Librarian I- Children's Services

The Avon Children's Librarian plans, organizes, directs, and manages all District services for children conforming to the policies established by the Trustees and Director. Performs managerial duties related to services offered, outreach programs and special activities. Continually seeks ways to promote increased use of materials. Works with school librarians and community groups to develop and expand services. May assume responsibility for all staff and the building in the absence of the Library Branch Manager. 

Applicants selected for a panel interview will be asked choose a read-aloud story for a toddler audience. During the interview, they will have five minutes to present the story as if the panelists are story-time children, adding voices, questions, or songs as inspired. 

Benefits

The full-time benefits package  includes employer-paid health care coverage, valued at $10,884.  Dependent employer-paid coverage is an additional $23,529 value. Our benefits summary is available on the careers page. 

Work Environment

• Performs work under typical library conditions
• Library hours require evening and weekend work
• Makes contacts with the public, schools, other libraries, nonprofits and civic organizations
• Operates computers and other standard office equipment
• Regularly interacts with other personnel and the public

Qualifications, Education, Experience, and Skills Required

Required:

• Completion of a Master of Library and Information Science Degree from an American Library Association accredited institution
• One year of Children’s Services professional library experience or coursework focusing in this area

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public library functions
• Knowledge of the principles of library collection development, planning, coordination, and budget management
• A working knowledge of computer applications for library services
• Considerable knowledge of the needs and abilities of children and the available library materials and services
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Ability to administer the activities of children's library service including: supervising the work of others, establishing priorities, developing short and long-term plans for the implementation of new services, programs, and solutions to problems for children’s library service
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, associates, officials of other agencies and the general public
• Ability to perform and supervise reader's advisory, bibliographic and other professional library services
• Artistic skills used in creating posters, displays, etc. is highly desirable

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and conducts programs for children and parents which encourage reading, viewing, listening and technology skills as well as the use of the library facilities and materials. Selects appropriate books and activities for programs and books speakers
• Incorporates literacy learning techniques into children’s programming
• Serves as a liaison to community agencies serving children
• Provides reference and reader’s advisory service for children, parents, and teachers
• Assists in promoting library use, especially programs and services of children's services
• Assists Children’s Librarian II in developing children's library policy
• Assists Children’s Librarian II in preparing the annual budget, particularly as it relates to children's services
• Administers and controls Children's Library budget expenditures to stay within appropriate levels as assigned by Children’s Librarian II
• Selects materials for Children's Library as assigned by Children’s Librarian II by examining professional publications and other sources for selection of books, periodicals, and related materials, and by considering patron requests
• Prepares book lists, displays, bulletin boards, etc. with special emphasis on children’s interests
• Acts as a liaison with elementary schools, communicates and collaborates with school library media specialists and teachers on a regular basis, gives book talks, instruction in the use of the library, and conducts library tours
• Works with the Public Relations Librarian to promote programs. Contributes to the District newsletter, updates website events, and may also provide content for the District website and blogs
• Maintains attractive appearance of the children’s area
• Evaluates children's collection for balance, condition and comprehensiveness
• Schedules withdrawals of children's materials
• Assists in selecting personnel for children's library services in assigned branch
• Supervises and evaluates Children Services Specialist(s) in assigned location
• Directs the daily operation of the Children's Library to ensure the highest quality service as established by library policy
• Maintains working knowledge of contemporary issues, trends and technology in the library profession by attending workshops, professional meetings, and reading current literature
• Participates in job related activities of professional and community organizations
• May assume responsibility for staff and library building in the absence of the Branch Manager
• Working with Children’s Services Team to discuss district wide programming and children’s services issues

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs general library work as needed, participating in service desk rotations, assisting patrons, shelving, maintaining computers, and answering phone calls
• Participates in staff meetings and training sessions
• Examines professional publications and other sources for selection of books, and other materials

Physical Requirements

• Light physical effort required in carrying and shelving books, and in performing other typical library functions
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching and climbing.
• Ability to operate a keyboard at an efficient speed
• Frequently required to sit and talk or hear, use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move materials weighing up to 40 pounds
• Vision and hearing at or correctable to "normal ranges"

Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Note: The description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.