Early Literacy Children’s Librarian I, Boston Public Library, Boston, MA
Posted February 18, 2015
The Organization
A leading American historian has called the Boston Public Library (BPL) one of the five great libraries of the world. Over 3.5 million people visit the Boston Public Library every year to use its collection of twenty two million books, maps, manuscripts, photographs, prints, drawings and other items. Another eight million people connect with the BPL through its website www.bpl.org to use its services and the growing collection of electronic resources, downloadable media and digitized rare books, maps and manuscripts.
Among its preeminent collections, the BPL holds a first folio by William Shakespeare; original music scores by Mozart, Prokofiev and others; and the personal library of President John Adams. In addition, the BPL is home to the renowned Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, which includes over 200,000 historic maps and 5,000 atlases from all over the world. Over 10,000 programs and classes attract thousands of residents from across diverse neighborhoods and cultural groups. Award winning online and in-library homework assistance sessions, literacy classes, author programs and computer training sessions are also a popular draw.
The BPL is a department of the municipal government of Boston and a statutory charitable organization governed by a board of nine Trustees appointed by the Mayor.
Position Overview
Under the supervision and within the framework of Library policies and practices, to participate in services to a diverse population characteristic of an urban setting with emphasis on service to children and to perform professional work requiring application of professional knowledge of literature, bibliographic sources and service with a concentration on children.
Reports to
Head of Central Youth Services or ranking staff member
Supervises
As assigned, professional and support staff
Scope of Responsibility
- Assists in the development, planning and implementation of the Library’s program of services to children and families through personal consultations, reference and readers’ advisory, public training, outreach and programs for children of all ages with a focus on early literacy experiences to infants through preschoolers.
- Develops relationships with parents, caregivers, early literacy service providers, schools and other children’s organizations in the City and stimulates use of the library through outreach to these groups on a regular basis.
- Plans and conducts a variety of programs for children including early literacy based programs, story times and programs based on the latest research in infant brain development and childhood development. May collaborate with other Youth Services librarians to plan or recommend services for children.
- Performs readers’ advisory services and difficult or involved reference for the general public.
- Provides instruction to increase patrons’ skills in the use of Library resources, both print and online.
- May manage program funds assigned to children’s services.
- Shares responsibility for the development of the children’s book collection, with a special emphasis on early literacy resources, and manages appropriate materials budget. May collaborate with other Youth Services librarians and Collection Development staff for collection development.
- Assists in the compilation of annotated lists and bibliographies involving book and non-book materials.
- Responsible for oral presentations and written reports on children’s activities within the Central library.
- Participates in recommending and/or planning changes in service or new services for children, with a special emphasis on services to the library’s youngest users.
- Actively participates in system-wide committees, training and other professional activities.
- May be responsible for day-to-day operations of the department in the absence of other ranking staff member.
- Performs other related and comparable duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Knowledge of library services for children.
- Knowledge of current research in early literacy and child/brain development. Knowledge of early literacy best practices in library and community settings.
- Knowledge of children’s literature.
- Knowledge of the techniques of programming for infants through school-aged children. Interest in children and work with children.
- Willingness and ability to develop strong interactive community relationships
- Willingness to assume responsibility and carry out assignments independently.
- Good oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to use current and emerging electronic and print resources.
- Ability to work well with staff and public
- Initiative, dependability, good judgment, tact, and courtesy
Qualifications
- Education: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university and a master’s degree in library and information science from an accredited library school. Courses in children’s literature and early literacy and/or work, taken for credit, at an accredited library school. Story telling, infant brain development, and/or early literacy concept courses and/or experience desirable. In exceptional instances, specialized education, training and/or experience may be substituted for part or all of the educational requirements.
- Experience: Knowledge of children’s literature including bibliographic tools and sources pertaining to children’s literature and work; knowledge of the techniques of programming for children.
Requirements
- Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
- Residency – Must be a resident of the City of Boston upon the first day of hire.
- CORI – Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders Record Information check with the City of Boston.
Terms
- Union/Salary Plan/Grade: PSA/P-1
- Hours per week: 35
Please refer to the Salary Information section on the Boston Career Center site for more information on compensation. For each Salary Plan, salaries are listed by Grade and Step.