Job Details

Salary : $69,118.40 Annually
Location : ND, ND
Job Type: Full Time Regular (40)
Job Number: 2025-00150
Department: Fargo Public Library
Division: Library - Main Branch - SELECT THIS OPTION
Opening Date: 12/10/2025

Position Description

Under the general direction of the Library Director, the position manages the Outreach Services activities and coordinates the Library's volunteer program. Works with the Library Director to establish goals and objectives for these programs. Recommends policy changes to the Library Director and Library Board. Formulates operating procedures for Outreach Services and the Volunteer program. Performs planning, implementation, and support of programs and events for Outreach patrons.

Scope of Responsibility:
The Outreach Librarian & Volunteer Coordinator manages a budget for large print format materials of $26,500 at all three Library branches and is responsible for direct supervision of 1.5 FTEs.
Primary Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Coordinates and provides oversight for the Library's Outreach Program to provide library services to patrons with special needs including the elderly, disabled and/or developmentally disabled adult residents at qualifying sites, outside the Library branches.
   1. Identifies facilities in the community that may benefit from outreach services, develops relationships with site staff, and evaluates needs for each individual facility;
   2. Develops communications materials to advertise the availability of the library's outreach program;
   3. Supervises and trains library staff and volunteer staff assigned to the Outreach Program;
   4. Maintains regular contact with staff at site facilities to provide rotating and deposit collections;
   5. Develops, evaluates, and reviews procedures and processes for effective outreach services;
      1. Obtains input from Library staff and volunteers;
      2. Obtains feedback from outreach customers;
      3. Develops and implements improved procedures;
   6. Coordinates and provides public service at off-site locations including:
      1. All circulations functions, such as checkout and return, applications, holds, processing, shelving preparation, fines and billing, interlibrary loan, maintaining confidentiality;
      2. All reference functions including research, information and search requests, reader's advisory, etc.;
   7. Maintains usage statistics and other records.
2. Coordinates and provides oversight for the Library's Volunteer Program.
   1. Recruits, retains, and assigns volunteers to various departments within the library;
   2. Provides training and supervision for volunteers assigned to the Outreach Program;
   3. Assesses individual needs of homebound users and match with appropriate volunteers;
   4. Maintains volunteer applications and time records;
   5. Collects, tabulates, reports and analyzes monthly volunteer statistics;
   6. Plans, organizes, and implements annual volunteer recognition and appreciation events.
3. Provides reference services to library patrons on a regularly scheduled rotation basis.
   1. Determines for clients which sources will most effectively satisfy their informational, educational and business research needs by conducting reference interviews and analyzing client needs; searches, locates and provides such information and materials; provides client referral services for information not available at library;
   2. Instructs library clients (individuals and groups) to properly utilize emerging technology resources (e.g. the Internet), the online catalog, and other bibliographic resources; registers internet users, troubleshoots computer problems.
4. Selects library materials for large print library materials.
   1. Regularly monitors book reviews, publishers' catalogs and online sources;
   2. Selects materials to meet patrons' needs, support outreach program and correct deficiencies in the collection.
5. Develops, coordinates and implements programs and events for Outreach patrons based on their needs, interests, and goals of the library.
   1. Performs program development within Outreach Services;
   2. Develops promotional and instructional materials for Outreach programs and services;
   3. Plans and implements educational and recreational programs for Outreach patrons off-site;
   4. Promotes library collections through programming and events;
   5. Assists in evaluating outcomes of programs and events.
6. Using independent judgment provides supervision and leadership to department personnel under the span of control.
   1. Makes decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, layoff, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under the span of control;
   2. Sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance;
   3. Leads unit in creating and maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance of staff;
   4. Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely formal reviews of performance for assigned employees;
   5. Provides training and work direction, ensuring the employee knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss; ensures that each employee:
      1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
      2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
      3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
   6. Plans the work schedule to meet department demands and to limit overtime costs to reasonable and necessary levels;
   7. Encourages employee growth and development by providing or encouraging learning opportunities;
   8. Assesses staff development needs and directs the provision of staff training;
   9. Participates in decisions regarding the content of jobs and the number of staff within the functional areas under the span of control.
7. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
   1. Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
   2. Interaction with the public, vendors or across departments occasionally includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work-related objective;
   3. Communications include responsibility for maintaining relationships that are key to the outreach function;
   4. Serves on library teams and committees as assigned.
   5. Represents the library at meetings.
8. Maintains knowledge of current trends, developments and best practices in the library profession by reading professional literature and networking with colleagues, and attending conferences, workshops and training sessions.
9. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
10. When an emergency declaration has been made by City of Fargo administration, performs duties as required by the Incident Commander for the duration of need. Duties may require work in locations other than standard library locations work outside of standard library hours of operations, work with physical requirements beyond that of regular library functions, if able.

Minimum Qualifications
The job requires a bachelor's degree and one or more years of professional library experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A Master's degree in Library Science/Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited institution is preferred. Supervisory experience is preferred. Experience in coordinating volunteers is preferred. Must possess a valid driver's license.
Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Knowledge of current principles, trends and best practices of library services and resources, particularly reference sources and strategies, information organization, etc.;
• Knowledge of various academic fields including geography, history, grammar, literature, mathematics, sciences, psychology, etc. to sufficiently assist patrons with requests;
• Knowledge of library practices and procedures including alphabetizing and the Dewey Decimal classification system;
• Knowledge of library circulation procedures, practices, methods and techniques;
• Knowledge of personal computers and various types of systems and applications software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and library systems;
• Knowledge of and skill in human resources practices such as selection, training, coaching, delegation, discipline, etc.;
• Skill in using common reference sources, strategies and methods to assist patrons;
• Skill in basic mathematics sufficient to calculate percentages;
• Ability to work as part of a team;
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and have strong customer service skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Physical Demands

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
Work involves considerable variety and ranges from light to medium physical demands. Daily work involves frequent local driving (about 50% of workdays each month); frequent handling, lifting, carrying, and moving of library materials (book bags weighing 30-50 pounds) loading and unloading materials in a vehicle and transporting to sites; extensive computer use and frequent moving between buildings and rooms. Occasional overnight travel is required. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is regular attention to detail and deadlines.

Activities include stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, digital dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Medium Work: Physical demands are normally those associated with medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.
The City of Fargo offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include participation in the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. For more information on our benefits click

If you are applying for a Part Time Temporary or Seasonal position, you are not eligible for benefits through the City of Fargo.