Opening: Youth Services Manager

Job Opening: Youth Services Manager

Platteville Public Library is seeking an adaptable, welcoming Youth Services Manager to lead and develop library services, programs, collections, and outreach for children, young adults, and caregivers. This position supervises department staff, supports youth literacy development, cultivates community connections, and helps shape services in response to evolving community needs.

Education requirements

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution preferred.

Experience and skills requirements

Experience working with children and young adults, including knowledge of literacy development and strategies for supporting literacy skills.
Strong communication, organizational, supervisory, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate with library leadership and community partners.
Ability to adapt to changing community needs and library services.

Starting wage and benefits

$60,000–$76,000 annually
Benefits package available. The City of Platteville offers unmatched employee benefits, including participation in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), health insurance with low monthly premiums and a $300 max out-of-pocket cost for care, generous paid time off (112 hours in first year plus additional sick leave), and employer paid life insurance and long-term disability.
This position is classified as exempt (salaried)

Schedule

40 hours/week
Work includes evenings and weekends in rotation
Additional evenings and weekends required based on programming, staffing, and operational needs

Applications

Qualified persons should submit all of the following:

Cover letter
Resume
Completed City of Platteville Employment Application, available at platteville.org/jobs.

Electronic applications are encouraged and should be sent to director @ plattevillepubliclibrary . org

Paper applications are acceptable and should be sent to
Jessie Lee-Jones
Platteville Public Library
225 W Main St
Platteville, WI 53818

Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed beginning Monday, November 16, 2026.

The City of Platteville is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Youth Services Manager Job Description

(PDF)

Position Classification

Exempt (salaried)

Typical Responsibilities of Position

Under the Library Director’s direction, the Youth Services Manager oversees the Youth Services department. As a member of the library’s leadership team, this position collaborates to ensure organizational success and strategic alignment. This role supervises departmental operations including the provision of reference and readers’ advisory services, programming and outreach for youth of all ages and their caregivers, and oversees youth collection management.

Examples of Work Performed

Departmental Leadership and Staff Supervision: Supervises, trains, schedules, and evaluates departmental staff; establishes workflows and best practices to support consistent daily operations and team development.
Programming and Community Engagement: Plans, coordinates, and delivers dynamic, age-appropriate library programs, events, and special displays for youth, families, and caregivers.
Collection Management and Technical Services: Evaluates professional review sources, patron requests, and circulation metrics to select, weed, and maintain youth collections.
Information and Reference Services: Provides direct customer service and readers’ advisory; assists patrons with reference inquiries, digital resources, database navigation, and technology instruction.
Outreach and Partnerships: Supports collaborative partnerships with schools, civic organizations, and community groups to expand library outreach, co-host events, and promote services.
Marketing and Communications: Develops and coordinates departmental marketing, promotional materials, public information campaigns, and digital/web content across communication channels.
Operational Administration and Technology Integration: Assesses departmental technology needs; compiles statistical data and service reports; assists in updating operational policies and monitoring assigned budget and fund accounts.
External Funding Support: Researches alternative funding opportunities, including grants and private donations; assists with grant application, implementation, and reporting as needed.
General Organizational Support: Participates as a contributing member of the library management team and performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

Knowledge of library operations, services, and materials, with particular knowledge of youth literature and services.
Ability to

Direct and oversee the work of department staff.
Communicate clearly and concisely, effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, patrons, trustees, and the public, in verbal and written formats.
Maintain confidentiality of library patron and staff information.
Gather statistics, analyze information, compile reports, and use information to support decision-making.
Identify problems and opportunities, evaluate possible courses of action, and make independent decisions based upon experience, knowledge, and training.
Plan, organize, and prioritize work; establish systematic methods for accomplishing goals; and respond effectively to varied and changing work demands.
Work independently and exercise sound judgment while recognizing when to seek guidance or refer matters to appropriate members of library leadership.
Meet the Platteville Public Library core technology competencies and use library equipment, computer software, databases, and other technology and to adapt to new technologies.
Understand and apply policies, procedures, and best practices to library operations.
Work with basic numerical information, including statistics, budgets, and other financial or operational data.
Adjust to evolving community needs and changing library services, and strategically plan and prioritize services to support department and organizational goals.
Maintain and foster cooperative and courteous working relationships with the public, peers, supervisors, and community partners.
Maintain professional skills and awareness of trends, best practices, and professional resources through active participation in appropriate continuing education activities.
Acquire and apply principles and practices related to the selection and organization of library materials

Tools and Equipment Used

Book carts
Circulation computer equipment, including scanners, keyboards, and printers
Photocopier, microfilm/fiche reader/printer, public access computers, mending tools, DVD/compact disc cleaning machine, cash register

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Bending/twisting and reaching
Far vision at 20 feet or further; near vision at 20 inches or less
Keyboarding, writing, filing, sorting, shelving, and processing
Handling: processing, picking up and shelving books
Lifting and carrying: 30pounds or less
Mobility: travel to meetings outside the library
Pushing and pulling: objects weighing 300-400 pounds on wheels
Sitting, standing, walking, climbing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching
Talking and hearing; use of the telephone

Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution preferred.
Experience working with children and young adults, including knowledge of child and adolescent development and strategies for supporting literacy skills.
Three years of experience in a supervisory setting or three years of progressively more responsibility in a library setting.
Access to reliable transportation.

Environmental/Working Conditions

Work hours may fluctuate and include weekend and evening hours in rotation.
Inside work environment.

Position Accountability

Supervises the Youth Services Department staff. Reports to the Library Director. Serves as staff in charge as assigned.

Employee is accountable to all applicable City of Platteville Policies and Procedures

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check. Job-related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.

The position description does not constitute an agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees at their regular monthly meeting January 3, 2017. Revised October 6, 2026