Job Details

Youth Services Librarian, Lawrence Public Library (Lawrence)

Position Overview

The Youth Services Librarian is responsible for the leadership, planning, development, and delivery of comprehensive library services for children, tweens, teens, and families. This position oversees both the Children’s and Young Adult Departments and provides strategic direction, supervision, and support to department liaisons/coordinators and assigned staff. The Youth Services Librarian ensures the delivery of inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate services across youth age groups through reader’s advisory, reference services, collection management, literacy-based and enrichment programming, and strong school and community partnerships. This role emphasizes continuity of service across age ranges and alignment with the library’s mission, strategic goals, and community needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight of the Children’s and Young Adult Departments, ensuring coordinated, cohesive youth services.
Supervise, support, and collaborate with department liaisons/coordinators and assigned staff, fostering clear communication, accountability, and professional growth.
Coordinate services and programming across youth age groups to support smooth transitions from early childhood through adolescence.
Contribute to departmental planning, goal setting, scheduling, and evaluation in alignment with library administration.
Plan, develop, and evaluate a wide range of programs for children, tweens, teens, and families, including storytimes, book clubs, literacy initiatives, STEAM activities, and teen engagement programs.
Ensure programming reflects community interests, cultural diversity, and best practices in youth development and literacy.
Support department liaisons/coordinators in program development and execution.
Provide reference and reader’s advisory services to youth, parents, caregivers, and educators.
Oversee the selection, maintenance, and weeding of Children’s and Young Adult collections to ensure relevance, diversity, inclusivity, and appeal.
Guide collection development practices across youth departments and support staff in collection evaluation.
Develop and maintain partnerships with schools, childcare providers, youth-serving organizations, and community groups to promote literacy and library services.
Serve as a primary liaison between the library and organizations serving children, teens, and families.
Represent the library at outreach events and community meetings as needed.
Ensure Children’s and Young Adult spaces are welcoming, safe, and engaging environments.
Curate displays, reading lists, and thematic materials across youth areas to highlight collections and programming.
Collaborate with other department heads to support cross-departmental initiatives and family-centered services.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS), or be actively enrolled with the ability to complete all degree requirements within one (1) year from the date of hire. • Knowledge of children’s literature and child development principles. • Experience planning programs for children. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Education

MLS/Masters

Salary

$28.29  / hour

Salary Notes

Union Position; 2.5% increase every year until last step (5 Steps)

Closing Date

Open until filled

How to Apply

To apply for the position, please submit your application online via the City of Lawrence website; https://www.cityoflawrence.com/Jobs.aspx All applications must be received by the City's Personnel Department before they reach Library Administration.  

Posted

2026-04-30 |  Quick link to this job