Librarian, Teen & New Adult

Job Summary

Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) is a progressive, innovative, sixteen branch library system with a mission to provide exceptional customer service within the context of a warm and welcoming environment. KFPL enjoys remarkable support from the public and community groups in the City of Kingston and the County of Frontenac, making the organization one of the most dynamic public library systems in Ontario. It is within this exciting context that the organization is seeking to recruit a Librarian – Teen & New Adult.

The Opportunity

The Librarian, Teen & New Adult Services is a dynamic, community-focused member of the team delivering programs and outreach services to the public. Knowledge of library and technology trends, a passion for working with teens and new adults, enthusiastic support of the youth voice and excellent event management skills will enable the development of programs, initiatives and partnerships that respond to the interests and needs of patrons. In addition, the Librarian, Teen & New Adult Services will:

Community Liaison

• Develop innovative strategies and partnerships to reach youth and new adult residents.
• Build partnerships with Queen’s University, the Royal Military College, St. Lawrence College, and post-secondary and secondary schools throughout the area.
• Liaise with youth-serving agencies in Kingston Frontenac.

Programs & Outreach

• Working alongside the Children’s Librarian and Librarian, Adult Programming, plan and evaluate programs for teens, ‘new adults’ and intergenerational audiences, with emphasis on community partnerships and youth-led programming; coordinate program delivery by Programming Assistant team.
• Develop an annual plan for community outreach.
• Coordinate Teen Review Board; oversee Teen Advisory Groups (TAG) and coordinate programs developed by our TAG volunteers.
• Facilitate New Adult Advisory Board (NAAB) meetings and coordinate programs developed by the NAAB.
• Support the Friends of the Library Create Space, and digital literacy initiatives, by developing maker and technology-focused programming, recommend new technologies to share with our community.

Marketing & Communications

• Participate in media interviews related to programs and services for teens and new adults, including live and pre-recorded television, radio, and online content.
• Guide the publicity team’s creation of marketing content for teen and new adult audiences; develop teen- and new adult-focused content for KFPL website and newsletters.
• Maximize use of social networking tools, blogs and other online resources to reach the target audience; coordinate submission of original content by teens and new adults for the KFPL website and social media channels.

Branch Operations

• Provide information, programs and services to the community.
• Assign work, supervise and direct the workflow of page and other library staff.
• Be knowledgeable of and follow organizational policies and procedures in fulfillment of duties.
• Act as Librarian in Charge of the library system in the absence of a Manager.

Readers’ Advisory

• Create and maintain collection-related content for the library’s website, social media and newsletters; evaluate and develop self-help tools in areas such as services for readers.
• Create personalized reading recommendations for patrons as part of the May We Suggest readers’ advisory team.
• Actively promote all aspects of the collection in cooperation with branch supervisors, the Collections Librarian, and other programmers.

Collection Development and Budget Management

• Select materials for teens and new adults in all formats for all locations in a multi-branch environment; ensure that Library collections have depth and balance and reflect new and emerging trends meeting the diverse needs of the community.
• Assess, evaluate, and maintain the collections using analytics tools; provide guidance to staff tasked with weeding projects.
• Select materials within established budget; monitor approved budgets to ensure selection activity and budget is on target; recommend budgets for special projects; participate in annual budget review.
• Work in tandem with the Collections Librarian to maintain collections, monitor relevant automatic and continuous order plans, monitor trends in young adult publishing, and resolve collection challenges or collection problems. Receive, evaluate, and respond to purchase suggestions from the public and library staff.

Leadership, Vision and Professional Development

• Develop and maintain relevant local community, library, and industry contacts; provide expertise and act as a resource person for programs, collections and services to teens and adults and other issues affecting libraries.
• Provide guidance and direction to Programming and Outreach staff who deliver programs for teens and new adults, and to youth and new adult volunteers.
• Develop metrics for evaluation of programs and services to teens and new adults, working closely with the managers of Programming and Outreach and Branches and Collections.
• Provide leadership for system initiatives; participate on committees; participate in staff training and present at professional meetings and conferences.
• Read a wide range of reviewing journals, publisher and vendor catalogues and other print and online resources.
• Maintain professional knowledge and awareness of best practices for library services.
• Review services and operations; recommend changes; plan and implement projects.

