General Position Summary
JOB NUMBER: 2026-00334
King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a community-oriented and collaborative Memory Lab Librarian to provide service in the Bellevue and Federal Way libraries. This temporary position will serve until December 2028 and the role is made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation. There is a potential for this position to become permanent, depending on funding and business needs.
For internal candidates: if hired, the incumbent in the Memory Lab Librarian position will not be eligible to participate in lateral transfer opportunities and will not be eligible to skip any screening stages when applying for open KCLS jobs.
The Memory Lab Librarian will lead and advance KCLS’s Memory Lab initiative at the Bellevue and Federal Way Libraries, building on existing work supported through a grant from the Mellon Foundation. This temporary position, funded through December 2028, offers an exciting opportunity to preserve and amplify local stories while fostering meaningful community connections. In this role, the librarian will serve as the project manager for the Memory Labs, working closely with community partners, stakeholders, and KCLS staff to expand and sustain a growing digital archive of patron stories. The project focuses on documenting and preserving the experiences of two key communities: immigrants and refugees who have made King County their home, and Japanese Americans and their descendants who were displaced from their homes and farms in the Bellevue area during World War II. As a representative of KCLS within the community, the Memory Lab Librarian will cultivate partnerships, develop programs and services, and collaborate with community organizations, residents, and the Mellon Foundation to ensure the project’s continued success and impact.
The ideal candidate will:
- Demonstrate strong cultural competency and humility. The successful candidate will have the ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
- Excel at conducting conversational, respectful interviews that encourage community members to share their stories and experiences. The successful candidate will be an attentive listener who can quickly build trust and create a safe, welcoming environment.
- Value relationship-building and collaboration with community members, partner organizations, and colleagues throughout KCLS.
As a Memory Lab Librarian, you will play an important role in preserving community histories while helping KCLS adapt to the needs of a growing and changing region. You will contribute to KCLS’s longstanding commitment to exceptional public service and equitable access to information and resources. This position regularly works at both the Bellevue and Federal Way Libraries and requires travel throughout King County to meet with community groups and project partners. Previous experience working in a public library, particularly at KCLS, is preferred. Experience with audiovisual technology, oral history projects, digital archives, or archival practices is desirable but not required. If needed, training will be provided for candidates who bring strong community engagement and relationship-building skills.
Candidates with language skills in addition to English are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses why they are interested in the position and how they meet the qualifications listed.
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.KCLS welcomes 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. Examples of Duties
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.
- Creates, develops, directs, delivers, and evaluates relevant services and programs, including co-creating programs with the community.
- Develops relationships and partnerships with community-based organizations, including civic, business, education, and cultural communities.
- 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.
- Participates in community activities by providing information, answering questions and discussing community needs for services. Represents the Library and makes public presentations.
- 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.
- 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.
- Promotes and supports Intellectual Freedom principles with staff and patrons. Resolves related concerns or redirects to appropriate source.
- 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.
- 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.
- Creates and provides relevant and timely communications.
- Participates in collection development and maintenance activities.
Secondary Duties:
- Initiates, participates and collaborates in the library profession beyond KCLS. Maintains professional expertise in order to provide relevant public service.
- Initiates, participates and collaborates with KCLS staff on projects and committees.
- Participates in activities such as staff meetings, committee work and trainings.
- Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Core Competencies 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. Desired Minimum Qualification
Education/Experience:
- 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 & Work Environment
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.
Benefits
General Benefits Summary
Paid Time off It is the policy of KCLS to grant to all part-time and full-time employees:
- Annual Leave (Vacation).
- Sick Leave
- Holidays - KCLS celebrates twelve (12) holidays each year and one (1) floating holiday. Part-time employees are eligible for holiday pay if they are scheduled to work on the day the holiday falls on.
Medical/Dental Insurance Benefits Our health insurance plans with Kaiser/Premera/Delta Dental are offered at low premium rates to all employees working 20 or more hours per week. Employees may also purchase benefits for dependents and domestic partners.
Retirement - Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Employees working 20 hours per week or more are automatically enrolled in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) program. Both KCLS and the employee contribute toward PERS retirement benefits.
Flexible and Dependent Care Spending Accounts and Health Saving Account Employees working 20 hours per week or more can set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to pay for family medical and dependent care needs. KCLS provides an annual employer contribution to Health Saving Account when the employee is enrolled in a high deductible health plan.
Life and Accidental Death & Disability, Long Term Disability Insurance All the employees working 20 hours per week or more qualify for the group term life and AD& D insurance benefits equal to one times their annual salary. Employees working 40 hours per week receive long-term disability insurance.
Optional/Voluntary Benefits Employees working 20 hours per week or more are eligible to participate in the following voluntary benefits:
- Supplemental Term Life and AD&D Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Nationwide Pet Insurance
- Allstate Identity Theft Protection
- Student Loan Refinance
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (available to all KCLS Employees)
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan - You can supplement any other retirement benefits you may have by setting aside pre-tax dollars in this retirement savings account.
Other Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - This employer-sponsored program is a confidential service that can provide referrals to counseling, financial, legal, child care/elder care services.
- Ride-Wise - KCLS encourages you to "leave the car at home" and seek other ways to commute to work. All employees are eligible for reimbursement of 50% of your tax-free ORCA transit pass and van pool. The Guaranteed Ride Home program is also available for staff.
- Tuition Assistance - KCLS encourages employees to pursue college, associate and graduate degrees and certificate programs where such education and knowledge bring value to KCLS. Tuition assistance, as funding permits, is available to all employees.
