Children's Librarian

Basic Function

Plan, organize, and supervise the activities of children’s services; develop and implement reading, educational, and cultural programs and outreach for children to encourage library use and foster community relations. Perform professional work in the areas of reference, reader’s advisory, collection development; and other specific fields as needed, with an emphasis on serving children from birth to age 9, their caregivers, and other adults interested in children’s literature.

SALARY:

17A

REPORTS   TO:

Public Services Manager

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

Library Assistant II (4)

Library Pages (Casual)

Typical Duties

1.     Formulate goals and objectives and participate in near and long-range planning for children’s services, in conjunction with guidelines established by the department manager. Implement new and existing services, programs, and solutions to problems.

2.     Train, supervise, and provide input for evaluating staff; coordinate scheduling and time-keeping tasks, and maintain necessary coverage of children’s service desk during all open hours.

3.     Provide public assistance at the children’s services desk and elsewhere as required. Assist patrons in the use of all formats of library resources.

4.     Effectively use a range of technologies and software (including but not limited to computers, tablets, and maker-tech) in support of programming and outreach. Maintain knowledge of emerging technology and software relevant to children’s services.

5.     Plan, present, and produce programming for children, including a summer reading program, tours, class visits, media programs, book talks, etc. Use technology to provide and produce programs in a variety of formats, including social media posts, and edited video/audio.

6.     Interpret and enforce library and FNSB policies and procedures and serve as Person-in-Charge (PIC) as needed.

7.     Create displays, promotional materials, and a physical children’s space environment that attracts and encourages use of the library by children and their caregivers.

8.     Plan and monitor budget for the section.

9.     Collaborate with colleagues and community partners to develop and implement innovative programs and services for children and their caregivers.

10.   Develop and maintain effective relationships with schools, community and business groups, daycares and preschools, and government and civic agencies, to encourage library use and meet the needs and interests of children and their caregivers.

11.   Produce publicity for various media outlets, including social media, for children’s programs and activities within the library.

12.   Select, maintain, and de-access children’s materials in the collection; maintain general knowledge of patron needs, materials, authors, and resources in a variety of formats, with emphasis on children’s materials.

13.   Keep current with public library service trends and resources as they apply to children; participate in professional staff and selection meetings.

14.   Prepare requisite narrative and statistical reports.

15.   Represent the children’s area of the library in community and professional organizations.

16.   Provide training and educational programs on children’s literature.

Position Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1.     Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited university/college.

2.     Three (3) years of recent experience as a professional librarian with two (2) years of professional experience in the public services area of a public library. At least one (1) year must have been in a supervisory capacity.

3.     Experience planning and implementing programs for children. Experience     with programming for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers essential.

4.     Experience working with children is preferred.

5.     Experience with computers, productivity software, online resources, social media, personal electronic devices, and automated library systems.

6.     Must have and be able to maintain a valid driver's license. Must meet insurance standards and maintain insurability under the Borough's insurance program. If personal automobile is used for Borough business, proof of automobile insurance at statutory limits must be provided. (A CURRENT COPY OF DRIVING RECORD WILL BE REQUIRED UPON REQUEST)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1.     Ability to deal respectfully and efficiently with the public and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.

2.     Extensive knowledge of children's literature and related collection development experience.

3.     Knowledge of audiovisual materials for young people as well as operation of audiovisual equipment.

4.     Must be capable of working in an organized and professional manner, sometimes under stressful conditions, using independent judgement with minimal supervisory oversight.

5.     Must be flexible, adaptable, and capable of prioritizing multiple competing priorities and tasks.

6.     Must have the ability to learn and enforce FNSB and FNSB Library policies and procedures and maintain a working knowledge of public library practices and princples.

OTHER

1.     A SKILLS TEST MAY BE ADMINISTERED TO ALL QUALIFED APPLICANTS

2.     This position requires a criminal background investigation and fingerprinting.

Additional Information

JOB CONTACTS:

Frequent business contact with employees in own department; continuous public contact, and frequent contacts involving outside organizations and agencies.

JOB RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisor responsibilities: Participates in new-hire interviews, provides input for employee evaluations, and other applicable employee-related actions; experiences minor problems daily and occasional major ones that must be resolved with minimal supervision; the consequences of error, carelessness or mistaken judgment require significant effort to recover.

For the purpose of this job description, "supervisor" means providing technical work direction and oversight. It does not include the ability to employ, promote, transfer, evaluate performance, discipline, suspend, discharge or adjudicate grievances; those are management responsibilities handled by the manager/director level.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Private/general office where conditions are pleasant; when performing work in the field, there are minor health hazards and accident probability; requires short periods of moderate lifting, pushing and pulling (26-50 lbs.).