Children’s Librarian (Part-Time), Blaisdell Memorial Library, Nottingham, NH

Posted May 3, 2019

The Blaisdell Memorial Library in Nottingham, NH seeks a creative, energetic professional with a passion for providing excellent library service to children and families. The Children’s Librarian will instill a love of reading, libraries, and learning by providing a welcoming atmosphere, delivering quality programs, and maintaining an outstanding collection through traditional and innovative methods. The successful candidate will have a positive outlook, strong customer service skills, flexibility, a good sense of humor, and be a team player. As a small library our staff wear many hats and work closely together to best serve our patrons.

The Blaisdell Memorial Library is in interior Rockingham County, 15 miles from the University of New Hampshire, with easy access to major highways, exceptional natural resources, and a wide range of recreational opportunities. The library serves a supportive community of approximately 5,000, has 2,800 library patrons, an annual circulation of 40,000 from its collection of over 18,800 items, and hosts a variety of programs for children, teens, and adults.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provide a broad range of services for children, primarily ages 6 and older, concentrating on maintaining the children’s collection and creative programming for that age group.

• Plan, develop, schedule, and implement a variety of creative, enriching, and educational library programs for school aged children throughout the school year and during the summer. Programs occur weekly and monthly during after-school and/or evening and weekend time slots.

• Manage the advertising of children’s programs including the development of promotional materials and flyers, as well as social media (Facebook & Instagram) and the library website.

• Keep statistical records for children’s programs and attendance.

• Perform regular collection development duties for the children’s room, including reading professional publications and book reviews, selecting relevant titles, and weeding.

• Is responsible for keeping the children’s area neat and orderly including the regular development of relevant and engaging book displays and bulletin boards.

• Collaborate with other children’s department staff on scheduling, programs, procedures and other departmental needs. As well as coordinating with the Assistant Director monthly department meetings.

• Seek out grant opportunities to supplement and diversify the children’s collection and programs.

• Attend conferences and participate in professional development opportunities as initiated by self or suggested by the director.

• Duties also include shelving and shelf reading, readers’ advisory, assisting with implementing the children’s summer reading program, creating library displays, circulation and other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of childhood development and experience working with children ages 6 and older is required.

• Knowledge of children’s literature. Ability to cultivate good public relations, to work with parents and young patrons, to create and implement age-appropriate programs using a variety of media, and to nurture interest in reading, arts, culture and music.

• Ability to interact and communicate courteously and effectively with the public and with other staff in a courteous and tactful manner, both verbally and in writing.

• Exceptional interpersonal communication, problem solving, customer relations and teamwork skills.

• High energy and an enthusiasm for public library services.

• Ability to handle a great many details, some simultaneously, with accuracy.

• Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work independently.

• Ability to use Internet searching methods, apps, devices, and information resources.

• Must be able to type and have good computer skills, including proficiency of email, Word, Google Drive, Publisher, Excel, and social media.

• Due to the nature of the job’s tasks candidate must be able to push or pull carts, do a moderate amount of bending, squatting, lifting (up to 40 lbs.) stretching and standing for an extended period.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA
• Library degree is preferred – but a combination of appropriate education and experience may be acceptable
• Experience working with young children, preferably in programming
• Knowledge of library practices and services, children’s literature and developmental levels and needs.

Salary: $16 – $19 per hour, depending upon experience

Schedule: 21 hours/week + 5 hours/month

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday (1/month): 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Application Details: The position is open until filled. Please email cover letter and resume to Cara Marsh, director, at [email protected] .