Teen Services & Youth Programming Librarian

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Teen Services & Youth Programming Librarian

REPORTS TO: Youth Services Librarian Department Head

SUPERVISES:
GRADE CLASSIFICATION: Level 5 / Middletown Public Library Employees Association / NEARI

WORK SCHEDULE: Full time 35 hours per week – 5 days a week, including a mix of opening and

closing shifts, as well as an every other Friday and every other Saturday schedule on an A/B

week rotation, unless agreed otherwise. If/when the library is open on Sundays, the schedule

will include one Sunday a month.

SALARY: In accordance with established pay scale – $32 an hour to start, and full benefits package

including paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical plan.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Teen Services & Youth Programming Librarian is a professional librarian with primary responsibility for teen services and the Teen Center. Under the supervision of the Youth Services Librarian Department Head, this position develops services, programs, and opportunities that respond to the interests and needs of teens; participates in programming for children and families; and works collaboratively with the Youth Services team to provide engaging services for young people and their caregivers. The position builds relationships with schools and community organizations and works across departments to develop and deliver major library-wide programs for all ages.

I. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

1. Assess community needs and develop, coordinate, and evaluate programs and services for teens, children, and families aligned with community interests and the library’s strategic goals.

2. Work collaboratively with Youth Services staff to implement programs and services, including scheduling, setup, delivery, and coordination of promotion with the Marketing & Outreach Associate. Collaborate with staff across departments to develop and deliver major library-wide programs for all ages.

3. Oversee the Teen Center, including space management, safety procedures, staff training, and development of programs and services utilizing the space. Develop opportunities for teen engagement and leadership, including coordinating a Teen Advisory Board and teen volunteer opportunities.

4. Develop and maintain partnerships with schools, educators, youth-serving organizations, and community groups; represent the library at school visits, community events, meetings, and other outreach opportunities; identify new opportunities to expand access to library services.

5. Evaluate program effectiveness through attendance, feedback, and data analysis, and adjust offerings accordingly.

6. Design programs that incorporate the interests of teens and children (e.g., STEAM, creative arts, technology, literacy) and expand offerings based on community demand and staff expertise.

7. Stay current with trends in teen services, youth programming, community engagement, and public library practice.

8. Participate in library-wide promotional efforts, including contributing to social media, newsletter content, and marketing campaigns as needed. Develop and coordinate promotional materials for youth programs and services, including program listings, flyers, website content, and social media posts, in collaboration with the Marketing & Outreach Associate. Maintain webpages related to teen and youth services.

9. Work with Youth Services staff to maintain youth areas, including the Teen Center, as welcoming, safe, well-organized, and engaging spaces.

10. Provide public service support to patrons of all ages, including reference and reader’s advisory, proctoring, notary services, and assistance with computers, devices, printing, and digital resources. Provide coverage at any service desk as needed or assigned.

11. Participate in collection development by recommending, selecting, and weeding materials for teen and assigned youth areas in coordination with the Youth Services Librarian Department Head.

12. Track attendance and engagement metrics for programs, outreach, and Teen Center usage. Ensure all library statistics are maintained and prepared for monthly board reports, annual state reports, and other requested data.

13. Manage assigned budget line items, including planning expenditures, monitoring balances, and making purchasing recommendations. Participate in identifying, applying for, administering, and reporting on grants as assigned, in coordination with and under the direction of the Department Head.

14. Assist with building operations tasks such as opening/closing, safety checks, and supply orders. Teen Services & Youth Programming Librarian Page 1 of 2

Middletown Public Library, Rhode Island Revised 9/2026

15. Participate and work cooperatively as part of the library’s Leadership Team to provide feedback on library services, recommend policy changes, and develop solutions to problems to ensure efficient operations.

16. Attend appropriate meetings and trainings.

17. Act as Person in Charge of the library in the absence of the Library Director, Assistant Director, Librarian Department Heads, or any other member of staff at the same grade level with higher seniority. Adjust staff schedules as necessary to help ensure staffing needs of the entire library are met.

18. Perform other related job duties as necessary, including but not limited to other duties at lower grade levels.

II. NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of public library services, resources, and best practices for teens, children, and family audiences

2. Strong understanding of youth development, learning styles, interests, and information needs

3. Ability to work effectively and empathetically with youth and their caregivers from diverse backgrounds

4. Ability to design and deliver inclusive, creative, and engaging programs for teens, children, and family audiences

5. Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines

6. Excellent public-speaking, outreach, and community-building skills for school visits, partnership events, and library programs

7. Familiarity with reader’s advisory, digital literacy instruction, reference resources, and emerging technologies relevant to youth services

8. Comfort using technology and social-media platforms to connect with teens and promote programs and services

9. Strong initiative, flexibility, and a collaborative mindset

10. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

11. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with staff, patrons, and community partners

12. Commitment to equitable access, intellectual freedom, and inclusive programs, services, and collections

III. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program required, or significant progress towards receiving it

2. One (1) year or more working with teens and/or children in a library, educational, or community-based setting preferred, experience working with teens strongly preferred.

3. Demonstrated interest or experience in teen services, youth programming, outreach, or other community engagement work

4. Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

5. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors, customers, Town officials, and the general public

6. Must have the ability to work well with people of all ages, abilities, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity

7. Must possess/project a welcoming demeanor, positive attitude, patience, and a professional appearance

8. Must demonstrate exemplary customer service skills

9. Be self-directed, flexible, motivated, able to prioritize tasks, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail

10. Must possess strong computer and technology skills as applicable in the library environment

11. Must successfully complete a background check

IV. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interaction with the public, Town employees, and library vendors. May need to travel to off site locations for outreach using various modes of private and public transportation and should have a valid driver’s license.

2. Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting, to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to verbally communicate and exchange information.

3. Vision: See in the normal vision range with or without correction.

4. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

V. EQUIPMENT: Equipment used includes but is not limited to the following: Computers/laptops and peripheral devices, copy machine, faxing, telephone, smart TV, Vibe Boards, scanners, e-readers, tablets, projectors, and any other items as may be traditionally found in a public library, and any non-traditional items found in a “library of Things” or library makerspace.

The Town of Middletown is an Equal Opportunity Employer Teen Services & Youth Programming Librarian Page 2 of 2

Middletown Public Library, Rhode Island Revised 9/2026