The City of Richmond Community Services, Library - Division of Customer Service is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Library Associate at the North Avenue Branch Library. This class coordinates programs and services for users and staff of the City Library. 

Work may include:

• Planning, developing, and implementing special library activities and programs.
• Executing the City Library's strategic plan, including providing programs for children, young adults, and special needs groups.
• Facilitating, marketing, and promoting special programs.
• Preparing and updating library web content.
• Assisting patrons with locating materials in the computer or catalog and with physically locating materials or equipment.
• Supporting circulation functions and assisting with special projects or other library programs.
• Performing circulation duties and conducting outreach.
• Representing the library at various community events.
• Writing various reviews, reports, and other documents.
• Attending various meetings, including staff meetings.
• Training staff as needed.

Teleworking: Teleworking options will not be granted for this position during the first year of employment.

Essential Personnel: This position is considered an Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, or inclement weather.

Qualifications, Special Certifications, and Licenses:

• Considerable knowledge of routine library functions, policies, practices, classification systems (such as the Dewey Decimal System), and circulation functions.
• Greater emphasis on children's developmental stages, STEAM activities, computer programs (such as Microsoft Office Suite), integrated library systems, electronic databases, and related software applications.
• Strong mastery of English composition, spelling, and grammar.
• General knowledge of current and classic literature, especially children's genre, and overall subjects held by the library.
• Skills in excellent customer service, assisting patrons, and communicating with various internal and external departments.
• Ability to work with youth (pre-school to middle school), perform and keep children's attention, and market and promote special programs.
• Planning, coordinating, developing, implementing, and facilitating special activities and programs.
• Preparing announcements and updating library website and social media communications.
• Researching and keeping current on early literature best practices.
• Teaching, reading stories to children, and troubleshooting youth challenges.
• Using various office equipment such as computers, printers, laminators, etc.
• Writing, creating, and editing various reports, story scripts, and other documents.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Interest in library culture as learning environments for all levels, working with children and adults with a wide range of abilities, serving the public, and speaking publicly.

Minimum Training and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in library science, literature, education, information systems, or related field.
• Master’s degree in library science from an ALA accredited library school is preferred.
• Two years of public library experience.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.