Hybrid Librarian I/II- Children's Librarian presso Central Marin Local Governments, CA

About the Department

       Plus an excellent benefits package

Join us in creating a welcoming and inspiring library experience in Larkspur!

The Larkspur Library is seeking a dynamic and creative Librarian with a focus on Children and Families to join our dedicated team. This is a unique opportunity to work in a small, welcoming library environment that values strong community connections, excellent public service, and a collaborative spirit.

As the library prepares for a new state-of-the-art facility set to open in April 2026, we are seeking an individual eager to shape the future of children’s services in Larkspur, including developing a vibrant opening-day collection and organizing the new Children’s Room.

About the Position

Under the direction of the Library Director, the Librarian performs a wide range of professional library duties, including public service, programming, collection development, and technical services. 

This position will lead the Library’s Children’s Services, including:

• Planning and leading children’s programs, including regular storytimes
• Developing and maintaining the children’s collection
• Building relationships with families, schools and community partners
• Providing public service at the service desk to patrons of all ages
• Leading efforts to establish the Children’s Room in the new Larkspur Library (projected opening: April 2026)
• Creating an opening day children’s collection and long-term programming plan

While the focus of this role is on children and families, the ideal candidate is flexible and willing to assist with services across all age groups, as needed as part of a small team environment. 

A full job description of the Librarian I/II can be found at www.cityoflarkspur.org/humanresources. 

Candidates are encouraged to apply at the Librarian I and Librarian II level commensurate with experience. 

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (May include but are not limited to the following:)

• Develop, implement and evaluate services and programs in a designated area such as Children’s, Young Readers or Adult Services.
• Provide public information and readers' advisory services, instruct patrons in the use of library resources, tools, equipment, and print and electronic reference sources, including reference materials, digital resources, databases, catalogs and other online resources.
• Assist users on public access computers and personal devices in learning basic technology and device skills and methods of accessing digital information and library services.
• Perform bibliographic searches using both print and non-print sources.
• Maintain and troubleshoot electronic and online resources.
• Teach digital literacy, including to outreach community patrons and create supporting patron handouts and guides.
• Work with the Community Services Director on assessing emerging technologies and electronic services, implementing new services where appropriate.
• Work with the Community Services Director to develop library-wide policies and procedures aligned with the mission and goals of the Larkspur Library and City, and communicate these policies and procedures to staff and library patrons.
• Respond to and resolve difficult, complex and sensitive patron complaints and inquiries.
• Provide training to other library staff as needed.
• Under the direction of the Community Services Director, coordinate, market and implement programs for adults, youth and families, prepare and distribute public relations and informational materials relative to the activities of the library.
• Under the direction of the Community Services Director, perform outreach to the community, community organizations, and schools, inform community members and organizations about library services, programs and collections.
• Under the direction of the Community Services Director, prepare publicity and informational materials including displays and exhibits, flyers, posters, brochures, blogs, web pages, bibliographies and webliographies.
• Review new publications and collection materials and select materials and resources for acquisition or disposition as appropriate. Select materials and collaborate with the Collection Development team to provide relevant collections based on knowledge of community and/or target audience interests. Interact with vendors to obtain library collection materials.
• Perform regular Integrated Library System database maintenance to ensure that all records are accurate and updated.
• Create and maintain assigned statistical and operational reports and compile relevant data.
• Organize, maintain and catalog/index a variety of print and digital materials.
• Perform original cataloging of print and non-print materials and maintain and update catalog files.
• Process interlibrary loan requests.
• Alone or with other staff members, process new materials.
• Troubleshoot and resolve a variety of issues related to acquisitions, circulation and reference.
• Respond to suggestions, requests or concerns from library users or community members.
• Demonstrate the value of the Larkspur Library and library services in the community and represent Larkspur Library on MARINet’s working groups, as assigned.
• Participate in meetings, committees or projects intended to enhance services or promote consistent policies and procedures across the department, as assigned.
• Participate in professional development and training. Perform special reading and research to remain abreast of current literature and professional trends.
• Create and update website content. May serve as Library Website Lead, coordinating the design and maintenance of the library website.
• Participate in the selection of library staff and volunteers, when assigned.
• Plan and conduct community and staff meetings and work groups, when assigned.
• Coordinate with the Community Services Director on budgetary needs and expenditures. Analyze needs for staff, equipment and other resources and prepare associated reports and documents.
• Work on special projects assigned by the Community Services Director.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends in technology, reference services and librarianship.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of

