Librarian, Branch Youth Reference - Spanish fluency Job at Arapahoe Libraries in

Are you passionate about inspiring young people and nurturing a love for learning? Sheridan Library is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated advocate for youth to join our team as a Branch Youth Reference Librarian! Sheridan Library is a vibrant after-school hub for students in the Sheridan School District, offering an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact. In this role, you'll collaborate closely with our Youth Librarian Core Team, Early Literacy Librarians, and branch staff to provide valuable services to children, parents, and caregivers.

As part of our leadership team, you'll take on the role of Person-in-Charge, playing a key part in the branch's success and day-to-day operations. Your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion will help shape and improve library services, while you mentor staff and design engaging programs that resonate with the community. Whether you're curating the children's collection, creating inclusive learning spaces, or leading interactive activities, your work will leave a lasting positive impact. If you're a creative, inclusive, and passionate mentor ready to shape the next generation, this is the perfect role for you!

¿Te apasiona inspirar a los niños y fomentar el amor por el aprendizaje? ¡La Biblioteca Sheridan está buscando un promotor entusiasta y dedicado para los niños, que se una a nuestro equipo como Bibliotecario de Referencia para niños! La Biblioteca Sheridan es un vibrante centro extracurricular para los estudiantes del Distrito Escolar de Sheridan, ofreciendo una emocionante oportunidad para generar un impacto significativo. En este rol, colaborarás estrechamente con nuestro Equipo Central de Bibliotecarios de Niños, los Bibliotecarios de Alfabetización Temprana y el personal de la sucursal para proporcionar servicios valiosos a niños, padres y cuidadores.

Como parte de nuestro equipo de liderazgo, asumirás el rol de Persona a Cargo, desempeñando un papel clave en el éxito de las operaciones diarias de la sucursal. Tu compromiso con la equidad, la diversidad y la inclusión ayudará a dar forma y mejorar los servicios de la biblioteca, mientras asesoras al personal y diseñas programas atractivos que resuenen con la comunidad. Ya sea que estés curando la colección infantil, creando espacios de aprendizaje inclusivos o liderando actividades interactivas, tu trabajo dejará un impacto positivo y duradero. ¡Si eres un mentor creativo, inclusivo y apasionado, listo para formar a la próxima generación, este es el rol perfecto para ti!

Position: Librarian, Youth Reference -Spanish fluency

Location: Sheridan Library 3425 W. Oxford Ave. Denver, CO 80236

Reports to: Branch Manager

Position: Full-time. Ability to work evenings and weekends required.

Pay: $26.15 - $32.64 an hour without an MLIS degree

$54,400 -$67,900 annually with an MLIS degree

Required: Please submit a cover letter with your application.

Purpose: Serves as a district resource to provide library services and access to information for all ages, with primary focus on children, parents, and caregivers. Identifies and interprets user needs; provides reference, advisory, technology, programming and referral services to Library patrons.  Serves as an internal training resource and provides mentorship for branch staff. Reference Librarians are a part of the branch leadership team and act as a Person-in-Charge (PIC). This position requires a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion frameworks to evaluate and improve all areas of their work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

50% PATRON SERVICES:

• Offers in-person children's advisory, technology and reference services for children and adults.
• Conducts Ask-a-Librarian sessions with a priority for youth-focused requests and may take adult requests.
• Responds to materials requests from educators, parents, and caregivers.
• Answers phone reference questions.
• Provides computer and technology support to patrons.
• Provides floor coverage as needed, with a priority for working in the children's area but may assist with floor coverage in other areas.
• Provides technical/reference support to paraprofessional staff.
• Identifies community needs at the branch level and focuses on relationship building and customer service to children (ages 0-12), as well as their caregivers and educators.
• Cultivates participation in library services and programming by children.
• Works with children and caregivers with diverse backgrounds and abilities to tailor services to local community interest.
• Develops and conducts advisory based services specifically for children including targeted readers' advisory initiatives.
• May participate in district-wide projects and operations, e.g., Summer Reading program, committee work, etc.
• May contribute web and advisory content.
• May coordinate adult volunteers in the children's area.
• Person-in-Charge -
• Contributions to the branch PIC team may include:
• Executing emergency procedures.
• Overseeing opening and closing procedures.
• De-escalating and handling challenging situations involving staff and/or patrons.
• Scheduling for last minute/day of coverage needs.
• Interpreting ALD policies and procedures.
• Prioritizing daily work as needed.

20% PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH SUPPORT

• Provides programming support to Youth Librarian Core Team and Early Literacy Librarians at assigned location, may substitute for storytimes when needed.
• Develops and provides informal programming or activities in the children's area for children ages 5-12 and families.
• May develop and host scheduled programs for children ages 5-12 and families at assigned location.
• Promotes programs for children and families offered by Events, Youth Librarian Core Team, and Early Literacy Librarians.
• Supports Youth Librarian Core Team with elementary school outreach, primarily for back-to-school and end-of-year visits.
• Assists Youth Librarian Core Team and Early Literacy Librarians with school and other children's group visits to the library such as tours and other learning activities.

10% TRAINING AND MENTORING:

• Mentors staff by offering shadowing/consulting opportunities working with children and families.
• Develops the knowledge, skill and ability of staff by providing training, mentoring and shadowing in order expand their ability to serve children and families.
• May assist with district-wide youth focused training.

10% COLLECTION MANAGEMENT:

• Helps manage library materials collection in the children's area in collaboration with branch staff, serving as a resource and mentor for staff to share ideas and collection improvements.
• In collaboration with branch staff may merchandise library materials, create and maintain library displays in the children's area, including interactive displays, providing support and mentorship when needed.
• May collaborate with youth and teen collection librarian on projects and collection needs.
• Working with volunteers and Early Literacy Librarians, helps manage toys in the play area and maintain Family Place spaces.

10% PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Advances professional knowledge and networking through attending professional conferences and keeping up-to-date with the current professional trends in youth librarianship. Shares the knowledge with coworkers.
• Becomes Family Place trained and works as branch liaison with Early Literacy Librarians. Communicates with staff and patrons about the value of Family Place.
• Works closely with the Youth Librarian Services Team for professional development serving children ages 5-12.

Performs other related duties and may contribute to cross functional initiatives and projects as assigned and requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in the library and information studies field. Or minimum of one year library or related experience and ability to obtain a master's degree in the library and information studies field within three years from the start of the program. An application to the library school must be made within six months of the date of hire.
• Interest in working with, relating to, and guiding children ages 0-12 and the work of youth services.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of library and information science theory, information creation, organization, and delivery as it applies to libraries, including intellectual freedom.
• Ability to exhibit strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work with a remote team.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and to work independently under tight deadlines and prioritize various projects and requests.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with a variety of individuals with competing priorities.
• Ability to successfully work with varying demographics.
• Intermediate technology skills for Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Teams, and an ability to learn and apply new technologies.
• Ability to comfortably present information in a clear and engaging manner in dealing with customers and colleagues one-on-one or in groups, in both formal and informal settings.
• Speaking Spanish

Core Values of Collaboration, Equity and Innovation:

• Ability to promote inclusivity, embrace diverse perspectives and prioritize fairness to contribute to a culture of inclusion and respect.
• Demonstrated ability to foster open communication, mutual respect, problem solving, adaptability and constructive conflict resolution to promote a cohesive and innovative work environment that welcomes continuous learning.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Volunteer or work experience with youth.
• Experience with providing reference, technology and advisory services.

Work Environment: 

• The essential duties for this position are performed in an indoor office environment.
• Noise (computers, phones, printers and patron interactions).

• Ability to work in confined areas.
• Ability to travel to various facilities as needed.
• Ability to work varying shifts, including evenings and weekends.

Physical Activities:

Physical activities required to perform essential duties include:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position ​75-100%​ of the time.
• Must be able to move around ​50-75%​ of the time.
• Ability to lift up to ​40 lbs​.
• Ability to carry up to ​20 lbs​.
• Ability to push and pull a cart weighing up to ​75 lbs​.
• Ability to kneel, crouch, reach and stoop ​25%​ of the time.

This job description describes the general level of work being performed and is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties or aspects associated with the job, and may be amended anytime based on business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Inclusion and diversity are part of our values at Arapahoe Libraries.

Qualified applicants who represent the diversities of the communities we serve are encouraged to apply.