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 thousands of programs a 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 Ross-University Hills Branch Library is a very busy community library that provides services to the University Hills, Wellshire, and surrounding neighborhoods. We are located in southeast Denver, nestled between two bustling shopping centers, including two large grocery stores. We are a popular stop for shoppers running errands, and one of the busiest branches at DPL. The branch is frequently visited by the many older adults who live in our area, as well as young children and their caregivers. The successful candidate should have great customer service, great communication skills, and the ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds in a singular point. They will work daily toward demonstrating the library’s values of welcoming, curiosity, connection, equity, and stewardship.
The Ross-University Hills Branch Library is hiring a Librarian to deliver library services and programs to all of our customers, including children of all ages. You will create positive experiences and relationships while providing reference, readers/media advisory, and technology assistance while staffing the public service desk. You will collaborate with colleagues to foster curiosity, learning, and joy by coordinating and providing programs that will enrich the lives of our customers. We are looking for a candidate with a passion for early learning and working with children, from babies to teens. Other library duties will be assigned as needed.
We are looking for someone who:
- Fosters relationships and networks with colleagues throughout DPL, exhibiting an equity-driven approach to team dynamics.
- Appreciates colleagues’ strengths and contributions.
- Contributes to a resilient and flexible team by understanding and demonstrating the link between individual contributions and the larger objectives of the library.
- Occasionally acts as a Person-In-Charge while branch supervisors are not available.
- Designs engaging displays and participates in merchandising of the entire collection.
- Participates in relevant library committee work by leading meetings or contributing as a member.
- Communicates effectively about issues and initiatives with customers, staff, and administration.
- Is comfortable developing and providing programming for the public.
- Participates in collection management.
- Collaborates well with colleagues to ensure high-quality customer service, programming and outreach.
- Thrives working at busy public service desks, assisting customers with their questions, locating resources, providing advisory services, and helping customers navigate technology.
- Is comfortable in a public-facing role 75% of the time.
- Possesses integrity, and a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.
- Provides superior trauma-informed customer service.
- Demonstrates passion for the Denver Public Library and librarianship, in general.
- Supports other library functions as needed.
About You
Our ideal candidate has:
- Excellent customer service skills.
- A high level of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
- Ability to translate demographic and other information in order to understand the surrounding community.
- Capability to provide equitable and empathetic customer service drawn from lived experiences and knowledge of EDI concepts and practices.
- Experience with early learning strategies, and a desire to create and deliver storytimes for babies and their caregivers.
- Commitment to developing and maintaining a welcoming environment for young people, including babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grade schoolers, and teens.
- Knowledge of publishing trends.
- Knowledge of presenting and providing library services to customers with varying levels of experience and knowledge.
- Skill in using and assisting customers with technology, including public computers, personal devices, and the library’s eBook collection.
- Skill in creating eye-catching displays and merchandising library materials.
- Skill in providing reference, readers and media advisory service to customers of all ages.
- Ability to thrive working in an environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups.
- Ability to demonstrate positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor in working with customers, coworkers and community.
- Ability to creatively solve problems and negotiate stressful situations in a positive manner.
- Ability to prioritize, as well as to change direction and adjust plans when needed.
- Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility.
- Ability to use workplace technology effectively including email, calendar, internet, databases, video conferencing, eMedia, social media, and other software.
- Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with customers, staff and the community.
We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements 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:
- The schedule for this position is dependent on the needs of the branch, which is currently open Tuesdays through Saturdays only.
We anticipate this posting will close April 22, 2022. Please submit an application at your earliest convenience in order to be considered.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
The City and County of Denver benefits package will be offered. While the full salary range is provided, we anticipate offers will fall between $49,605 and $57,666 per year.