Youth Services Librarian

The Burlington Public Library of Burlington, Wisconsin is seeking a personable, energetic, creative, and community focused candidate for the full-time position of Youth Services Librarian.  A successful candidate will be visionary, skilled at relationship building, knowledgeable of children’s literature and programming, have strong computer skills, and enjoy working in a fast paced and changing environment.  Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience working with children and libraries. This is a full-time position with varied work hours including some required evenings and weekends, and includes a full benefits package.   The Burlington Public Library serves the Burlington community in Racine, Walworth, and Kenosha counties, with a total service population of 19,500.  The library is a member of the Prairie Lakes Library System and the SHARE Consortium. The library is currently undergoing a $6.2 million renovation and expansion, and is temporarily operating in the City Hall building until Autumn 2027. Please see the full position description below.  More information on the library can be found at www.burlingtonlibrary.org. If you have any questions about the position, please contact Library Assistant Director Tricia Cox at [email protected]. Please submit complete application, including resume, cover letter, and references, by 9am on Friday, November 6, 2026. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Plans, organizes, presents, and evaluates library services and programs for children, young adults, their families, and caregivers with consideration of child development practices, inclusion, and literacy development techniques. Programming examples include preschool story times, book clubs, STEAM programs, outreach to local daycare facilities, schools and organizations, the Summer Reading Program, virtual programming, and passive programming. - Recommend items for addition to or withdrawal from the library collection to the selector for that area. Assists with collection maintenance activities as directed. - Provides in-depth reference and reader's advisory service to children and young adults and their families in multiple formats. Maintain confidentiality in all interactions and communications with patrons. - Maintains working relationships with school librarians at both public and parochial schools. Conducts library tours and class visits at the library. Provides services and visits to schools, as the library schedule allows. - Understands and utilizes current educational practices related to literacy in all library services. - Creates and maintains a library environment that is clean, age appropriate and provides the best possible access to materials and resources for all children, their families, and caregivers. - Instructs and supports children in the physical and digital use of library tools and resources, information gathering and research skills. - Models’ customer service with children, their families and caregivers that is culturally respectful and developmentally appropriate. - Promotes children's services through flyers, news releases, social media and other types of publicity. - Compiles statistical information regarding children's services. - Advises the library director or assistant director in regard to policies and procedures related to children’s services; writes reports and recommendations; implements decisions. Maintains a high degree of communication with the library director regarding developments affecting the department. - Delegates responsible appropriately and cultivates collaboration effectively. - Serves on professional and library system committees as assigned by the director. - Performs other related work as assigned by the director or assistant director. - Proposes, plans and writes grants including LSTA and private grants. - Covers reference desk hours, including regular evenings, weekends and holidays.     DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience: - Master's degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited institution is desired. (Graduate students currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited program may be considered.) Coursework with an emphasis on materials and services to children and young adults is desired. - One to two years' experience in a public library setting is desired. - Familiarity with library databases and electronic resources is required. Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Ability to work well with and relate to patrons of all ages, especially youth and their family and caregivers.  - Ability to plan, organize, and carry out a program of library services for children and young adults. - Ability to provide services to diverse users. - Knowledge and understanding of basic library principles, procedures, and technology. - Thorough knowledge of literature for children and young adults. Knowledge and understanding of goals and philosophy of children's services. - Use budgeted funds and materials effectively and efficiently. - Ability to communicate positively and effectively with the staff and the public. - Ability to gather statistics, analyze information and prepare reports. - Willingness to maintain skills in above areas through active participation in continuing education and networking through professional organizations. - Excellent level of English oral and written skills. - Ability to use office technology including, but not limited to: Integrated library systems, email, Internet, current digital devices and software, Microsoft Office, Canva Graphic Design Platform, iOS and Android Platforms and devices. - Ability to work as a member of a team of professionals. - Ability to use technology effectively in all duties, especially in providing reference services and creating publicity. - Ability to be Librarian-in-Charge when assigned.     SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: - Possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver’s license is required. - Flexibility with hours; occasionally evening, weekend, and holiday hours.     TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: - Proven ability to use office technology including, but not limited to: Sirsi Dynix integrated library software, email, the Internet, Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office, Gmail, Google Drive, Adobe Software Suite, print management software, Canva graphic design platform, personal electronic devices including iPad, Kindle, iPhone, and Android smartphones, social media accounts, and new technology as introduced and/or adopted. - Skill in the operation of the following tools and equipment: photocopier, printer, scanner, calculator, book truck, fax machine, audiovisual equipment, telephone, postage machine, and new equipment as introduced and/or adopted.     PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation, where possible, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to reach and feel books or operate equipment and reach with hands and arms. - Using hands to finger, handle or touch books, write, file, sort, shelve, keyboard, and process. - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials and manipulating items. - The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, climb, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, twist, and balance using legs and feet. - The ability to exert muscle force to lift, push, pull or carry furniture for room set-up. - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without ‘giving out’ or fatiguing. - Ability to talk and hear; use of the telephone. - Close vision and distance vision are required. - The employee frequently is required to lift and reach books above the shoulders. - The employee must frequently lift or carry up to 50 pounds safely. - The employee must occasionally push or pull: objects weighing 60-80 pounds.  - Mobility: travel to meetings outside of the library   Mental Demands: - Analytical skills: identify problems and opportunities; review possible alternative courses of action before selecting one; utilize information resources available when making decisions. - Problem-solving skills: develop feasible, realistic solutions to problems; recommend and implement actions designed to prevent problems from occurring. - Planning and Organizational skills: develop long-range plans to solve complex problems or take advantage of opportunities; establish systematic methods of accomplishing goals. - Communication skills: effectively communicate ideas and information both in written and oral form. - Reading ability: effectively read and understand information contained in memoranda, reports, technical manuals, and bulletins.               - Creative decision-making: effectively evaluate or make independent decisions based upon experience, knowledge or training. - Mathematical ability: calculate basic arithmetic problems (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) without the aid of a calculator. - Time management: set priorities in order to meet assignment deadlines. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation, where possible, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an indoor library environment with a large volume of public interaction. Occasionally, work is performed in outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Employees will be exposed to dust. The City of Burlington is an equal opportunity employer and drug free workplace.