Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library, Waterville, ME

Posted May 29, 2018

The Waterville (Maine) Public Library is searching for a full-time Children’s Librarian to lead library services for children and youth.

 

The successful candidate will have a Master’s Degree in Library and/or Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution. In some circumstances, a combination of experience and education may substitute for this credential.

 

Salary: $35,500

 

Benefits: Two weeks starting vacation, two weeks sick time, excellent health insurance, voluntary retirement plan, 12 paid holidays

 

Interested applicants should submit a resume and meaningful cover letter to:

 

[email protected] (preferred file format: PDF)

 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under supervision of the Library Director, the Children’s Librarian oversees the management and administration of internal and external library programs and services for children from birth through grade 5. 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Demonstrate outstanding external and internal customer service to people of all ages.
• Maintain a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive atmosphere in Children’s Room and throughout the library.
• Serve as a member of the library’s leadership and management team, including actively supervising the facility and staff, and leading teams effectively.
• Provide all library users with assistance in reference, readers’ advisory, information literacy, and use of library materials and resources.
• Work with colleagues and community partners to design, promote, present, and evaluate internal and external children’s programs and activities that address expressed and anticipated community needs.
• Provide service and maintain liaisons with schools, childcare centers, community organizations, and other groups as determined by library priorities.
• Evaluate and select titles for purchase or replacement. Reevaluate and deselect materials which need to be cancelled, repaired, replaced, or redistributed.
• Serve on community and professional committees, as requested, to advance the library and the library profession.
• Maintain statistical and narrative records and reports.
• Interpret and communicate library policies and procedures to patrons and colleagues.

 

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK: 

• Enthusiasm for public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage, including youth of all ages and their caregivers/parents.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public library functions.
• Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of available and emerging technologies and their application to children’s services.
• Knowledge and appreciation of children’s literature, periodicals, audio-visual materials, electronic media, and materials.
• Awareness of trends in youth services and of issues affecting youth.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, the general public, and representatives of other agencies and organizations.
• Ability to initiate, organize, and follow through on programs, services, and projects.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, grasp, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, talk and hear. Hand-eye coordination necessary to operate computers and various office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop and crouch.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.