Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library; Portland, Oregon

YOUTH LIBRARIAN (African and African-American communities focused)
Salary: $24.29 to $29.89 per hour
Deadline to apply: September 30, 2011

Multnomah County Library (MCL) is seeking candidates for the position of Youth Librarian at the Midland Library. This position will focus on the need for specific outreach and program development targeted to attract those in the African and African-American communities.

Youth Librarians assist all patrons with a special emphasis on serving youth (birth through age 18), and families and organizations that work with youth. This position will also focus on attracting those in the African and African American community who may be still unaware of the services offered by the library.

This position performs the vital tasks of matching patrons’ personal, educational and recreational needs with appropriate information and resources, and fostering literacy in youth and families. Successful candidates will have excellent interpersonal, organizational, leadership and communication skills to help the library develop innovative services for the 21st century. The best candidates will be able to provide culturally appropriate services to youth and families, particularly in the African and African-American communities, in addition to serving all patrons.

No experience is required; however, two years of professional youth librarian experience is desirable. Experience planning, preparing and implementing culturally sensitive programs (including storytimes) that are of interest to children, young adults, caregivers and adults working with children is preferred. Qualified applicant must be knowledgeable about and have extensive experience working with the African and African American communities, demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served.

Qualified applicants must have:
Knowledge about and understanding of theories of child and adolescent learning and development and their implications for library service from birth to high school.
Experience with current and retrospective children’s and young adult literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, websites, electronic media and other materials that constitute a diverse and relevant youth collection.
Strong cultural sensitivity and competency abilities.

All applicants must have or be within three months of receiving an ALA accredited master's degree in library science. Experience cannot substitute for the degree requirement for Librarian positions.

To learn more about this position or to apply, please visit our website at www.multcojobs.org