Salary : $103,043.20 - $125,964.80 Annually
Location : Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Library Services Department
Opening Date: 09/30/2026
Closing Date: 10/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Connect Adults with Stories, Resources, and Community Join the Palo Alto City Library as an Adult Services Senior Librarian

The Palo Alto City Library is seeking an Adult Services Senior Librarian to help shape welcoming programs and services at Rinconada Library. This role focuses on adult library users, with a special emphasis on engaging Palo Alto's older adults and retirees.

You'll work with the Adult Services team, community partners, and colleagues across the library system to develop programs that reflect community interests and needs. You'll also provide reference and reader services, participate in outreach, and manage designated collections at one or more branches.
What You'll Do

• Plan, promote, and deliver programs and services for adults, including older adults and retirees.
• Build relationships with community organizations and partners to expand the library's reach.
• Collaborate with the Adult Services team and manager to strengthen services across branches.
• Help customers discover information, library resources, and their next great read.
• Select, evaluate, and maintain designated library collections.

Who Thrives in This Role
We're looking for a librarian who enjoys connecting with people, turning community interests into engaging programs, and working with others to make library services more responsive. Strong communication, collaboration, and customer service skills are essential. Experience developing programs or services for older adults is especially welcome.
Schedule: Sunday through Thursday, including one evening shift.

This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to:

• May perform duties of Librarian as required.

• Responsible for selection and de-selection of library materials in one or more subject areas on a rotating basis. Evaluates need to add or retain collection materials based on variety of criteria; verifies and evaluates customer requests for purchases; responsible for daily collection maintenance and evaluation; coordinates processing of discarded materials.

• Monitors physical arrangements and other requirements relevant to collection size and promotion of specific areas/collections in the library. Monitors maintenance requirements for and assists public in use of a variety of library equipment including microfilm reader printers and photocopiers, and computers.

• Responsible for security of building and safety of customers and staff.

• Responsible for all elements of library programming including planning, coordination, promotion and conducting of programs. Cooperates with other City departments, community and library groups in co-sponsorship of programs.

• Conducts reference interviews; analyzes, interprets and answers inquiries at all level of complexity utilizing resources in Palo Alto Libraries as well as other libraries and in the community, when required to meet public information needs; keeps informed of new and outdated resources; provides direct assistance to customers of all ages in location and selection of appropriate library materials and may specialize in service to children; assists customers in use of facility, materials and access tools.

• Selects, evaluates, tests, demonstrates and promotes on-line databases and other on-line products.

• Trouble-shoots problems with products in-house and remotely as needed; gathers statistics and makes recommendations based on use, value and fit in the collection.

• May assist customers with the use of library technology.

To review full job description, click

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:

• Master's Degree in Library and Information Science
• Three years professional experience as a librarian. Master's degree in Library or Information Science may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking
01

How many years of professional experience do you have working as a librarian?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3 years
• 3 or more years

02

Which of the following have you done as part of your work? Select all that apply.

• Planned or delivered programs for adults
• Planned or delivered programs for older adults or retirees
• Conducted community outreach or worked with community partners
• None of the above

03

If yes to any of the above, please describe the programs or outreach you have done.
04

Do you have experience selecting, evaluating, or maintaining library collections?

• Yes
• No

05

If yes, briefly identify the type of collection and your role.
Required Question