Adult Services Librarian - Kent Panther Lake and Southcenter - 40 Hours

Job Number: 2026-00055

King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a collaborative and community-oriented Adult Services Librarianto provide service to theCedar regionof King County libraries.The Cedar region includes the Kent, Maple Valley, Southcenter, Kent Panther Lake, and Fairwood libraries.

As an Adult Services Librarian, you will have the opportunity to:

• Deliver a variety of inclusive, equitable, and community-led programs and services to meet the needs of adults in the community
• Manage KCLS materials to meet the information needs of the community
• Develop collaborative relationships and partnerships with community members and organizations
• Provide operational support and assist patrons with basic technological and in-depth information needs

Successful candidates will:

1. Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in public service.
2. Value building collaborative relationships with community members and organizations, as well as colleagues across KCLS.
3. Be responsive to the emerging needs of King County residents, developing and delivering programs and services that reflect the unique needs of diverse populations.

As an Adult Services Librarian, you’ll be helping KCLS keep pace with expanding communities and rapidly changing technologies. More importantly, you will have an integral role in upholding KCLS’s longstanding tradition of exceptional service.

Required: Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses relevant work experience, education, and training as it relates to this position.

The schedule for this position is as follows:

Week 1:

Monday, 10:15am - 6:15pm at Kent Panther Lake

Tuesday, 1:15 - 8:15 at Southcenter

Wednesday, 12:15 - 8:15 at Southcenter

Thursday, 10:15 - 6:15 at Kent Panther Lake

Friday, 9:15 - 6:15 at Kent Panther Lake

Week 2:

Monday, 10:15am - 6:15pm at Kent Panther Lake

Tuesday, 12:15 - 8:15 at Southcenter

Wednesday, 12:15 - 8:15 at Southcenter

Thursday, 10:15 - 6:15 at Kent Panther Lake

Saturday, 10:15 - 6:15 at Kent Panther Lake

About King County Library System (KCLS):

KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.

Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.

From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language.

The King County Library System values the diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures of all qualified individuals. We seek applicants that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, etc.

KCLSwelcomes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities as an opportunity to assist qualified individuals to participate in the job application or interview process and/or perform the essential functions of the position upon hire.

Need an accommodation to apply or interview? Call (425) 369-3224 or email employment@kcls.org.

KCLS ensures equal opportunities and consideration for all job applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. KCLS does not tolerate discrimination or harassment during any stage of employment, including in recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, or training.

Essential Duties/Major Responsibilities:

Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents, however, and do not include all specific tasks an incumbent may be expected to perform.

1. Creates, develops, directs, delivers, and evaluates relevant services and programs, including co-creating programs with the community.
2. Develops relationships and partnerships with community-based organizations, including civic, business, education, and cultural communities.
3. Engages with the community and target service population (e.g., children, teens, adults) using many delivery methods. Promotes the use of materials, services and programs to the community.
4. Participates in community activities by providing information, answering questions and discussing community needs for services. Represents the Library and makes public presentations.
5. Identifies and stays current with service area and understands their informational needs and interests. Plans and organizes information for use by service population. Identifies future needs and trends for information services.
6. Provides and responds to in-depth readers’ advisory, informational and specialty service questions. Provides depth of knowledge in specialty area or skill set such as children’s, teen and adult services. Assists and educates patrons in the use of library technology resources.
7. Promotes and supports Intellectual Freedom principles with staff and patrons. Resolves related concerns or redirects to appropriate source.
8. Promotes and supports KCLS’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values with staff and patrons. Centers the experiences of people and communities who are most affected by structural inequities when engaging in programming, partnerships, and information services work.
9. Mentors, trains, and models for other staff. Works closely with the Public Services Assistant (PSA) position in support of excellence in informational and readers’ advisory services.
10. Creates and provides relevant and timely communications.
11. Participates in collection development and maintenance activities.

Secondary Duties:

1. Initiates, participates and collaborates in the library profession beyond KCLS. Maintains professional expertise in order to provide relevant public service.
2. Initiates, participates and collaborates with KCLS staff on projects and committees.
3. Participates in activities such as staff meetings, committee work and trainings.
4. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Customer Focus
Primarily focused on customer needs, able to deliver high-quality, value-added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.

Valuing Diversity
Manages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably; respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn from differences.

Ethics, Values, and Judgment
Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct; consistently demonstrates organizational values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character and action. Defends intellectual freedom and patron confidentiality.

Professional & Technical Knowledge
Demonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills and/or knowledge in position-related areas; purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to foster personal success and connections for others.

Interpersonal Savvy
Relates well to all kinds of people at all levels, both internally and externally; builds appropriate relationships; interactions are often purposeful and constructive.

Dealing with Ambiguity
Can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without the total picture; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty, does not exhibit excessive need to control or track, can ‘let go’ and move forward in uncertainty.

Organizing and Planning
Establishes courses of action for self, can influence others to ensure that work is efficient, appropriately sensitive to real restraints on time and resources. Willing to take a risk.

Teamwork/Collaborating
Works cooperatively and productively with others to achieve goals and deliverables. Is aware of, utilizes and celebrate their own and team member’s strengths and differences.

• Masters of Library and Information Science degree, or equivalency, from an American Library Association accredited school of Librarianship.
• Evidence of training, experience, or study in an area of service specialty (e.g., Children’s, Teen, Adult Services).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Washington State Librarian’s Certificate.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly using hands to grasp objects, frequently finger/keyboarding. The employee will frequently stand and walk and reach up to chest level with hands and arms and up to frequently will bend. Occasionally squats, kneels and sits on floor and will seldom crawl. The employee will frequently lift/carry 10 pounds, occasionally up to 20 pounds and seldom up to 50 pounds and up to frequently push/pull carts using light force.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a typical library environment and in the community for engagement activities. Interactions with individuals that involve behaviors issues may occur. Incumbent must be available for a varied work schedule, including early mornings, evenings and/or weekends, which may change periodically. Extensive travel within the service area is required.