Harold W. McGraw Jr., Fellowship, Darien, CT
Posted December 3, 2015
An extraordinary opportunity for an extraordinary new children’s librarian.
We welcome your interest in the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Fellowship.
Harold W. McGraw, Jr. was an active supporter of Darien Library with a personal commitment to education and a belief in the important role a child’s library experiences play at the beginning of life-long literacy. The McGraw family has funded the formation of a Children’s Librarian Fellowship at Darien Library to honor his memory, through a two-year full-salaried position for a recent Master in Library Science graduate who possesses:
- Exemplary scholarship
- A passion for working with children and for the development of literacy
- Significant leadership promise
- Strong personal qualities
- A penchant for technology
The Fellowship will be open to LIS graduates from an accredited Library School in the United States or Canada who will have received his or her diploma between September 1, 2015 and September 1, 2016.
Applications will be due April 1, 2016. After initial screening, interviews for finalists will be held at a mutually convenient time and place, and the finalist will be invited to visit Darien Library for a meeting with the Fellowship Committee prior to appointment.
The successful applicant will be employed at Darien Library for two years, commencing approximately July 1, 2016, with a final employment date of June 30, 2018.
The Fellow will be paid initially at the Connecticut Library Association MLS minimum salary for entry-level positions (for 2015: $51,675) with full benefits, paid membership in CLA and ALA, and funding for attendance to national conferences.
At Darien Library you “can leap and the net will appear”. Never afraid of failure but continually allowed to prosper and work towards being a lifelong learner.
The Fellow will work as a member of the Children’s Services team, providing reference and readers’ advisory services in addition to creating and conducting programs for children and families. The Fellow will be given specific, defined, high-stakes projects and responsibilities that will be determined by the successful candidate’s skills and interests. The Fellowship will provide experience, growth, and challenges in the following areas:
- Children’s materials collection development
- Program development, implementation, and evaluation
- Marketing to defined areas of the community
- Continuing education, professional development, and support
- Access to the latest technology
Harold W. McGraw, Jr. (1918-2010), Chairman Emeritus and Former CEO, The McGraw-Hill Companies and Honorary Trustee of Darien Library, was a steadfast and generous supporter, esteemed leader, thoughtful mentor, and beloved friend. His support of the engagement, education, and entertainment of children was unwavering; it reflected his commitment to the important role of public libraries from the beginning to the end of the life of each person in the community. This Fellowship, created in honor of his memory, provides a transformational experience for a highly-qualified recent Library School graduate to learn from, and contribute to, the leading role the Children’s Library at Darien Library is playing in developing new services to children and their families.
Lisa Nowlain, 2014-2016 Fellow
All applications should include the following:
- Cover Letter
Resume/CV - Two essays: In up to 100 words, tell us “One thing I know for sure.”
In up to 500 words, tell us “Why I will make a difference at Darien Library.” - A video of no more than two minutes, in which you tell us which is your favorite children’s book and convince us to read it. Video submitted via an online link. Video can be emailed to [email protected].
- 3 References, attesting to your love of children, passion for literacy, and penchant for technology. References may be sent separately.
- Official Graduate School Transcript
- Official Undergraduate School Transcript
- Application Checklist (Attached below)
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2016 and should be delivered to:
Darien LibraryHarold W. McGraw, Jr. Fellowship
Attn: Cathy McLachlan
1441 Post Road
Darien, CT 06820
(203) 655-1234
Late applications will not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed immediately, all respondents will be advised of our decision by April 15, and first round phone interviews will be held in April. Final interviews will be completed in May 2016. The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Fellow will be selected and notified by June 1, 2016, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2016.
Queries can be addressed to [email protected]