Children's Librarian - Temporary

The Waukee Public Library is looking for a Temporary -  Children's Librarian .  The anticipated start date will be early February 2025, not to exceed 5 months.  

The regular hours for this position will be:
Monday: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Tuesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 5:30pm

The Children's Librarian performs professional library functions under the general supervision of the Assistant Director – Library. This position requires knowledge and expertise in all areas of public library service. This position requires flexibility, collaboration, communication, and the ability to identify priorities and shift focus quickly. In order to help fulfill the Library's mission, the Children's Librarian has a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, and enjoys working with people, especially children and the adults in their lives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(Order of Essential Functions does not indicate importance of functions.)

• With minimal direction from the Assistant Director - Library, plans, presents and evaluates diverse and creative services and programs for all ages of children and their caregivers that promote literacy and creativity. These services and programs may be held in the library, off-site, and online. These services may include, but are not limited to: infant, toddler, and preschool story times; library tours; school classroom and assembly presentations.
• Provide quality customer service, readers' advisory, new patron orientation and ongoing patron education, and answers reference questions for all patrons.
• Assist the Assistant Director – Library with management of children's collection by selecting, ordering, and weeding assigned materials in accordance with library policies and budget.
• Assist with or fill in for teen programming as needed.
• Maintain inviting and functional youth library areas.
• Build, foster, and strengthen relationships with community partners including schools, daycares, city agencies and other organizations working in the early learning field.
• Responsible for assisting the Assistant Director - Library in training and encouraging development of direct reports.
• Contribute ideas and feedback for future library services, policies and procedures affecting children and families.
• Assist with coordination, supervision and training of volunteers as needed.
• Assist with development of youth oriented content for website and social media outlets. 
• Occasionally serve as the staff member in charge, providing leadership to address emergencies, safety issues, and patron feedback.
• Perform other duties or assume other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.

• Actively supports all efforts to increase cooperation, communication, and collaboration between and among staff, library patrons and volunteers.
• Acknowledges and accepts the Library's mission, respects the Library's confidentiality regulations, and maintains the integrity of the Waukee Public Library.
• Enjoy working with all ages of children and their caregivers, both individually and in groups.
• Maintain knowledge of current holdings and library resources, both print and electronic.
• Continually seeks and participates in opportunities for continuing education and professional growth.
• Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of all library operations with positive and creative approaches to challenges.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, and cultural sensitivity in working with a diverse public and coworkers.
• Ability to conduct a reference interview and be able to answer reference questions with authority and tenacity to meet patron needs.
• Working knowledge of current electronic devices, internet tools, social media and library related technology and trends, and the ability to embrace the challenge of continuously learning new tools, software, and technology to meet typical library needs.
• Demonstrate sound time-management skills by effectively and efficiently organizing, prioritizing, and completing multiple assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of library science principles and practices.
• Understand and internalize the importance of seeking resolution to problems and concerns by bringing them to the direct attention of supervisor in a timely manner.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement to creatively solve problems and negotiate stressful situations in a positive manner.
• Must be able to work some nights and weekends and to be flexible enough to switch when necessary.
• Be attentive to the City's and the Library's standards for customer service, accuracy, quality, efficiency and all City and Library policies and procedures.
• Represents the City professionally and effectively to the community and library patrons.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in library and information science, early childhood development or closely related field required, master’s degree in library science preferred. 
• Minimum 2 years of public library work experience in children's services required.
• Exhibit considerable knowledge of the needs, developmental stages, and abilities of children.
• Exhibit considerable knowledge of children's literature and materials.
• Access to transportation with insurance at required state levels to conduct business throughout the assigned area.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Required to move or lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time and to maintain focus on projects such as computer screens or detailed paperwork.
• Be able to effectively communicate orally (in person and over the telephone) and in writing (using electronic and handwritten) in English with other employees, library patrons, and the community.

• Climate-controlled office with hazards typical of that environment, minimal outdoor work is required.
• Standard work hours include evenings and weekends.
• To successfully fulfill the essential functions of this position, employee must maintain standard work hours within the Waukee Public Library building.