Librarian 1: Adult and Teen Services, Van Buren Branch, Newark Public Library
Date postedOctober 30, 2025
Job Description:
JOB PURPOSE
The Newark Public Library is New Jersey’s largest municipal library, providing collections and services at the Main Library and seven branch libraries located in neighborhoods throughout the city. The Library is a gateway to knowledge and lifelong learning: nurturing youth and families, contributing to the personal growth and well-being of all Newarkers, strengthening digital literacy skills for all, enhancing and promoting the Library’s special collections, and providing welcoming environments. As we expand on our legacy of enriching the lives of diverse clienteles, the Newark Public Library invites applicants to apply for the full-time Librarian 1, Adult & Teen Services Librarian at the Van Buren Branch.
The Van Buren Branch of the Newark Public Library is a busy library located in the Ironbound section of Newark, a diverse urban neighborhood where many residents speak Spanish and Portuguese. The library serves as a hub for the surrounding immigrant community with resources such as ESL classes, citizenship preparation, and multilingual reading materials. The Van Buren Branch is also home to the Environmental Justice History and Resource Center, an archival collection focused on environmental activism in the Ironbound. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with patrons from diverse backgrounds, assisting patrons with resources and technology, and planning innovative programs and services to meet the needs of the surrounding community. The candidate will assist the Branch Manager with daily operations of the library and may take on additional supervisory duties when the manager is out of the building.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Supervises staff, services, and operations of department or location.
- Provides excellent customer service for all
- Establishes work priorities and provides instruction to staff in the performance of assigned work.
- Evaluates employee performance and conduct.
- Develops and recommends short and long range plans for program development and operations.
- Coordinates scheduling for North End Branch and communicates schedule to supervisor.
- Provides research services, answering reference questions of varying difficulty and explaining the use and availability of reference sources in all appropriate formats.
- Provides Readers’ Advisory.
- Assists public and staff and provides formal training in the effective use of library equipment and electronic resources.
- Provides programming and services for adults and/or youth
- Assists with children’s, adult’s, circulation, and other duties as needed
- Orders collection materials and other library supplies for purchase, taking into consideration priority needs and budget limitations; reviews collections to develop or discard/discontinue as needed; evaluates and/or selects resources for delivery in the most appropriate format.
- Gives talks before groups, organizations, co-workers and the public.
- Establishes and maintains effective work relationships with community organizations and the general public.
- Prepares clear, accurate and informative narrative and statistical reports.
KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
- Knowledge of current library technology, trends and innovations.
- Ability to determine work to be accomplished, issue assignments, and instruct, train, and evaluate employees.
- Ability to plan and implement library programs and services.
- Ability to remain knowledgeable about library services, activities and facilities and to coordinate services and activities between departments or with other agencies.
- Ability to keep informed of current events, and popular and local culture.
- Ability to think critically and creatively to solve problems and implement ideas.
- Ability to communicate effectively and share knowledge with others, using oral, written and electronic communication skills.
- Ability to, analyze, interpret and implement the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of a library.
- Ability to train and assist public with communications, technology literacy and all information resources.
- Ability to identify, customize, create and present innovative programs and services and integrate new technologies into library service.
- Ability to comprehend the specific functions and problems of a library and work toward the improvement of methods and techniques of library services.
- Ability to promote and foster public access to information, and assist patrons in developing technology literacy.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative narrative and statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
EDUCATION
A Master's degree in Library or Information Science in a library program accredited by the American Library Association or from a New Jersey Master's program in Library Science that has been deemed acceptable by Thomas Edison State College.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Successful candidates must reside in New Jersey within 1 year from date of hire per the New Jersey First Act.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Saturday and evening hours may be required.
SALARY
$60,213
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter expressing your interest in the position, resume, and three references to:
Theresa Wright
Assistant Director for Human Resources
Newark Public Library
5 Washington Street
P.O. Box 630
Newark, NJ 07102
twright [at] npl [dot] org
Application link or email address: twright@npl.org
Salary range or hourly wage: $60,213
MLS required: Yes, an MLS is required.
Job focus: Public/Adult Service, Youth Services
Work schedule: Full-Time