Young Adult Librarian/Specialist II - High Bridge Library

Job Description

Job Description

Description

Overview

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 100 years. NYPL’s neighborhood libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—many of which date to Andrew Carnegie’s visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century—are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service, and vital community hubs that provide far more than just free books and materials. 

The Young Adult Services (YAS) Department has developed a vision for teen services called “Teens 360”. The goal is to surround teens with the spaces, resources, programming, relationships, and opportunities they need to not just succeed, but to thrive. 

The Library is seeking Young Adult Librarians/Specialist II’s who will focus on bringing new middle and high school audiences into NYPL’s branches, and on engaging youth in programming that centers teen interests and teen voice. They will empower teens to become creative thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and resourceful users of information. Successful candidates will embody each of these four characteristics themselves. 

Librarians/Specialist II start at $55,027 per year and are eligible in 12 months for an increased salary of $60,574 based on successful job performance.

Responsibilities: 

Under the supervision of the Library Manager, the Young Adult Librarian/Specialist II:

• Creates a space, in collaboration with Library staff, that is teen-centered, welcoming, and encourages emotional, social, and intellectual growth, building a sense of teen belonging.

• Provides reference services and resource recommendations using print, media and digital resources 

• Collaborates with the Youth Educational Services Department to develop, promote and facilitate innovative programs to build literacy and a love of reading to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of the community’s teens, parents and childcare providers, including programs, visual and performing arts programming, STEM programs, summer reading events, and a variety of other programs both in the Library and throughout the community

• Develop and modify, in collaboration with Library staff, flexible programs that engage and sustain teens in content creation while developing marketable skills.

• Operate and inventory a variety of site-specific equipment including but not limited to desktop and laptop computers (PC and Mac), printers, cameras, music-making tools, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and microphones.

• Provide teens with regular opportunities to showcase their work digitally and in print.

• Partners with the collection development team to shape and maintain the Young Adult's collection ensuring it is diverse, current, relevant and meets the needs of the community

• Works to engage teens with the collection in ways that allow them to follow their interests and discover new ones

• Conducts outreach to and develops partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, and community groups that target teens to promote the library’s services (e.g., MyLibraryNYC, the Library’s partnership with NYC schools), collections, specialized programs and resources to enhance the reading skills of children and teens

• Encourages digital literacy and provides age-appropriate technology instruction to children and teens

• Develops and maintains content for social media platforms such as Library blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest 

• Develops and maintains the layout and appearance of the teen’s space ensuring a safe and inviting area filled with relevant resources 

• Mentors library staff in preparing and presenting teen’s programs

• Assists with circulation, fines & fees management, reserves and opening/closing procedures

• May take responsibility for the facility, staff and operations in the absence of the Library Manager

• Maintains a working knowledge of trends in young adult literature, youth services and the profession through webinars, meetings, internal training, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships

• Performs related duties as required

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies, Education, or a related field

• Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York will be required (within 45 days upon hire) for any candidate with a Master’s in Library and Information Studies
  Required Skills
• Strong commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage

• Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs for Young Adults 

• Knowledge and appreciation of Young Adult literature, audiovisual materials, computer resources, and other materials that constitute a balanced, relevant youth collection

• Experience developing, maintaining and marketing Young Adult collections

• Experience building partnerships with local organizations and schools to better meet the needs of community users 

• Demonstrated interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

• Successfully demonstrated ability to work as part of a team

• Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously

• Strong computer and other related technology skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google applications, PCs, Macs and e-reader devices

• Demonstrated knowledge of computer services including online searching, social media, reference resources and databases 

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends for young adults in urban public libraries preferred

More...

Please Note: Effective August 2, 2021, absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager. The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library’s operational needs, among other factors. The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library’s vaccination policy will be provided with additional instructions at the time of the conditional offer.

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems 
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Multiple locations across NYPL branches

Physical Duties

• May require lifting up to 15 lbs

• Sitting and standing for periods of time

• Daily use of a computer

Pre-Placement Physical Required?
No

Union
Local 1930

FLSA Status
Non-Exempt

Schedule

• 35 hours per week during regular branch hours
  This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.