Librarian 1

Full Job Description

The Eugene Public Library seeks collaborative and passionate librarians to fill three (3) full-time Librarian I positions in Youth Services at the Downtown Library and two (2) full-time Librarian I positions in Adult Services at the Downtown Library.

Librarians create and maintain positive relationships with patrons, staff, and the community; plan and present dynamic, culturally relevant programs; build and maintain diverse digital and print collections; and consistently provide excellent, patron-first service.

Our goal is to provide equitable access to resources, services, materials, safe community spaces and opportunities to thrive, and to foster a love of reading and life-long learning.

The successful candidates will be fierce equity, diversity, and inclusion champions who are forward-thinking, creative, adaptable, and committed to developing innovative services that foster library and community collaboration and connection.

As leaders within their work groups, librarians coordinate and guide projects and project teams.

Strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines is essential in our busy and fast-paced system.

We are committed to providing the best possible community-centered library services and we want someone who shares that commitment.

Librarians also perform in-charge-of-building duties, and the ideal candidates will lead with empathy, care, and concern.

They will support staff with difficult and unwanted patron behavior, balancing trauma-informed practices, safety policies, and the expectations outlined in our Library Use Rules.

We are happy to support you in developing your librarian skills and growing your library career. Possession of a Master of Library Science degree (MLS/MLIS) from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college or university OR the ability to obtain one by July 1, 2026 is required.

Application Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5:00 pm PT

Accepting Online Applications Only

Information on How to Apply

Classification: Librarian 1

Salary Range: $30.06 - $39.07 hourly / $62,524.80 - $81,265.60 Annually
The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).

Department/Division: Library, Recreation & Cultural Services / Library Division

Work Location: Downtown Library, 100 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene OR.

Living & Working in Eugene: For more information on living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more, visit this page.

Work Schedule: Full time with flexibility per business need. May be discussed at the interview. Must be available to work any time during the following hours:

Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Monday, Friday – Sunday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more info, click the Benefits Tab, or visit the Non-Rep Benefits page.

Bilingual Pay Benefit: This position qualifies for up to an additional 5% of base salary for bilingual pay. Please see “Supplemental Information” at the end of the posting for more information.

Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

Requirements

• Professional library duties, including reference, collection development, programming, technology support, and reader’s advisory
• In-Charge-of-Building (ICOB) responsibilities which may include asking patrons to leave for the day, issuing suspensions, and working closely with security officers and city emergency responders
• Cultivating welcoming spaces for patrons of all ages, backgrounds, experiences, and identities
• Following the City’s Affirmative Action and diversity work plans; strives to create a respectful and inclusive work environment
• Creating high quality, research-based experiences for all ages, specifically as it relates to programs and collection development
• Librarians provide regular coverage at service points within the Downtown Library building, as well as across the system. This may include providing circulation, reference, and reader’s advisory for children, teens, and adults
• These positions may include outreach and relationship building with local educators and community partners to serve populations farthest from educational and social justice resources
• May assign work and monitor assignments of library assistants and volunteers
• Work assignments and location may shift based on manager discretion or library needs
• Other duties as assigned

To view detailed information on the duties, knowledge, and abilities that may be expected for this position, please see the classification: Librarian I.

Qualifications

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferable skills from a variety of sources and experiences.

If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

At least one year of responsible experience performing professional library work.

Education

Possession of a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from an American Library Association accredited college or university by July 1, 2026 is required.

Background

Must pass a background check.

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities

Knowledge

• Principles and practices of professional library work including reference, programming, core technology skills, emerging trends, databases, web tools, budget management, collection maintenance, and community outreach and engagement.

Abilities

• Act as person in charge of the building (ICOB) on a regular basis and as required, attend related trainings as required
• Provide equitable, trauma-informed customer service drawn from lived experiences and knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) concepts and practices
• Thrive in an environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner, including setting boundaries and safety expectations with coworkers and community members
• Demonstrate innovation, flexibility, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, a sense of humor, and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Develop, coordinate, and implement library programs and services applicable to the needs of the patrons and the community
• Apply collection development materials selection standards and policies
• Perform professional library tasks in areas of reference, reader’s advisory, youth and/or adult services

Additional Information

The Library

Excellence in action is observed every day at Eugene Public Library. This team is amazing and dedicated to building a better and stronger community.

Library staff are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service, and caring. Because of that, the library benefits from strong community support.

Staff passion is evident and the programs that they provide transform lives and connect our community.

The community is served at three locations – Downtown, Bethel, and Sheldon. Serving over 3,000 visitors daily, the Downtown Library has been an anchor in downtown Eugene since its opening in 2002.

The Bethel and Sheldon branch libraries are vital to accessible service delivery for community members in underserved parts of the city.

Eugene Public Library is known for its progressive, responsive service to patrons of all demographics and works hard to incorporate new and emerging technologies into programs and services.

The library offers a diverse collection of materials in a variety of formats and consistently offers fresh educational and recreational programming.

The active Friends of the Eugene Public Library and the Eugene Library Foundation support the library. We are an incubator for exploration and innovation and are committed to providing the best possible traditional and cutting-edge library services and we want someone who shares that commitment.

Eugene Public Library’s Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission: Providing equitable resources and opportunities for everyone to create a connected, caring and inspired community.
Vision: A vibrant community where we all can learn, engage, thrive and belong.
Values: At Eugene Public Library, we bring these values to our work with each other and our community:

• Equitable access
• Inclusion and belonging
• Compassionate patron-first service
• Space for exploration and experimentation
• Working together to develop an environment of trust and safety

The Organization

The City of Eugene is a service-oriented and welcoming organization that provides services through six departments: Central Services, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Police, Public Works, Planning and Development, and Library, Recreation and Cultural Services.

The State of the City video shows how the city is meeting new challenges, learning from one another, building connections, and celebrating our city.

The City of Eugene encourages our employees to bring their true selves to work with the knowledge that they are valued and protected.

We embrace all of the identities and cultural legacies that our employees represent and strive to be an inclusionary and safe place to work.

Bilingual Pay Benefit

This benefit compensates non-represented employees up to 5% of their base salary. To qualify for bilingual pay, the employee must demonstrate fluency in an eligible language and pass a language proficiency test that is administrated by the City’s Employee Resource Center division.

Eligibility List

This posting may also be used to establish an eligibility list of applicants for future vacancies. Candidates that are placed on the eligibility list will be notified via email which will include the duration of the list and how notification of call up will occur.

Non-Represented Retirement Program

Upon eligibility, the City will contribute an employee contribution of 6%, as well as the employer contribution, to a retirement program administered by the Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

In addition, the City will pay a 3% contribution to a deferred compensation program if the employee contributes at least 1%.

From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2034, most retirees may work for a PERS-participating employer for an unlimited number of hours while continuing to receive their pension benefit based on HB 2296.

If you have questions about your specific situation, including any restrictions to hours, please refer to the PERS: Work After Retirement.

What to Expect from our Selection Process

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training.

The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes.

In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required.

Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment.

Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee.

We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community.

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce.

Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States. NOTE: The City of Eugene does not participate in the E-Verify program; therefore, candidates requiring E-Verify for employment authorization will not be eligible for employment with the City.