Head of Youth Services Librarian, Kingston Public Library (Kingston)
General Information:
This position is 35 hours per week with some evening and Saturday hours required. It is covered by the Town of Kingston Wage & Personnel Bylaw.
Essential Functions:
(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 work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
Manages and supervises the children’s department at the Kingston Public Library.
Writes and manages grants relating to children’s services.
Plans, organizes, directs and implements programs and activities for children at the library; plans and conducts programs to stimulate the use of the library; including reading clubs, book fairs, holiday events, book readings at schools, and other related programs for children and parents; plans and develops related public relations materials.
Provides reference and children’s services; provides reader advisory services for children, parents, teachers, and community and regional organizations; develops and maintains materials and collection for children.
Initiates, develops, and responds to specific requests for services for pre-school through intermediate school classes; advises teachers and/or group leaders on age-appropriate programs and projects.
Administers the Children’s Department budget. Develops and maintains collections in a variety of formats for children, families, parents, teachers, and students, requiring use of professional journals and standards, and a thorough knowledge of children’s materials, family relations, community resources, and child development.
Supervises and manages the children’s area of the library website. Keeps informed of web resources for children.
Actively integrates technology into children’s services. Attends workshops, webinars, conferences to keep abreast of appropriate emerging technologies. Keeps informed of current trends and developments affecting libraries and particularly in children’s librarianship.
Plans and oversees the physical condition and appearance of the children’s department, including book and bulletin board displays.
Assists, as needed, in the performance of all procedures relating to library services and library organization.
Represents the library at professional meetings, workshops, conferences and seminars. Participates in regional, state, and network committees.
Advises Library Director and Board of Trustees in the development of library policies and procedures, as related to the children’s department.
Performs similar or related work as required or as situation dictates.
Other duties as assigned by director.
Technology Services:
Researches and keeps current with trends in library technology.
Provides leadership in library outreach via technology and social media.
Works with Library Director and other staff to create, manage, and update technology plan. Maintains knowledge of network architecture.
Works on special projects as needed, such as migrating to new software and developing the staff intranet.
Manages use of web-enabled equipment such as cameras, smartboards, television, announcement display monitors.
Manages content for Technology service sections of library website; coordinates and manages website, acts as a primary contributor and designer for the library’s website.
Participates in long range planning process for the library, including recommending changes or improvements and develops new types of service and operations.
Definition:
Professional, supervisory, administrative and direct service work coordinating services, personnel, and other resources to provide a comprehensive program of public library services to children, young adults and adults working with children through materials collection and development, programming, outreach, and public relations for the Kingston Public Library; all other related work as required.
Supervision:
Works under the general direction of the Library Director.
Performs professional library functions of a responsible nature involving considerable judgment and initiative in designing programs, in developing the children’s collection, and in supervising children’s activities.
Supervises a variety of part-time and full-time employees and volunteers when they are assigned to the Children’s Room.
Supervisory Responsibility:
The employee, as a regular part of the job, is required to provide direction, and guidance to staff. Employee also performs non-supervisory work that is of the same kind and level as is done by the employee(s) being supervised. The employee is not responsible for taking any disciplinary action. Work operations may be subject to substantial cyclic or seasonal fluctuations, or substantial changes in work procedures, volume, or products, which are (or can be) reasonably anticipated and planned for in advance. Employees supervised work at the same location and the same work shift, a few may be dispersed to other locations.
Confidentiality:
In accordance with the State Public Records law, the employee has regular access to confidential information such as patron records.
Accountability:
Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, delay of library services, jeopardize programs, legal repercussions, missed deadlines and monetary loss.
Judgment:
The work requires the employee to examine, analyze and evaluate facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations, or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices, and precedents, which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting, and applying complex federal, state and local regulations.
Complexity:
The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact-finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.
Job Environment:
The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of a public library setting. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings, department sponsored special events, or in accordance with the library’s work schedule on weekends or on weekends.
Operates computer and other standard office and library equipment.
Has constant contact with children, the general public, schools, various organizations, human service agencies, etc.; also has contact with other town departments and community organizations.
Has frequent contact with colleagues in other libraries.
Errors could result in lower standards of library service, misuse of public funds and adverse public relations.
