Youth Services Leader

Objective of the position: 

The Youth Services Leader provides friendly, high quality service to library customers under the direction of the Manager. Successfully promotes the value of library services to children and their caregivers through classes, school visits, community outreach and more. The Youth Services Leader oversees all day to day youth services operations for the library up to and including supervising and coaching library staff conducting youth services programming. Ensures a positive customer experience by determining customer needs, analyzing and solving problems, and directing customers to appropriate staff and resources. Responsible for selecting new materials and maintaining Library’s, children’s collections. Responsible for all operations of in the absence of the Manager. Supports the Manager in leading and managing staff and building resources in order to achieve stated Library goals and objectives. Committed to the Pickerington Public Library’s Mission to “Inspiring Learning, Connecting Community, Enriching Our World, Fostering a Love of Reading!” 

Supervisory responsibilities: Directs staff when Manager is unavailable. Provides feedback to Managers regarding staff performance. Coaches and trains staff.

Job Summary:

• Oversees youth services operations: directs and coaches’ staff and operational workflow if and when the Manager is unavailable
• Plan, coordinate, promote and present youth events/classes, displays and outreach area
• Selects materials to fill teacher collections
• Knowledge of the loan times of materials
• Works the information services desk : Interviews, researches and answers customer questions in person, over the phone, by email, instant messaging, etc. by locating appropriate sources of information using a variety of tools including the Internet
• Provides readers’ advisory to customers (in person and virtually) using appropriate sources of information including knowledge of the collection, the publishing industry and electronic resources.
• Plans and creates the displays of special books in the youth department
• Assists with directional instructions and education of book lists and library databases
• Attends professional meetings and trainings
• Supports planning and preparations for all library reading initiatives (Summer Reading, Winter Reading, etc.)
• Trains public and staff on use of Library technologies, one-on-one and in classroom settings
• Performs collection development activities based on knowledge of the community needs, usage levels, and relevance of materials. 
• Supports maintaining the collection, including weeding, shelving, processing reserves, etc.
• Assists in maintaining local databases, websites, etc. and may assist Information Technology staff in the design, development and testing of products for the website
• Assists in any customer service areas as needed
• Resolve customer account disputes by interviewing customer, analyzing account information, communicating about the situation and negotiating with customer
• Supports the Youth Services Leader as backup in the creation and maintaining the monthly schedules for all staff members. Makes schedule adjustments and assignments as needed. 
• Perform opening and closing duties
• Reports unusual problems with the staff, customers, materials or equipment to the Manager and ELT
• Participate in staff meetings and serve on or lead committees and library projects when appropriate
• Seek out and participate in continuing education opportunities in order to keep skills current and broaden knowledge
• Supports the Youth Services leader and Manager in managing money, including balancing and reconciling cash drawers, checking receipts and records from various money collection machines, preparing deposits, completing reports, etc.
• Assists customers with OPAC terminals and searches by title/author
• Demonstrates understanding of basic library routines and adheres to library policies and procedures
• Supports the information team by staffing the information desk when needed
• Supports maintaining and ordering office supply inventory 
• Performs additional duties as assigned including serving on task forces, committees, working at community events etc.
• Selects materials for assigned areas of the youth collections based on knowledge of the community needs, usage levels, and relevance of materials
• Utilizes computer applications and Library equipment, maintains current knowledge of system wide and location specific procedures, processes, policies and operations. 
• Utilizes email, voicemail and other Library technology to maintain open channels of communication

Essential functions:

• Able to interact effectively with children
• Must be able to maintain composure in stressful situations
• Demonstrates adaptability to library needs
• Ability to provide leadership and direction
• Able to cooperate with other staff, promote teamwork and share information
• Ability to exercise good judgment in work performance
• Ability to interact tactfully and courteously with staff, other libraries’ personnel, vendors, library administrations, and customers
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
• Acquire knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System
• Ability to stand and/or sit for long periods of time
• Ability to lift or push heavy objects such as boxes of books and loaded book carts
• Ability to pay attention to detail
• Able to work independently
• Ability to meet the physical demands listed 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends

Position Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and/or 3-5 years Youth Services experience           
• Excellent communication skills 
• Interest in interacting positively with children with a demonstrated commitment to serving library customers and residents of the community
• Knowledge of basic library principles, methods and procedures
• Skill in Microsoft Office applications
• Skill in ILS automation environment, or ability to develop that skill
• Maintains professional, businesslike behavior and appearance
• Must have a valid Driver’s License, maintain insurability under the library’s insurance and successfully pass a background check

Physical Demands: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds and push a 50-pound cart. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

Environmental factors: indoor/outdoor-offsite

Working conditions: Library operating/non-operating hours including nights and weekends. 

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.