Who We Are

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library acknowledges that our work takes place on the traditional territories of the Algonquin, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat and is home to Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, one of ten communities that make up the Algonquins of Ontario. We acknowledge the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and recognize that our region is home to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit from across Turtle Island, as well as Indigenous Peoples from other areas of the world.

The Library is committed to diversity in employment opportunities and welcomes employment applicants from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal Peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

About Kingston and Frontenac County:

Kingston with its unique heritage and character is a major population centre of eastern Ontario. Located on Lake Ontario it is a 2-hour drive from Ottawa and a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto and Montreal. It is home to Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College and the Royal Military College. Culture and the arts abound, along with fabulous shopping, dining and outdoor recreational experiences. Kingston offers the quality of life of a smaller community with the amenities of a major centre. The County of Frontenac offers an exceptional quality of life and residents enjoy the advantages of a rural lifestyle, living, working and travelling in one of the most beautiful parts of Ontario. The County of Frontenac covers a large geographical area and KFPL has eleven branches in the County to serve residents and the many cottagers that reside in the County.

The Successful Candidate

• Master of Library or Information Science degree from an ALA accredited library school; undergraduate degree in social sciences (e.g., Bachelor of Social Work) preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working directly with teens and new adults; a range of experience with teens of diverse backgrounds, including newcomers and youth at risk, would be an asset.
• Demonstrated experience with emerging technologies and ‘maker’ culture, including 3D printing.
• Demonstrated experience selecting and maintaining collections.
• Demonstrated expertise with a wide range of social networking tools and technology, and best practices for their use by libraries.
• Knowledge of Indigenous worldviews, histories, governance structures, lands, and cultures (within the Canadian context), and an understanding of decolonization and Indigenization, would be an asset.
• Fluency in French or another key language (Arabic, Spanish, Chinese) would be an asset.
• Direct experience as Librarian in charge of a library system.
• Excellent public relation and de-escalation skills, tact, resourcefulness, flexibility, and the ability to perform in challenging situations and as part of a team, with an emphasis on customer service and technology.
• Demonstrated planning and people management skills.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated conceptual and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s License Class G required.

Compensation
$74,493 – $81,663 per annum. A comprehensive benefits package including pension (OMERS) is provided.

This position is covered by the terms of the CUPE Local 2202 collective agreement with the Kingston Frontenac Public Library.

Existing vacancy?   ☒ Yes    ☐ No

Conditions of Employment

The successful candidate, to whom an employment offer has been made, shall be required to provide at their own expense:

• A current Criminal Record Check (CRC), including vulnerable sector.
• A current three-year uncertified driver record.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates may apply by email to jobs@kfpl.ca no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

Application emails should include:

• your name and the competition number in the subject line;
• an attachment or link to a single file (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format) that contains the following:  A cover letter and resume detailing the knowledge, skills and experiences that will facilitate your success in this role.  Contact information for three (3) professional references, including current and prior supervisors. Reference checks are undertaken as part of the recruitment process for candidates who successfully complete the interview stage. A declaration of any familial, significant social or intimate personal relationships with KFPL employees.

Pursuant to AODA requirements, accommodations for disabilities are available to job applicants who are invited to participate in an interview and who request individual accommodation during the recruitment process.

Artificial intelligence is not used in the recruitment process.

Thank you for your interest in the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.

Additional correspondence regarding this job posting will be sent to the email address provided. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

Compensation: $74,493 – $81,663 per annum.

How To Apply

Interested candidates may apply by email to jobs@kfpl.ca no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025.