YOUNG ADULT SERVICES LIBRARIAN, SARASOTA COUNTY (FL) LIBRARY SYSTEM. Develop and implement library services to young adults by collaborating with co-workers, educators, and community-agency representatives. Create an environment where teens may engage more fully in the resources and services of the library, where they feel comfortable and will be inspired to explore their scholastic and creative potential. This position works where children regularly congregate and in accordance with Florida Statues applicants must pass criminal sexual predator and sexual offender background check. Successful applicants will also be subject to local/state and FBI background checks (including fingerprinting). Selected candidate for hire is subject to passing substance screening. This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five years.
Responsibilities for Youth Services: Develop and implement standards of service that ensure a prompt and efficient response to each inquiry by internal and external customers, delivered with the utmost respect and courtesy. Design and implement library services to meet the needs and interests of the young adult community. Facilitate requests for information and provides accurate and appropriate answers. Connect young adults and their families with resources that encourage reading. Provide informational services for the community, including access to library resources and services. Present individual and group training for public and staff in use of library, technology, equipment, and resources. General reference service in assisting customers in locating answers to question and referral to agencies outside the library. Keep abreast of developments, new trends, and innovations in libraries. As part of the youth team, provide regular assistance at Youth service desk and to other sections as needed. Provide leadership role to youth and teens. Represent Sarasota County to library users. Plan and direct volunteer activities (Teen Advisory Board).
. . . for Communication/Programming/Outreach: Design, implement, and sponsor library programs that offer information, special skills, or entertainment based on the interests and developmental needs of young adults. Define and implement outreach services to increase young adults’ use of library services and reach underserved populations. Prepare reviews; compile brochures, calendars, flyers, bibliographies, and booklists. Prepare press releases and other promotional materials. Create displays and offer outreach services; plan and direct programs for young adults. Represent the library at local, community, county, regional, and system-wide meetings. Analyze community areas to determine current and projected needs and interests. Give outreach and in-library talks on library resources and services. Cultivate a good relationship with parents and youth/teens. Foster partnerships with youth- and teen-services agencies (such as Community Youth Development-CYD).
. . . for Staff Development: Establish and pursue strategies to stay informed about current and relevant information resources to meet the young adult community’s evolving needs. Participate in development of goals, objectives, business plan, and annual evaluations. Instruct new department employees, coordinate assignments, and appraise performance. Collaborate with youth team to recruit, train, and manage work of volunteers. Encourage staff and volunteers to use individual talents to creatively address tasks. Participate in cross training in other sections and aid in cross training in employee’s own section. Participate in assigned Emergency/Hurricane/COOP role as required by Sarasota County. Provide opportunities for continuing professional development of self and others, especially in acquiring relevant understanding and skills.
. . . for Collection Development/Maintenance: Build a collection to meet the needs and interests of young adults. Review and recommend materials for the collections. Participate in collection maintenance, including shelving, and weeding.
. . . for Administration. Articulate and communicate to stakeholders the needs of young adults to receive quality library service. Operate within an assigned budget. Operate and maintain library technology and equipment. Supervise volunteers. Encourage volunteers to use individual talents to address tasks creatively. Interpret policies and procedures for the public. Assist with identification of alternative funding sources and preparation of required documentation. Participate in developing goals and objectives in assigned section and agency. Compile, maintain, and evaluate statistics.
Minimum Qualifications: An ALA-accredited MLIS or a Bachelor degree and enrollment in an MLS/MLIS program with the ability to obtain an MLS/MLIS within six months of hire.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience in a library and course completion in library services for adolescents and young adults, including collection development, programming, and evaluation. Courses in facilitation, web design, and adolescent and teen psychology are a plus.
Job-based Competencies: Knowledge of current trends, youth and young adult collection resources, technology, social networking, and gaming software and hardware. Facilitation and strategic planning skills recommended. Familiarity with operation of standard office equipment, Windows applications, ILS systems, desktop publishing software, etc.
Work Schedule: Days and hours will vary. Must be able to participate in all hours of operation including daytime, evening, and weekend hours, as well as hours at other locations. A typical schedule might be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or noon to 8:00 p.m. May be re-assigned to a different work location.
About Sarasota County Government Libraries: Sarasota’s County Library System was recognized as the “2012 Library of the Year” by the Florida Library Association. For more information on Sarasota County Libraries, please go to: www.scgov.net/Library
To Apply: https://www.scgov.net/. When applying for positions, you will be requested to respond to some questions. We recommend that you type your response in a WORD document (or similar software) and save your answers. If for any reason you need to stop and come back to your application, you could be timed out and lose any unsaved information. Applicants are asked to answer a number of questions where you can write a response up to 900 characters. If you save your responses in WORD (or other software) and are time-out of the system for any reason, you will be able to cut and paste the responses into the application when you apply at a later time.
Andrea Ginsky | Sarasota County Library System | aginsky@scgov.net | ph 941-861-5459 | cell 941-232-5516 | https://www.scgov.net/Library
Sarasota County Government is committed to wellness and successful applicants must be tobacco free for twelve months preceding date of application.