Job Description
About Our Job
The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the residents of 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.
For more information, go to denverlibrary.org. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
DPL is hiring a Librarian for Woodbury Branch Library. In this position, you will serve the community through programming, reference, technology assistance, readers’ advisory, and front line customer service. You will foster curiosity through the exploration of recreational and educational resources for all audiences in multiple formats. You can expect to challenge inequity by creating welcoming spaces that foster belonging for all, and by providing technology resources and assistance. Additionally, as a DPL employee you will strengthen connections among staff and community by gathering together to discover creative ways to serve the community. You’ll be expected to honor the public trust by providing the highest level of service and equitable access to reliable information resources on a variety of topics, including the full scope of library services. This position does not have any direct reports though it may occasionally entail being the person in charge or guiding other staff in the absence of management.
Interested candidates must demonstrate a commitment to developing and maintaining a welcoming environment for older adults (people age 50+) that embraces a positive aging approach. This includes being welcoming to people with physical and cognitive challenges, caregivers, and companions.
We are looking for someone who will develop and facilitate fun and enriching programs and services to 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 adulthood and aging.
Developing, planning, promoting and implementing culturally inclusive and responsive programming for youth, teens, adults, older adults.
You will need knowledge of collection maintenance practices and a willingness to regularly audit and update branch or department’s collection for all audiences as well as create captivating displays.
We’re looking for someone to plan fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate early learning programming for children from birth to kindergarten and their adult caregivers. Programming will implement Every Child Ready to Read practices and books and materials that represent a diverse range of characters, identities and experiences.
The ideal candidate will be able to meet customers where they are with a compassionate and trauma informed lens in particular teens, people experiencing homelessness, and older adults.
Provide a high level of customer service while assisting in circulation tasks in a busy environment with consistent public exposure.
You will also need to be able to approach challenging situations with empathy, compassion and informed judgment while keeping in mind library use policies and safety of all customers and staff.
We ask that you be willing to take the library outside of its walls by performing outreach activities in the community.
You can expect to work the hours the branch is open including evenings and weekends.
Our ideal candidate has:
Ability to empower and support youth and families in their own learning and development.
Knowledge of children's and young adult literature, publishing trends, and popular media (Librarian).
Ability to provide equitable and inclusive support for youth and families looking for readers advisory OR information, books, and media.
Knowledge of physical and social-emotional development of children birth-5 yrs old, 5 yrs old-12 yrs old, and/or adolescents 12-18 yrs old.
Provide high-quality, research-based enrichment and learning experiences for children birth-12 yrs old.
Ability to demonstrate responsiveness and flexibility through programs and/or outreach that reflect the needs and voice of the community including schools and community organizations.
Ability to support youth and families as they navigate technology for enjoyment and information.
Ability to collaborate with staff across the system to grow opportunities for youth and families across Denver that reflect their interests, respond to their needs and meet them where they are.
Knowledge of the core values of librarianship, including: intellectual freedom, privacy, democracy, diversity, sustainability, serving the public good, access to information for all, and library advocacy.
Lived experience within the Potter Highlands community and/or the community-building skills to build strong ties with the customers and organizations within it.
Skill in providing information to a vastly diverse audience, leading with cultural humility.
Ability to create and implement innovative services that sparks curiosity.
Experience with reference services, programming, trauma informed practices, and customer service.
A demonstrated commitment to developing and maintaining a welcoming environment for young people, including babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grade schoolers, and teens.
Interested candidates must demonstrate a commitment to developing and maintaining a welcoming environment for age groups that form part of DPL’s priority populations, including babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grade-schoolers, teens, and vulnerable youth.
Ability to thrive in an environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups.
Lived experience and/or professional experience working with customers of diverse ages with varying life experiences and English language proficiency
Minimum Requirements:
Education Requirement: Master’s Degree in Library Science.
Experience Requirement: One (1) year of experience solving problems and providing customer service to business or public clients.
Education and Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.
Spanish language fluency strongly preferred (Not Required).
Additional Requirements:
Please include a cover letter and 3 professional references with your application in order to be considered.
Starting Pay
$50,647 - $58,877
Assessment Requirement
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
The Community
About Our Branch
The Woodbury Branch Library is in the heart of the Highlands neighborhood and in front of Highland Park. The building is a beautiful Carnegie building. We serve a diverse population with a mix of technology and programming needs. We provide a judgment free atmosphere where great teamwork is an integral part of who we are.