Nature and Purpose of Public Contact: The employee constantly interacts with co-workers, the public and external contacts such as vendors or community groups, K-12 school administration, teachers and parents to explain or interpret procedures or guidelines, plan or coordinate work, or resolve problems. More than ordinary courtesy, tact, and diplomacy are required to resolve complaints or deal with uncooperative persons.
Occupational Risk:
Duties of the job present little potential for injury to the employee. Risk exposure is similar to that found in a public library setting.
Statement of Duties:
The Head of Youth Services is responsible for the planning, coordinating and directing of the provision of library service work in providing a comprehensive program through collection development, programming, reference and readers advisory services and public relations for patrons of the library. The Head of Youth Services acts as a bridge liaison to the children and teen departments. The employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.
Professional, supervisory, administrative and direct service work in providing a comprehensive program of public library services with a focus on technology to youth birth to 11 and their families through collection development, programming, reference and readers advisory services, and public relations for the Kingston Public Library; performs professional library functions of a responsible nature involving considerable judgment and initiative in designing programs, developing the children’s collection, and in supervising children’s activities; access to sensitive patron information; maintain a high degree of confidentiality and patron trust; all other related work as required.
Physical Requirements:
(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)
Physical Demands:
Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with extended periods of bending, walking, kneeling, standing, twisting, and reaching with hands or arms to reach or to lift, carry or retrieve library materials or books. The employee is frequently required to lift, push, carry, or pull objects such as books, materials, library equipment, and computer paper.
Ability to climb ladders and otherwise access library collection required. Position requires the ability to operate a keyboard and computer peripherals.
Motor Skills:
Duties may involve assignments requiring the application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination. Examples include but are not limited to operating a personal computer or climbing a ladder to reach or retrieve books or materials.
Visual/Auditory Skills:
The employee is required to constantly read documents, personal computer screens and written reports for general understanding and routinely for analytical purposes. The employee must have the auditory ability to listen and comprehend. The employee is not regularly required to determine color differences. The employee, as a regular part of the job, is required to provide direction, and guidance to staff. Employee The employee is not regularly required to determine color differences.
Qualifications
Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited school with a concentration in Children’s Services; experience in children’s services highly desirable; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Familiarity with technology is highly desirable.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge:
Working knowledge of the principles and practices of professional library work specifically related to library services including reference tools, current events, topics, movies, CDs and authors popular with the public, cataloging, automated library systems and information technology including web sites and the Internet; knowledge of the organization and management of library including operations and emerging technologies in support of department operations and services such as the inter library loan system and the Internet. Knowledge of and interest in children’s books, new or controversial literature and media; basic familiarity with many fields of knowledge. Knowledge of the organization and management of library operations. Knowledge and skill in Readers Advisory services and familiarity with reference sources. Knowledge of office software, the Internet and various forms of social media in support of department operations.
Thorough knowledge of professional library principles, methods, material and practices specifically relating to services to children.
Knowledge and skill in readers advisory services.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to the special needs of children. Thorough knowledge of children’s literature; basic knowledge of child development.
Ability:
Ability to plan and develop creative programs and displays. Ability to handle numerous, diverse tasks at one time. Ability to interact positively with staff and the public, especially children and teenagers. Ability and interest in working with other staff and departments in cooperative approaches to service. Ability to relate well to the public and to organize programs. Ability to express self clearly both orally and in writing. Ability to use technology resources in children’s services. Ability to integrate emerging technologies into traditional children’s services. Ability to foster community awareness of the services available at the Kingston Public Library. Ability to work with schools, town departments, and other institutions.
Skills:
Proficient interpersonal, customer service and community outreach skills to interact with patrons of all ages; proficient oral and written communication skills; excellent organizational, analytical, listening and technology skills.
Full/Part Time
Full Time
Education
MLS/Masters
Salary Range
$62,527.00 - $81,286.00 / yearClosing Date
How to Apply
Application Procedure:
Qualified applicants should complete the Town of Kingston employment application found on the Town website under Employment and submit their résumé. Please include a cover letter with salary expectations. Application materials can be emailed to personnel@kingstonma.gov, mailed to the Town of Kingston Town House Attn: Human Resources, or hand delivered. Annual FY26 (July 2025), Grade 7 salary range is $62,527 - $81,286. There are 10 steps within the salary range. Hiring step is determined based on relative experience and internal equity.
The Town of Kingston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis and posting may close at any time.
POSTED October 2025
Posted
2025-10-08 | Quick link to this job