We have a great career opportunity available for a Youth Services Consultant in our Columbia, South Carolina headquarters.
Under the general supervision of the Director of Library Development. The Youth Services Consultant provides comprehensive consulting services and programs in the areas of service to children, youth, and families, literacy initiatives, and similar specialized areas offering direction, assistance, counsel, oversight, and training to the public libraries to facilitate high quality services for children and families. This position works independently and as part of the Library Development team to encourage best practices in public library management, programs, and operations. Consultants conduct site visits to libraries to observe, assess, advise, and train on a broad range of library practices and procedures. Each consultant serves as a resource for public libraries and for the South Carolina State Library, and contributes significantly to the overall work of the agency.
This position requires competency in all aspects of public library children’s services, with an interest in and openness to innovation and the ability to work with public library staff to bring about needed change and implement best practices in delivery of children’s and youth services.
- Develop a strategy to discover, analyze and respond to training and continuing education needs among youth and young adult services library staff in the state. These may include exchanges, mini-conferences, classes, and ongoing trainings both virtual and in person.
- Create complete training program for new youth and young adult services librarians/library staff.
- Integrate State Library resources and activities into partnerships with state and national level groups/organizations. Identify potential partners and develop programs and relationships on which local libraries can build for mutual benefit.
- Coordinate the state’s summer reading program. Serve as the State Representative for the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) and support youth services staff working on summer reading and learning programming. Serve as lead trainer for related software and assist in training of youth and young adult services staff in outcome-based evaluation for summer reading and learning programs.
- Coordinate the print and online youth, young adult, and literacy related materials including brochures, bookmarks, Day by Day literacy calendar and website, providing updated content so they remain current, and arranging for distribution.
- Mentor youth and young adult services staff on a variety of youth specific topics. Model meaningful learning and teaching which results in seamless advocacy for school librarians and public librarians and library services for youth. Some examples include: Early Literacy, Importance of Play, Social and Emotional Learning, Reaching Underserved audiences, STEM in young audiences, Multilanguage/multicultural programming, and Every Child Ready to Read training. For teens, some examples include: Social/Emotional learning, STEM, Makerspaces, passive programs, outreach to underserved teens, and transient teen populations.
- Consult with public library trustees, directors, and staff on all aspects of services to children and youth.
- Serve as SCSL’s liaison to identified children’s and youth services initiatives and forums at the state and national level; represent South Carolina’s values and positions in regard to children’s and youth library services. Act as a liaison between school and public libraries for the coordination of services and furthering collaborative projects and efficiencies.
- Engage in field work to better assess conditions in public libraries, and create strong relationships with other service providers. Collaborate with other agencies, organizations, and school libraries to assess the reading and literacy needs of South Carolina families and children, and ensure the provision of responsive library services. Serve as an advocate and spokesperson for children and youth audiences at each opportunity.
- Undertake all reporting, financial and other paperwork and documentation necessary for the completion of the position responsibilities. Advise State Library administrators on needed services and resources for youth, actively work to support agency goals. Provide direction, assistance, advice, and counsel to and oversight of public and other libraries as part of the State Library’s mission to provide training and development, information resources, and services to the public libraries in the state and their stakeholders.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
- A masters’ degree in library science from an ALA accredited college or university
- Five (5) years of professional public library experience
- Three (3) years of experience as a library youth services professional
Preferred Qualifications
- Five (5) years of experience with outreach, planning programs, and providing services to diverse populations.
- Familiar with public library audiences, services, facilities, general trends and current issues, especially in small to medium sized rural communities.
- Awareness of age-related, cultural, social, racial, ethnic, and economic conditions that may impede access to library resources and services.
- Ability to create program interest by using various social media platforms and general understanding of marketing and publicity for programs.
- Knowledge of library management and information services, the principles, practices, and policies of youth services in libraries.
- Knowledge and familiarity with current issues involving youth and young adults in library, education, and out of school time settings; knowledge of trends and techniques in planning, managing, and evaluating youth services.
- Knowledge of the principles of Outcome Based Evaluation measurements.
- Knowledge of principles of literacy development in families and at various stages of childhood.
- Ability to conduct research, plan, and conduct programs and training.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and plan and conduct instructional events and presentations on a variety of topics.
- Ability to work in teams internally and externally.
- Ability to work independently and use judgement.
- Ability to travel.
SCSL is committed to providing our employees with a collaborative and inclusive work environment that provides challenging work, personal and professional growth, and a work/life balance.
In addition to all the great perks we’ve already shared, we also offer:
- Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, and more
- 15 days of annual leave per year
- 15 days of sick leave per year
- 13 paid holidays
- Team Building Activities – We believe in growing together
Don’t miss this great opportunity to take your career to the next level! Apply today.
As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age (over 40), sex, including pregnancy and childbirth (or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
