Library Specialist III

Library Specialist III

Salary

$42,185.49 Annually

Location

301 W Missouri, Midland, TX

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2025-00627

Department

Library

Division

Library

Opening Date

06/05/2026

• Description
• Benefits

Summary

Please ensure that you fill out this DPS criminal background check permission form. (you must open this in internet explorer to digitally sign). All that is needed is your name, signature, and the date. You will need to attach this to your application. CRIMINAL CHECKS CAN NOT BE RUN WITHOUT THIS FORM AND YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.

Assists the Head of Childrens & Youth Services by planning and administering programs, section operations, and in promoting reading to the community. Has responsibility for collection development for the section, outreach services, and oversees until section when needed in the absence of the Head of Childrens & Youth Services. Provides welcoming customer service to all customers. Positively reflects Midland County Public Librarys mission, vision, and values to staff and the public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include some of the following depending on assignment. Other duties may be assigned:

• Assists Head of Children's & Youth Service in the training of and assigning work to staff and volunteers assigned to the section.
• Initiates, plans, conducts, and evaluates a variety of programs and activities to encourage the use of the library by children and young adults on a weekly basis.
• Assesses programming needs of the community and present age and interest specific programs to satisfy those needs; assists in the development of programming and ideas to boost attendance and target audiences.
• Communicate with home schoolers, teachers, students, parents, and community members to help improve library services.
• Performs readers' advisory for youth, creates bibliographies and displays of materials to boost circulation, increase usage, and highlight areas of the collection.
• Develops the children's and young adult collections using resources and policies/procedures presented in the Midland County Public Library Collection Development policy, and based on journal reviews, evaluation of the current collection, professional judgment, and preferences of children and young adults.
• Contributes information relevant to children's and young adults to be included on the library's website, social media platforms, and other marketing/resource tools (flyers, brochures, etc.).
• Advocates for children's and young adults and youth services with other community agencies.
• Identifies, collects, and interprets statistics as needed. Maintains records and prepares statistical reports as requested monthly and annually.
• Builds teen mentoring relationships and involves young adults in planning and implementing services for their age group.
• Instruct library users in the use of online resources to track their project work.
• Establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives and receives guidance in terms of broad goals.
• Keeps informed of emerging technologies, current trends, improved programs, and procedures to better meet the needs of the community.
• Performs general maintenance on library equipment and computers, troubleshooting and identifying problems, then reporting to proper repair specialists.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline, work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
• Takes advance of continuing education opportunities and reviews industry literature to improve services and workflow of team.
• Regular and consistent attendance is required.

In the absence of, or as assigned by, the Head of Children's & Youth Services, may act as supervisor for the section. May perform some administrative duties.

Qualifications, Education, and/or experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Associate degree, plus two to three years of progressively responsible library experience, and experience working with children and/or young adults; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Preferred: Bachelor's degree and supervisory experience. Highly preferred: Master's degree in Library Science for an ALA accredited school.

Knowledge, Skills and/or ability

• Strong public service attitude and ability to relate to and communicate with children and young adults.
• Thorough knowledge of children's and young adult literature, library reference methods and procedures. Thorough knowledge of children's and young adult books, related materials, and appropriate techniques and specialized skills in working with youth.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of library administration and youth literatures.
• Initiative, creativity, flexibility, resourcefulness, and good judgment as well as writing and communication skills.
• Flexibility, initiative, energy, patience, and tact to deal effectively with the public.
• Ability to prioritize, complete multiple tasks, and meet program deadlines. Strong organizational skills to oversee and lead workflow in assigned area.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both professional and non-professional, co-workers, management personnel, and the public.
• Ability to create clear and concise reports and to maintain accurate files and records; ability to use automated systems. Ability to investigate and research more complex problems, including analyzing and interpreting information.
• Should have an active familiarity of computers and automated systems, and their capabilities, installation, and maintenance requirements. Solid working knowledge of all MS Office suite software is required.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to interpret overall library policies and procedures and an in-depth knowledge of library operations, policies and procedures pertaining to assigned functional area, including a solid understanding of individual work functions and the ability to adapt work procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of external online databases, system, and resources, including the ability to perform complex online searches. Demonstrated expertise in using library automated system pertaining to the functional area, including database maintenance.
• Thorough knowledge of the library's policies and practices associated with the ethical use of and access to library and online resources.
• Strong communication and interpretive skills to be able to prepare internal library reports, interview patrons regarding their information needs and guide them in the use of more complex library and online resources.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

Must have a valid Texas drivers license, provide proof of insurance, and have adequate transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Personal Expectations:

The physical and mental demands in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

The job requires the employee to have a demonstrated physical stamina to be able to carry and move library materials from one place to another. The job includes standing for much of the workday, walking, bending, kneeling, crawling, grasping, carrying, pushing, reaching, and performing manual dexterity. Required to hear, listen, see, and speak clearly. The job also requires the employee to frequently lift and carry 10-25 pounds; occasionally lift and carry 50 or more pounds while twisting and turning; reach at, above, and below shoulder height, grasp objects weighting 10-25 pounds; push and pull objects, weighting 50 pounds. May be required to work in confined spaces. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, middle (computer screen) vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Other physical requirements include fingering (keyboarding, writing, filing, sorting, shelving, and processing); handling (processing, picking up and shelving books); talking and hearing (use of the telephone).

Mental Requirements:

The employee must effectively read and understand information contained in memoranda, reports, and bulletins, etc. and must be able to comprehend and follow instructions. The job requires the employee to regularly operate and exhibit proficiency with computers and commonly used Microsoft applications, library systems and databases, email and cloud environments, and social media. The job may require the employee to operate and occasionally troubleshoot general office equipment as well as smartphones, tablets, e-readers, gaming equipment, new consumer technology, and book carts. Information requests may often be urgent, posing the potential for stress and mental fatigue. Requests for information are also confidential, posing the potential for stress when following up with other staff or outside agencies. The employee needs to recognize and respect the pressure under which other staff may be working. The employee also must exercise diplomacy and tat with staff and patrons. A broad knowledge of the intellectual, emotional, psychological, and physical development of adolescents is essential.

Work Environment:

The job requires the employee to be subjected to repetition, working with community partners, working alone, working away from the library, working around others, verbal contact with others, face-to-face contact, noise, inside and outside environments, mechanical equipment, and moving parts. The noise level is usually quiet to moderate but may occasionally get loud. Most of the work is performed indoors but some outdoor work may be expected.

Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position, requiring employee to work a 40-hour week. The job requires the employee to work a varied, flexible schedule, including days, evenings, and weekends. Position schedule is subject to change at any time at the discretion of management.

Expected Travel:

The job requires some travel for staff meetings, training, conference activities, and attendance at community and business events. Travel between locations may be required.

Note: Please note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change any time with or without notice.

At Midland County, we believe taking care of our employees is essential to building a strong community. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Employees have access to competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement through TCDRS with employer matching, paid holidays and paid time off, and income protection benefits such as life and disability insurance. Additional resources include telehealth services, an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and optional supplemental coverage for added peace of mind. Our goal is to provide benefits that help employees and their families stay healthy, plan for the future, and thrive both at work and at home.

https://www.co.midland.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/13004/2026-Midland-County-Benefits-Guide?bidId=

Employer Midland County

Address 500 N Loraine St

Midland, Texas, 79701

Phone 432-688-4852

Website https://www.co.midland.tx.us/383/Human-Resources