Job Description
The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the City & County of Denver. DPL sees more than 4 million visitors every year across its 27 locations, serves Denver’s most vulnerable communities through outreach and mobile services, hosts impactful programs throughout the year and manages a collection of more than 1.4 million physical and digital materials. We believe a strong library is vital for a strong community. DPL is committed to serving the evolving needs of Denverites through inspired programming, diverse collections, culturally-representative spaces and equitable policies & procedures.
The Park Hill Library is a bustling location that has won the heart of this engaged neighborhood. This historic Carnegie library branch has served the Park Hill community for over 100 years and is beloved for its charm and history of community support.
DPL is hiring a Librarian with a focus on services for Older Adults at the Park Hill Branch. In this position, most of your time will be spent at the public service desk assisting customers with questions, providing resources, offering readers advisory, and helping navigate technology. You will also collaborate with colleagues to develop and maintain high quality programming and services for customers of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus and passion toward working with Older Adults. Building and maintaining community relationships through outreach and dedication to regular partnerships with senior living sites, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and organizations that support people aging in place, will be another area for you to shine. You will foster relationships with colleagues throughout DPL and participate in relevant library committee work. The support that you will provide to other library functions as needed will resonate with the teamwork that we all demonstrate.
Interested candidates must demonstrate a commitment to developing and maintaining a welcoming environment for all, and especially for older adults (people age 50+) that embraces a positive aging approach and developing and facilitating programs and services that meet the social, emotional, and developmental needs of people as they age. These programs and services will be based on the latest research about the neuroplasticity of the brain and the developmental stages of aging. You might also assist in training other library staff on issues relating to aging.
Our ideal candidate has:
- Excellent customer service skills, including the capability to provide equitable, trauma informed and empathetic customer service drawn from lived experiences and knowledge of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion concepts and practices.
- Knowledge and experience in developing and presenting programs for Older Adults.
- Skill in providing reference, readers and media advisory services to all ages.
- Ability to adapt to the changing nature of librarianship, and to evolve to match community needs.
- Ability to balance local needs with system-wide perspectives, focusing on the Greater Park Hill neighborhood, and also serving the Denver community.
- Innovation and flexibility when working in a team environment.
- A positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor while working with customers, coworkers and community.
- Ability to use workplace technology effectively including email, calendar, internet, databases, video conferencing, eMedia, social media and other software.
- Ability to confidently present and provide library services and technology to customers with varying levels of experience and knowledge.
- A strong desire to create and maintain positive relationships with customers, staff and the community both in the branch and at outreach events.
- A rooted desire to work with older adults balanced with firm boundaries and patience.
- An enthusiasm for sharing information about the library through articles in the community paper, blog posts, and in person outreach.
- Experience working with older adults and/or with folks with dementia/Alzheimer's is desired, but not required.
We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum qualifications will be considered:
- A Master's in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution or plans to receive one within 90 days of hire.
Other things to know:
- City Employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All persons offered a position will be required to provide valid proof of vaccination prior to starting employment.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
The City and County of Denver benefits package will be offered. Although the full salary range is provided, we anticipate offers will fall between $50,000 and $57,000 per year.
Additional Info & Requirements
We anticipate this posting will close on February 4, 2022. Please submit an application at your earliest convenience in order to be considered.