Full Time Librarian 1 / Library Associate, Youth Services, West Windsor Branch

The Mercer County Library System is seeking to fill a full-time, 35 hour per week position in the Youth Services Department at the West Windsor branch. This is an excellent opportunity for a librarian, or student enrolled in a library program, with a strong vision to provide exciting services and programming to children and teens in this busy, thriving youth services department.  This position includes at least one evening per week and Saturdays in rotation.

We are seeking an energetic librarian with a passion for children’s services and a strong commitment to providing excellent public service.  The candidate will have primary responsibility for providing reference and readers’ advisory services to children and parents in a diverse community, developing the children’s collection, creating innovative programming, outreach to schools and the community, and the Summer and Winter Reading programs. We are a small four person department, so the successful candidate will need to work well with all ages.

Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, writing library blog articles, creating content for social media, preparing statistical reports on departmental activities and use, maintaining the collection budget for YS/YA materials, creating and preparing crafts for all ages, staying current on new developments in the library field (particularly with regard to children’s and teen services), providing reference assistance to patrons of all ages.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, flexible, and forward thinking.  Strong knowledge of literacy, child development, and literature for children and teens are vital in this role.  The candidate will be comfortable planning programs that encourage children to read, and sharing literacy tips with parents. Knowledge of current library technologies and demonstrated experience using technology (including library automated systems, online reference resources, and Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel) are necessary.

 The candidate should have flexibility for scheduling programming at days and times that children and young adults will find convenient, and expect to participate in outreach in the schools and community.  Willingness to be part of a team environment and collaborate with the adult services and circulation librarians are a must, as are strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

This position requires an MLS from an ALA accredited institution, although applications from students enrolled in an MLS program who are at least half-way through the program will also be considered for a library associate title, and are encouraged to apply.  A New Jersey Professional Librarian’s Certificate is required for those with an MLS degree.

This title is affiliated with AFSCME 3566. The current 2024 salary range for Librarian 1 is $43,527 – $70,300 in 10 steps. The current 2024 salary range for Library Associate is $36,328 – $47,904 in 10 steps. Full job descriptions can be found on the NJ Civil Service Commission website. There is a 90-day probationary period before permanency.

The County of Mercer adheres to a strict residency requirement. Residents of Mercer County will be given first priority. All applicants are subject to pre-employment tests:  drug, physical, and criminal background check.

Résumés will be accepted until the vacancy is filled. Only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

EOE/AA/ADA Employer

If you are interested, please email with a resume and three professional references.

Résumés may be submitted care of:

Ellen Brown, Library Director Mercer County Library System Lawrence HQ Branch 2751 Brunswick Pike Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 email: [email protected] fax: (609) 538-1206

“Good Faith” Salary, Range, or Rate of Pay

The current 2024 salary range for Librarian 1 is $43,527 – $70,300 in 10 steps. The current 2024 salary range for Library Associate is $36,328 – $47,904 in 10 steps.