Community Languages Librarian

City of Hillsboro•Or 97124, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Our Team Help Hillsboro residents find library materials and services that reflect their languages, interests, and experiences. As our Community Languages Librarian, you will provide direct service to the public, develop Hillsboro’s community-language collections, and build relationships that help the Library better understand what our community wants and needs. This position is joining Hillsboro Public Library during an important period of change. Collection management responsibilities will transition to Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) in July 2027, allowing this role to develop into a broader community-focused Librarian position. About Hillsboro Public Library Our mission, For Everyone | Para Todos , guides how we serve our community. Hillsboro Public Library is proud to offer a robust community-languages collection that helps people access information, stories, and resources in the languages that matter to them. Our work is grounded in five Library values: Belonging, Credibility, Excellence, Sustainability, and Innovation with Purpose. These values shape how we serve the public, manage resources, protect intellectual freedom, and respond to the changing needs of our community. Position Overview This is a generalist Librarian role with a focus on collection development, community engagement, and data analysis. You will spend regular time assisting patrons at the service desk while also selecting, purchasing, evaluating, and maintaining Spanish-language and other community-language materials. You will report to a Library Supervisor and work closely with other Librarians, Library Support Specialists, Library Materials Assistants, community partners, volunteers, and employees throughout the Library. How This Role Will Evolve Through June 30, 2027, the role will continue to combine direct customer service with community-language selection, purchasing, collection maintenance, and budget responsibilities. Beginning in July 2027, most physical collection management will transition to WCCLS. The position is expected to place greater emphasis on community engagement, communicating Hillsboro’s collection needs, and helping residents access the countywide collection. Some collection responsibilities will remain, and the role may continue to evolve as Hillsboro Public Library and WCCLS develop the centralized model. What You’ll Be Doing The balance of these responsibilities will shift beginning July 2027, with less time spent on collection selection and more on community engagement and direct service. Provide welcoming, responsive service to a broad range of community members and help them find information, materials, and Library resources. Provide reference, research, and readers advisory assistance in person and through phone, email, and online service points. Select, purchase, replace, evaluate, and remove materials following the Library’s Collection Development Policy. Develop and maintain collections for all ages in Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other community languages. Use Polaris, Power BI, borrowing data, community feedback, and other resources to identify collection needs and guide decisions. Monitor material expenditures and manage purchasing for assigned collection areas. Build relationships with Hillsboro’s language communities and create trusted opportunities for people to share what materials and services would be most useful to them. Support collections and services at both Brookwood and Shute Park libraries. Work with colleagues to maintain community access points, including NovelBranch and the Library’s Tiny Branches (library-sponsored Little Free Libraries). Support daily operations and a safe, welcoming environment by following Library and City policies, maintaining records, contributing to projects, and serving as Person in Charge when assigned. Serve as Person in Charge of a Library branch on an occasional basis. Current and Upcoming Priorities Assess whether community-language collections reflect local needs, and recommend vendors and purchasing options to address gaps. Help transition physical collection management from Hillsboro Public Library to WCCLS. Support the replacement and refreshed branding of the Library’s 12 Tiny Branches in partnership with the Library’s Public Information Officer and Hillsboro Parks & Recreation.

Requirements

Experience selecting, evaluating, purchasing, or maintaining library materials.
Experience in serving a broad general public, balancing competing needs, responding compassionately during challenging interactions, setting respectful expectations, and using de-escalation techniques when appropriate.
The ability to build relationships with community members and organizations.
Experience seeking feedback and using it to improve materials or services.
An understanding of collection development, intellectual freedom, and the Library Bill of Rights.
The ability to use data and community input to make thoughtful decisions.
Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
The ability to adapt as responsibilities and service models change.
A commitment to equitable access and responsive public service.
Strong digital literacy and the ability to learn Library systems and vendor platforms.
Master’s degree in Library Science, Information Science, or a closely related field AND at least six months of library selection experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.

Nice To Haves

Spanish or another priority community language is strongly preferred, but language skills beyond English are not required.

Responsibilities

Provide welcoming, responsive service to a broad range of community members and help them find information, materials, and Library resources.
Provide reference, research, and readers advisory assistance in person and through phone, email, and online service points.
Select, purchase, replace, evaluate, and remove materials following the Library’s Collection Development Policy.
Develop and maintain collections for all ages in Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other community languages.
Use Polaris, Power BI, borrowing data, community feedback, and other resources to identify collection needs and guide decisions.
Monitor material expenditures and manage purchasing for assigned collection areas.
Build relationships with Hillsboro’s language communities and create trusted opportunities for people to share what materials and services would be most useful to them.
Support collections and services at both Brookwood and Shute Park libraries.
Work with colleagues to maintain community access points, including NovelBranch and the Library’s Tiny Branches (library-sponsored Little Free Libraries).
Support daily operations and a safe, welcoming environment by following Library and City policies, maintaining records, contributing to projects, and serving as Person in Charge when assigned.
Serve as Person in Charge of a Library branch on an occasional basis.
Assess whether community-language collections reflect local needs, and recommend vendors and purchasing options to address gaps.
Help transition physical collection management from Hillsboro Public Library to WCCLS.
Support the replacement and refreshed branding of the Library’s 12 Tiny Branches in partnership with the Library’s Public Information Officer and Hillsboro Parks & Recreation.

Benefits

Competitive pay with City contributions to PERS retirement
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Paid time off for vacation, personal, sick leave, and holidays
Deferred compensation match and HRA VEBA contributions to support your future savings
City-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
Bilingual pay incentives and wellness reimbursements
A free annual TriMet Hop pass
Free SHARC and Hidden Creek Community Center access for you and your immediate family
Paid time to volunteer through Hillsboro Helps
Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
A supportive workplace that values work-life balance and employee wellness