Youth Services Specialist

LIVE OAK PUBLIC LIBRARIES•Garden City, GA

6h•$17•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Services Specialist contributes to the effective operations of the library by providing a variety of literary, educational, cultural programs, activities, and services for youth aged birth-18and their caregivers. This position is responsible for working collaboratively with all other library departments, outside agencies, and organizations for the planning and implementation of a wide variety of programs. Reports to the Community Library Manager/Library Lead.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; OR, an Associate’s degree with six (6) years of related work experience; OR, 8 years of related work experience is required; PLUS
Experience working with and for children and/or teens required.
Valid driver’s license and insurability required.
Knowledge of developmental, recreational and educational needs of children and teens.
Knowledge of current trends in library services for and with children, teens, and their caregivers.
Knowledge of standard library procedures, current information technology, Internet and database search capabilities.
Knowledge of best practices in Children’s Services, including guidelines and standards published by ALA, YALSA and other recognized organizations.
Knowledge of effective practices in community assessment, program evaluation and outcomes measurement.
Ability to communicate effectively with others, orally and in writing, including through email.
Ability to identify and translate the needs and interests of children and their caregivers into effective library services and programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, patrons, user groups, community organizations, volunteer groups and to serve the public courteously.
Ability to recognize and set priorities, and to use initiative and independent judgment in a variety of situations.
Ability to learn and stay current with emerging technologies, including digital media.

Nice To Haves

One year experience developing and presenting programs for teens and/or tweens preferred.
One (1) year of experience developing and presenting programs for teens and/or tweens preferred

Responsibilities

Provides reference and readers advisory services in the Teen area and Children's area, or as needed at other service points; provides instructional use on library resources (books and digital) and assists patrons with inter-library loan requests; instructs teens, tweens, and their caregivers in information gathering, research skills, and digital literacy skills.
Provides friendly, courteous, and accurate service to all library users.
Develops, presents, and evaluates workshops and programs for children, teens, and their caregivers.
Creates displays for the Teen area or Children's area, and other areas of the library as directed.
Assists the Regional Librarian for Children’s and Teen Programming in the preparation of the annual Youth Services budget, providing timely updates on the use of funds.
Collaborates with Regional Librarian for Children’s and Teen Programming and the library’s administrative team to prepare short and long- term goals to serve children, teens, and their caregivers.
Participates in regular team communications to discuss and develop programming themes, special event planning and participation, patron policies, expectations, issues and concerns, library communication, and community involvement.
Keeps informed about outcomes of departmental community needs assessments to identify patron needs in order to create tailored services and programs for children, teens, and their caregivers.
Coordinates with community schools and other organizations and agencies in order to promote library services, materials, and programs.
Creates informational material, bibliographies, pathfinders, blog posts and/or other resources highlighting books or topics related to children’s and YA literature, interests, etc. for the library, the website, or other public information venues; contributes to the monthly staff newsletter; creates internal procedures manuals and troubleshooting guides.
Actively encourages the use of the library and invites community members to participate in library events and activities.
Represents the library at professional meetings, activities, and conferences as assigned; prepare written reports for the Library Director about these events and new learnings.
Remains current on trends in children’s and teen literature, programming, and culture through consortium meetings, workshops, and other appropriate seminars.
May perform opening and closing procedures.
Monitors the behavior and conduct of patrons in the Teen Room and Children’s Area and intervene as necessary to ensure appropriate conduct.
Seeks out and applies for grants and additional funding; administers funds received and prepares necessary reports.
Performs other related duties as assigned.