experience with young adults (ages 12 to 18) is preferred, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Ability and Skills

• Broad and current knowledge of young adult literature, audio and visual materials, and electronic resources.
• A broad knowledge of the intellectual, emotional, psychological and physical development of adolescents is essential.
• Genuine respect for young adults and an ability to establish rapport with them.
• Ability to administer and direct the work of staff and volunteers.
• Ability to express oneself orally and in writing.
• Flexibility, initiative, energy, patience and tact to deal effectively with the public.
• Excellent people and reference skills.
• Planning and organizational skills needed.
• Has access to a limited amount of confidential information.
• Errors could result in lower standards of library service, waste of public funds and poor public relations.

Physical Requirements

• Light physical effort required in carrying and shelving books, and in performing other typical library functions.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching and climbing.
• Ability to operate a keyboard at an efficient speed.
• Frequently required to sit and talk or hear, use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Vision and hearing at or correctable to "normal ranges".

From: Standards for Public Library Service to Young Adults in Massachusetts Massachusetts Library Association, 1997