• Current professional library best practices and of procedures, methods and techniques of reference, research, collection development, classification, indexing, cataloging and organization of library materials.
• The principles, practices and techniques of public relations, community outreach and service promotion.
• The principles, tools and techniques used in bibliographic research.
• Library automated systems and applications.
• The techniques for promoting and publicizing library services, programs and events.
• The recent technological, professional, and societal developments, current literature, and sources of information related to library services.
• The applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations, pertaining to library science.
• The Larkspur Library and City of Larkspur policies and procedures as they relate to library operations.
• The service needs and issues, general culture of Larkspur community.
• The administrative principles and practices of libraries, including program planning and evaluation techniques and the budget development and implementation process.
• Thorough knowledge of the practices and techniques of administrative and financial record keeping, data analysis and report preparation.
• The principles and practices of positive customer service and public relations.
• Best practices and techniques to educate customers and staff.
• Computer hardware, public access terminals, patron personal access devices, software programs, and how to use them to access digital content and services.

Skill and Ability to

• Use computerized library information systems and tools and the Microsoft Office suite.
• Learn and utilize new technology.
• Use a computer and other technology, including software, hardware and the Internet, sufficient to be able to assist customers, conduct research, prepare reports, and use email and other communications technologies.
• Perform online and electronic searches to gather data and compile information.
• Perform effective library reference, readers’ advisory duties, program and service development, collection development, cataloging and other professional level library work.
• Make effective presentations to groups and representing the Larkspur Library to the public and among professional colleagues.
• Demonstrate initiative and the sound judgment necessary to make responsible decisions as Librarian-In-Charge or in the absence of the Community Services Director.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Develop effective marketing strategies and materials.
• Make procedural decisions and judgments.
• Analyze information logically and creatively to identify problems, drawing valid conclusions and developing effective solutions to operational and customer service problems.
• Perform accurate data entry and records maintenance and generate statistical reports.
• Monitor and/or maintain quality control standards.
• Develop, plan and implement short and long-range goals.
• Provide  leadership  in  establishing  effective  working  processes,  relationships  and  communication, ensuring high productivity and quality public service.
• Organize   and   manage   a   significant   number   of   complex   projects   and   competing   priorities simultaneously.
• Develop appropriate and effective collections/resources.
• Plan, organize and direct the operations of programs.
• Travel to meetings, as needed.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Sufficient experience and education related to providing professional library services to demonstrate the knowledge and skills listed and to perform the essential duties is required. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is:

Possession of a Master’s Degree in Library Science or similar curriculum  from  an American Library Association accredited educational program. In addition, Librarian II requires at least four years of professional experience in a library setting.

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities.
• The employee will occasionally be required to climb or balance or crawl.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to video display terminals.
• Position requires the gripping of collection materials, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in data entry and preparing reports using a computer keyboard.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• The employee may be exposed to dust and/or other allergens.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
All required applications materials must be submitted and received by the final filing date. 

It is important to complete all required materials. Please complete the online application and all supplemental questions and include a PDF copy of your resume and letter of interest in the position (cover letter) as attachments to the application. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to interview.

Interviews are anticipated to take place September 23, 2025. 

Inquiries may be directed to [email protected]. The City of Larkspur is not responsible for failure of Internet forms or email in submitting your application.  

Accommodation: Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing [email protected] upon submittal of application.

NOTE:  A comprehensive job description is found on the City of Larkspur’s website.

THE CITY OF LARKSPUR IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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