Description
San Mateo County Libraries is seeking candidates for the position of Librarian I/II - Bilingual Language Skills Preferred!
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an award-winning, innovative public library system and contribute to creating informed, engaged, and connected communities. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, flexible, and passionate about public service, community engagement, and lifelong learning. This role requires strong communication skills, initiative, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, people-centered environment. If you enjoy working with diverse communities and making a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.
Librarians play a vital role in connecting community members to opportunities for discovery and enrichment through innovative programming, outreach, and access to a diverse collection of resources.
Because of the diversity of the communities we serve, bilingual language skills (Mandarin, Cantonese, or Spanish) are strongly preferred.
The eligible list generated by this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies throughout San Mateo County Libraries. There are currently vacancies at our Half Moon Bay, North Fair Oaks, and Portola Valley/Woodside Libraries and on the Bookmobile.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to:
- Plan, schedule, coordinate, promote, and carry out creative and responsive strategic outreach and programming, including school visits, special events, classes/workshops, story times, public speaking, etc.
- Help navigate difficult situations with compassion, patience, and good humor.
- Inspire children and families from diverse backgrounds, strengthening our communities as a whole.
- Model exemplary and engaging customer care in all interactions--including in person, at programs, at outreach events, and helping with library card or circulation issues.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment and contribute to system-wide projects, task forces and committees.
- Establish and strengthen cooperative working relationships with community members, various community services providers, and library staff.
- Skillfully use and troubleshoot emerging technology as a tool to enhance effectiveness, innovation, and efficiency.
- Collaborate and team up with others to share strengths across the organization.
- Have some understanding of theories of infant, child, adolescent, and adult learning, literacy, and brain development, and their implications for public library service.
- Possess a growth mindset and be courageous in trying new strategies, taking risks, and Prototyping solutions.
- Build empathetic relationships over time to build trust in underserved communities.
- Communicate effectively and inclusively, with cultural sensitivity, and be approachable in verbal, written, and non-verbal communications.
- Use data to visualize, plan, and deliver, assess, provide training on, and improve innovative library services that support our system priorities and have measurable results.
The ideal candidate will also have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Library purposes, organization, techniques, and procedures.
- Principles of library materials selection and a current understanding of general and/or children’s literature.
- Composition of the community and its needs.
- General practices and uses of computers, computer information systems, software, maker tools, and digital technology.
- Development of library programs/projects.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative relations with staff, the public, and community groups.
- Instructing others in the use of library materials.
- Conducting individual user needs assessments and basic data analysis.
SALARY:
Librarian I: $41.10 - $51.40 Hourly
Librarian II: $44.84 - $56.02 Hourly
SAN MATEO COUNTY LIBRARIES
At San Mateo County Libraries, our mission is to build meaningful connections and inspire lifelong curiosity.
We believe libraries are more than buildings—they are places of belonging, connection, growth, access, compassion, and creativity. Our work is guided by a deep commitment to serving our diverse communities and creating inclusive experiences for all.
San Mateo County Libraries is a dynamic, award-winning network of community libraries serving the cities of Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos, Woodside, and the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County.
Our libraries offer a rich mix of programs and events that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the people we serve. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, information, or a sense of belonging, San Mateo County Libraries is where community comes to grow and thrive.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit www.smcl.org.
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may also be used to fill extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies. If you are interested in an extra-help opportunity, please be sure to check extra-help on the application, as additional exciting opportunities may be available. This will not impact your consideration for the regular positions, which will be filled first.
Qualifications
Education:
Master of Library Science or recognized equivalent degree, from an American Library Association-accredited college or university, is required. We also encourage recent graduates, or those expecting to graduate no later than June 2026, to apply.
Experience:
Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify for a Librarian II is two years of librarian experience.
Knowledge of:
Skill/Ability to:
Develop library programs/projects.
Establish and maintain cooperative relations with staff, the public, and community groups.
Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
Instruct others in the use of library materials.
Application/Examination
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.
Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
Based solely on the information provided in the application materials, an application screening committee will select those applicants whose education, training, and experience most closely match the needs of the department. Those selected will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Friday, May 1, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: May 4 - 8, 2026
Panel Interviews: May 21 and/or 22, 2026
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Analyst: Sedrick Dixon (04172026) (Librarian I/II – K001/K002)
