Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Manager – Youth Services and Outreach City of Port Townsend Job Description Library Manager – Youth Services and Outreach Classification title: Library Manager Working title: Library Manager – Youth Services and Outreach Department: Community Services – Library Union: Non-represented FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 620 Hours: 40 Effective date: Jan. 2022; Mar. 2025; June 2026 Reports to: Community Services Director Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY Under the general direction of the Community Services Director, the Library Manager – Youth Services and Outreach manages the administration and operations of the Youth Services division of the Port Townsend Public Library. This division encompasses infants through young adults and duties include circulation, collections development, cataloging, reference, programming, and outreach to all ages. Oversees library volunteer program. Responsible for the operation, maintenance, day-to-day supervision, and general activities of the library. This position is distinguished from most other library jobs by its administrative and supervisory requirements and its required professional education degree. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  In coordination with the Community Services Director and Library management team, the Library Manager – Youth Services plans, promotes, and implements library services, programs, and outreach for youth within the library and the community.  Performs all job functions with significant opportunities for exercising independent judgment and initiative.  Shares in the development and execution of overall library goals and objectives in support of the library’s mission and core values.  Supervises library staff who support the work of youth services and outreach.  Assists patrons of all ages by providing professional library reference and readers’ advisory services in person at public service desks, electronically, and by phone. Helps patrons use reference tools, conduct in-depth research, locate materials, and manage accounts.  Develops meaningful literacy-enhanced programming for all ages, such as storytimes, homework help, summer reading programs, seasonally themed activities, and infant enrichment programs.  Promotes a love of reading and develops programs designed to increase children’s and young adults’ desire to read for recreational and educational purposes.  Manages a customer-focused library collection for infants, children, and young adults. Selects, evaluates, and deselects materials in all media based on the needs and expectations of the community, current trends, and patterns of use. Maximizes resources by implementing the school/library collection development agreement. Catalogs or supervises cataloging of youth library materials. Library Manager – Youth Services & Outreach  Takes a leadership role in collaborations with area schools, in particular the Port Townsend School District and schools in the library’s cooperative network (CLEO). Works in close partnership with the Port Townsend School District Librarians.  Creates a vibrant customer experience for library patrons by embracing new technologies, modifying the collection to meet patron needs, looking for new ways to reach customers outside the library, and fostering a sense of discovery and exploration.  Understands and anticipates trends that will affect libraries, literacy, publishing, and information technology. Embraces innovation and experimentation and recommends and implements changes that help the library stay relevant and vital to the community.  Stays abreast of new research and trends in the teaching of reading, children’s learning styles, child and adolescent development, and parenting styles to provide practical advice related to literacy to parents, guardians, and caregivers. Gives presentations at community and professional forums on children’s literature, early childhood literacy, databases, and reading.  Positively represents the library and the City of Port Townsend through exceptional customer service and ongoing outreach to individuals and organizations in the community.  May serve on interdepartmental committees with other City departments or regional library committees.  Oversees StoryWalk and changes stories on a quarterly or more frequent basis.  Responsible for all library volunteers and oversees staff that directly train and report on volunteer activities.  Oversees the library’s Books on Wheels program and staff who are directly responsible for program. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES  Advanced commitment to the design and delivery of exceptional storytimes for ages 0-6.  Thorough understanding of professional library principles, library advocacy, intellectual freedom, public library operations, and principles and processes relative to the development and delivery of youth services.  Comprehensive knowledge of children’s collections and programming.  Strong supervisor skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to inspire and motivate direct reports.  Advanced public presentations skills.  Demonstrated skill in using personal computers in a Windows environment, online library applications, databases, Internet searching tools and methods, and a variety of information resources.  Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.  Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness.  Ability to maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, leadership team, elected officials, advisory board members, volunteers, patrons, and the general.  Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, directors, the general public, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.  Ability to communicate ideas and thoughts clearly, succinctly, and effectively, both orally and in writing; work well with diverse audiences and people of different ages.  Ability to work with minimal supervision and collaboratively within a team. Library Manager – Youth Services & Outreach  Strong commitment to public service and to providing excellent customer service. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS  An MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited institution and a Washington State Librarian's Certificate. Applicants who are within 6 months of completing their degree program may apply. Applicants with an MLS/MLIS who do not yet have the WSLC must obtain one upon employment.  Valid WA State driver’s license and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed in a library or community setting with some hectic or demanding situations that may involve behavioral issues. The position has frequent interruptions and requires maximum flexibility. It includes work at a computer monitor. Extended periods of standing are sometimes required. The schedule is varied, changes periodically, and includes evenings and weekends. Requires driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, grasping, hearing, reaching, repetitive motions of hand/wrists; close, distance and peripheral vision is also required as is depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to talk and hear and to reach with hands and arms above the head. Occasionally lift or move up to 35 pounds and push or pull carts weighing up to 150 pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. All employees must comply with all City policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.