Careers

Teen Librarian

The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is looking for a Teen Librarian who is energetic, organized, creative, and has a passion for working with teens.

The Teen Librarian provides oversight to internal library services related to teens, ages 12-18. Manages projects related to literacy and learning for teens and develops teams associated with project implementation. Establishes and maintains strong relationships with appropriate community organizations and acts as a spokesperson for teen services.

As the Teen Librarian some of the things you will do are:

Customer Engagement

• Deliver high quality customer service by assisting customers with library materials, digital resources, technology equipment, information needs, or other services.  Engage with customers in person, by phone, by email, by text messaging, or by chat services.  Promote the use of services, materials, and programs to customers. 
• Instruct customers on how to locate, reserve, and check out materials.  Instruct customers on how to locate and register for services. Troubleshoot issues related to services, materials, and technology use. Communicate well with children and adults. Interactions may take place in the library or in the community as outreach. 
• Maintain collections and spaces for ease of use, attractiveness, and general upkeep.
• Ensure that customers are abiding by all library policies and procedures to allow for a safe and enjoyable experience for all library visitors and staff.

Program Development

• Research, prepare, present, facilitate, and evaluate physical and virtual learning opportunities for the public based upon community needs and interests individually or as part of a team. 
• Follow the library’s programming framework when planning, presenting, and evaluating programs.
• Create age-appropriate programming to meet the unique needs of youth aged 12-18.

Content Creation

• Research, prepare, write/record content for publicity, displays, social media platforms, and websites under the advisement of the Communications and Marketing Department.

Leadership

• Develop and execute plans in collaboration with the Youth Services Supervisor related to organizational goals and services for teens.   Significant areas of focus include teen engagement for the development of and participation in readership, digital fluency, and both social and life skills.
• Act as a spokesperson for library goals especially those related to teens.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with appropriate community organizations to increase advocacy and awareness of services, to evaluate opportunities to collaborate on resources, and to develop programs, services, and initiatives focused directly on targeted customer needs. 
• Lead meetings with departmental and cross-departmental teams as requested by supervisor to accomplish projects related to plans for teen plans.
• Assist in maintaining quality/consistency of departmental operations through scheduling and budgeting functions.

Attendance

• Maintain prompt arrival and efficiently and dependably maintains scheduled hours.

Position Requirements/Preferences

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• One year of experience working directly with youth in a professional capacity.

Preferred:

• Master of Library Science from and accredited college or university.
• Three years of experience working directly with youth in a professional capacity.
• Multilingual fluency in English and at least one other language is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of young adult literature, authors, and pop culture.
• Knowledge of library tools and learning resources such as databases, print resources and online resources.
• Strong organization and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to manage assignments and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to contribute fresh ideas and workable solutions.
• Ability to communicate inclusively, with cultural sensitivity and be approachable in verbal, written, and non-verbal communications.
• Ability to work independently or in a team and to adapt quickly in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with customers, volunteers, community partners, colleagues, and supervisors
• Ability to travel safely to outreach sites within the community.
• Ability to perform detailed work with accuracy.
• Ability to work scheduled hours, arrive promptly and maintain regular and reliable attendance.

A pre and/or post-employment drug screen, criminal history record check and physical capacity testing are required as a condition of employment.

SCHEDULE: Days, nights and some weekend hours are required.  

PAY & BENEFITS: Starting salary will be in the range of $46,633.60 to $58,281.60 depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits including health & dental insurance with pre-tax premiums, and a retirement plan (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System KPERS). Group life, disability coverage and accidental death benefits are also provided. Other optional benefits available at employee's expense include vision, life and cancer insurance and a deferred compensation plan.

A completed and signed TSCPL job application along with a resume and cover letter is required for consideration. 

Applications must be received by March 17, 2024.

About the Library:

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Library Journal 2016 Library of the Year, is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique (bookstore and gift shop), free meeting rooms, computer training and free gigabit Wi-Fi access.

Located in the heart of Shawnee County, the library has a collection of more than 450,000 books and serves more than 111,000 registered borrowers. About 1,500 people walk through our doors daily. Our bookmobiles make about 20 stops six days a week traveling across the county. We provide services to 55 senior living facilities and 85 homebound individuals. Our Library At Work program delivers library materials to mailrooms at 15 employers throughout the community. Our website serves customers’ needs 24/7. The library offers state-of-the art technology, youth programs that encourage learning and reading, accessibility services addressing the needs of older readers and persons with disabilities, and reference and research tools.

The library is a great meeting venue for community groups and is a cultural hub for art, music and literature. People of all ages discover and experience art at the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery. We connect individuals to culture, art and artists – both modern and classic. The gallery is also recognized for two national art competitions and its annual art exhibit for children. Professional exhibits from the library’s permanent collection (the oldest in the city) as well as traveling exhibits draw nearly 20,000 visitors annually.

The library is helping to transform the lives of its citizens through five community impact goals:

• Every child will be ready for kindergarten;
• Everyone will discover their passion for learning;
• Everyone will continue learning new ways to live their best life
• Topeka and Shawnee County will be an engaged community of readers; and
• The Library will be a learning organization committed to excellence in: Leadership, planning, customer focus, process management and partner focus.

Employment Application Supplemental Employment History