Youth Services Supervisor, Hopkinton Public Library (Hopkinton)
POSITION PURPOSE
Under the direction of the Library Director, the Youth Services Supervisor is responsible for providing administrative, professional, and supervisory work to ensure exceptional service to the children and teens of Hopkinton. Responsibilities include overseeing and leading the collection development of children’s and young adult materials, program planning and execution, community outreach and collaboration, department budget oversight, and supervision and evaluation of Youth Service staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Manages all aspects of the Children’s and Young Adult Departments.
Provides a vision for youth services in collaboration with the Director and develops a strategy to achieve that vision; stays abreast of developments and trends in youth services.
Works with parents, teachers, daycare providers, school librarians, other town departments, and non-profit organizations that work with youth to collaborate on and expand library services.
Evaluates and makes recommendations to the Director regarding Youth Services policies. Confers with the Library Director to determine departmental needs, assesses current programs, and proposes and implements changes for improved operations. Provides input relative to general library policies and procedures to improve overall operations. Anticipates problems and takes steps to devise and implement solutions.
Maintains contact with a diverse general public. Assists patrons in learning about library resources and services.
Engages in varying levels of contact with co-workers, town employees, Trustees, Friends of the Library, the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, and community organizations. Provides community outreach, forming relationships with community members and groups.
Attends workshops and conferences that enhance library skills relevant to this position. Participates in network and regional library committees, as time and schedule permit. Represents the Library at appropriate professional meetings and conferences as requested.
In collaboration with the Children’s Librarian and the Young Adult Librarian, manages the selection, weeding, and collection development of all print and non-print resources within the division, which may include books, standing orders, databases, and specialized collections, including the Library of Things. Reads professional literature and reviews.
Reports to the Director on fulfillment of divisional objectives. Provides interpretation of the Library Materials Selection Policy; enforces library regulations. Refers patrons to other divisions, individuals, or service agencies as appropriate.
Works with the Library Director to identify and execute special projects that may include designing and conducting surveys and writing and administering grants.
Delegates and assigns duties within the division as required. Under the guidance of the Library Director, develops annual goals and objectives for the division and divisional personnel. Supervises other youth services staff and volunteers.
Regularly provides desk coverage of the Young Adult and Children's departments service desks. Provides information, readers’ advisory, and research assistance to youth, their parents, and caregivers in direct consultation or via telephone, email, instant messaging, and other emerging technologies.
Attends staff meetings and division head meetings, develops and conducts staff meetings for own division; participates in activities and task forces related to the automated network.
Responsible for scheduled routine evening and weekend coverage of a variety of library public service desks. Routinely functions as daily, evening, or weekend building supervisor, having first-response responsibility for the staff, facility, and the public.
Monitors expenditures. Other duties as assigned, including preservation, clerical, and shelving tasks as needed.
SUPERVISION
Works under the general supervision of the Library Director. Responsible for the supervision of the Children’s Librarian, Young Adult Librarian, Library Assistants, and volunteers. Functions independently with work requested and/or directed by the Library Director, referring problems only when clarification or interpretation of policy or procedure is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed under typical office and library conditions, subject to frequent interruptions to respond to requests for service. Regular schedule requires evening and weekend hours and attendance at meetings or classes outside of the library setting. The employee operates standard office and library equipment. Performance of duties requires ongoing contact with library patrons, educational and community organizations, vendors, and computer support technicians. Contacts are in person, in writing and by telephone and involve an information exchange dialogue.
Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program and three (3) to five (5) years of progressive supervisory experience in a public library setting, with a primary focus on youth services; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Knowledge of automated library systems and experience with Evergreen preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILL
Knowledge of public library principles, practices, policies, and procedures, including extensive knowledge of customer service best practices, automated library systems, and other library-related software. Proficiency with information technology. Knowledge of reference sources and the organization and management of library reference operations. Knowledge, training, and ability in advanced library procedures, including online information research.
Ability to plan, problem solve, and make decisions in varying circumstances to address complaints and resolve problems, including interpretation of library policy. Ability to interact tactfully and appropriately with library patrons and staff; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to establish positive public relations; ability to work independently while exercising judgment; ability to learn new computer operations and related library databases; ability to troubleshoot computers and other library equipment.
Skill in management, planning, and supervisory skills, including the ability to function well as part of a management team that supports the overall goals of the library, as formulated by the Trustees, Town Manager, and Library Director. Computer skills that encompass effective use of word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, social media, and library software.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Employee is regularly required to walk, stand, sit, speak, and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls. Able to reach with hands and arms as in picking up paper, files, and other common office objects. Employee may be required to stoop, bend, and lift or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Vision and hearing at or correctable to normal ranges; requires the ability to read documents and use a computer.
Full/Part Time
Full Time
Education
MLS/Masters
Salary Range
$72,259.20 - $86,715.20 / year
Salary Notes
Anticipated hiring range: $72,259.20 - $86,715.20 Full salary range: $72,259.20 - $101,171.20 Dependent on qualifications.
Closing Date
How to Apply
Internal and External Applicants: To be considered for first priority review, please submit a completed Application for Employment, cover letter, and resume by 4:00 PM on Friday, August 14, 2026. Applications received after this date will be reviewed as received and the position will remain open until filled.
Individuals who may need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources at hr@hopkintonma.gov.
https://groups.google.com/a/hopkintonma.gov/g/jobs
Posted
2026-08-02