Children’s and Young Adult Services Librarian, Boston Athenaeum, Boston, MA

Posted November 14, 2015

The Boston Athenӕum seeks a knowledgeable, tech-savvy, creative, flexible, and service-oriented Children’s and Young Adult Services Librarian to oversee the Children’s Library, comprising the Chris Library Preschool Room and the C. A. Coolidge Young Readers Room.

The Children’s Librarian oversees all activities necessary to ensure that the library provides inspiring, fine quality, age-appropriate materials, assistance, and programming for children and families. This entry-level, full-time (35 hours per week), exempt position is expected to work Saturdays and some evenings. The position, which reports to the Head of Reader Services, offers a competitive salary and excellent package of benefits. The Children’s and Young Adult Services Librarian will join the Athenæum–a storied membership library, research archive, and art collection in Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood–during a period of renewal and growth, following the adoption of a new operational plan that will inform an anticipated capital campaign. (Learn more at www.bostonathenaeum.org.)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops, manages, and presents innovative children’s programs (including story hours, discussion groups, club activities, family tours, and new initiatives) in a way that integrates programs of the Children’s Library into the institution as a whole; therefore must be able to interpret the Athenæum, its history, collections, and services to members, guests, and visitors. Develops programs to engage and increase participation from YA cohort. (30%)
• Provides reference and readers’ advisory, bibliographic instruction, and technological assistance for adults and children in print and online sources and works with reference staff to introduce readers to library collections and services while increasing visibility of collections and services (25%)
• Coordinates with Events Department to arrange author visits and special events (7%)
• Prepares content for weekly e-newsletter to dedicated list of 800 plus members (8%)
• Provides content for Children’s Library webpages (10%)
• Collects and analyzes statistics of usage. Prepares reports to share statistics with administration (2%)
• Participates in collection development and maintains a small but select collection for children and young adults (6%)
• Supervises at least one part-time graduate student intern (7%)
• Provides back-up at Circulation or Reference Desks (2%)
• Other duties as assigned (3%)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library institution required; MLS degree with a concentration in Youth Services or Children’s Literature preferred
• Minimum of one year’s experience working in a Children’s and/or Young Adult Library setting
• Knowledge of, insatiable curiosity about, and infectious enthusiasm for Children’s and Young Adult Literature
• Engaged with key issues and emerging thinking in the field
• Proficient with technology, and able to recommend and assist patrons seeking suitable web and digital library resources
• Familiar with integrated library systems required, some experience with Voyager preferred
• Diplomatic, and comfortable communicating with a range of people, from preschoolers to Trustees
• Mature, dependable, highly organized
• A self-starter with the capacity to work independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Collegial, collaborative, and diplomatic with colleagues
• Friendly, open, engaging, and respectful with patrons
• Committed to fostering diversity and supporting a culture of inclusion
• Willing to work some evenings and weekends
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds

To apply, please submit the materials listed below in a single document (Word or PDF) to [email protected]:

1. Cover letter
2. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
3. The names and contact information of three references. References will be contacted only after the applicant has been informed that s/he is a finalist.

The search committee will begin to review applications on December 14, 2015, and will continue until the position is filled. Although the specific start date is negotiable, the Athenæum seeks to fill the position by February 1, 2016.

The Boston Athenaeum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment.

The Boston Athenӕum seeks a knowledgeable, tech-savvy, creative, flexible, and service-

oriented Children’s and Young Adult Services Librarian to oversee the Children’s Library,

comprising the Chris Library Preschool Room and the C. A. Coolidge Young Readers Room.

The Children’s Librarian oversees all activities necessary to ensure that the library

provides inspiring, fine quality, age-appropriate materials, assistance, and programming

for children and families. This entry-level, full-time (35 hours per week), exempt position is

expected to work Saturdays and some evenings. The position, which reports to the Head of

Reader Services, offers a competitive salary and excellent package of benefits.

The Children’s and Young Adult Services Librarian will join the Athenæum–a

storied membership library, research archive, and art collection in Boston’s historic Beacon

Hill neighborhood–during a period of renewal and growth, following the adoption of a

new operational plan that will inform an anticipated capital campaign. (Learn more at

www.bostonathenaeum.org.)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Develops, manages, and presents innovative children’s programs (including story

hours, discussion groups, club activities, family tours, and new initiatives) in a way

that integrates programs of the Children’s Library into the institution as a whole;

therefore must be able to interpret the Athenæum, its history, collections, and

services to members, guests, and visitors. Develops programs to engage and

increase participation from YA cohort. (30%)

 Provides reference and readers’ advisory, bibliographic instruction, and

technological assistance for adults and children in print and online sources and

works with reference staff to introduce readers to library collections and services

while increasing visibility of collections and services (25%)

 Coordinates with Events Department to arrange author visits and special events

(7%)

 Prepares content for weekly e-newsletter to dedicated list of 800 plus members

(8%)

 Provides content for Children’s Library webpages (10%)

 Collects and analyzes statistics of usage. Prepares reports to share statistics with

administration (2%)

 Participates in collection development and maintains a small but select collection

for children and young adults (6%)

 Supervises at least one part-time graduate student intern (7%)

 Provides back-up at Circulation or Reference Desks (2%)

 Other duties as assigned (3%)

QUALIFICATIONS:

 Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library institution required; MLS degree

with a concentration in Youth Services or Children’s Literature preferred

 Minimum of one year’s experience working in a Children’s and/or Young Adult

Library setting

 Knowledge of, insatiable curiosity about, and infectious enthusiasm for Children’s

and Young Adult Literature

 Engaged with key issues and emerging thinking in the field

 Proficient with technology, and able to recommend and assist patrons seeking

suitable web and digital library resources

 Familiar with integrated library systems required, some experience with Voyager

preferred

 Diplomatic, and comfortable communicating with a range of people, from

preschoolers to Trustees

 Mature, dependable, highly organized

 A self-starter with the capacity to work independently and as a part of a team

 Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously

 Collegial, collaborative, and diplomatic with colleagues

 Friendly, open, engaging, and respectful with patrons

 Committed to fostering diversity and supporting a culture of inclusion

 Willing to work some evenings and weekends

 Must be able to lift 40 pounds

To apply, please submit the materials listed below in a single document (Word or PDF) to

[email protected]:

1. Cover letter

2. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

3. The names and contact information of three references. References will be

contacted only after the applicant has been informed that s/he is a finalist.

The search committee will begin to review applications on December 14, 2015, and will

continue until the position is filled. Although the specific start date is negotiable, the

Athenæum seeks to fill the position by February 1, 2016.

The Boston Athenaeum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse

backgrounds to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and

inclusive work environment.