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Children’s Community Engagement Librarian, Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington, IN

Posted February 26, 2020

Children’s and Tweens Audiences

The ideal candidate has demonstrated interest and aptitude for STEAM programming, especially for helping tweens learn coding and digital creativity skills, as well as an appreciation for graphic novels, and understanding of the Public Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read initiative. This position works primarily with children up to age 12, but also supports the Library’s Teen Space, open to ages 12-19. 

 

Essential Functions

I have excellent communication skills and extensive knowledge of the Library’s services, policies, and objectives, as well as with one or more audience and subject specialty and with Library content.

I employ my skills and knowledge to proactively engage with organizations and individuals providing services that reach my audience, thereby ensuring Library service is reaching current and new audiences and meets important community needs.  This engagement includes participating in community organizations, events, and initiatives; creating and sustaining partnerships; participating on boards, forums and local market research and planning initiatives; and communicating through traditional and new media.

I plan, implement, and assess programs (including events, displays, online content, and other aspects) at the Library and in the community.  My engagement with the community enables me to continue successful ongoing programs and to reach new audiences through innovative programs. My emphasis on partnering enables my programs to complement, rather than duplicate, those of other organizations.  I actively promote and highlight the Library’s services and resources, with a distinct focus on promoting programs to potential customers, partners, and the community.

I stay abreast of and contribute to research, best practices, and innovations within my areas of expertise.  I accomplish this by taking advantage of professional development opportunities locally and through regional and national organizations relevant to my fields.

I provide front-line services an average of 8-12 hours a week in various locations, in order to maintain familiarity with customer needs and preferences and with Library content.

I use my audience and subject expertise to evaluate the Library’s content and services, proactively making recommendations to keep them relevant.  I provide oversight for Library resources and content related to my area(s) of expertise.

 

Direction and Development

I am responsible for communicating ideas, issues, and potential solutions to the Community and Customer Engagement Managers and my core audience strategist.

I mentor other Library employees and help them learn specific audience, subject, and content knowledge, as well as processes.  Other Librarians and Customer Service Assistants regularly consult me as a resource when they are faced with in-depth customer needs.

I may serve as a person in charge and participate in related training(s).

 

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

An individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Teams

I participate on my core audience team to plan programs in alignment with Library priorities, identify partners, and coordinate assessment.

I collaborate with the Communications/Marketing Unit to promote and highlight the Library’s services and resources, with a distinct focus on promoting programs to potential customers, partners, and the community.

I may participate in additional Teams as needed.

 

Each Essential Job Function, as described above, meets one or more of following criteria: 

  1. Core purpose of position; removing function would fundamentally change this position.

  2. Expertise (knowledge, experience, education, credentials, etc.) required to perform this duty.

  3. Limited number of employees available to perform function.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Demonstrated experience in building collaborative relationships has a passion for engaging community, and a positive and enthusiastic approach to working with multiple stake-holders.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills for interacting with customers, employees and outside contacts; ability to be consistently pleasant, positive, and responsive to a diverse public and staff.

  • Excellent listening and communication skills; demonstrates articulate and persuasive written and verbal skills.

  • Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

  • Demonstrated experience in programming/event planning for a diverse population.

  • Demonstrated ability to lead and/or work as part of a team.

  • Good organizational and time management skills; demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, coordinate, and implement projects and services and consistently meet deadlines.

  • Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills.

  • Ability to learn, adapt, and promote new software and equipment technologies.

  • Good knowledge of library policies and procedures.

  • Knowledge of public library and business computer applications with the ability to learn and adapt to new software and equipment technologies.

  • Fluency in second language considered helpful.

 

Required Education/ Experience and License/Certifications

  • Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS) from an ALA accredited college or university required.

  • One year of related library experience required; familiarity with various reference processes required.

  • One year of related experience working with community engagement, and programming preferred.

  • One year of professional leadership preferred.

  • May require additional education in specialized area(s).

  • Valid driver’s license and proof of insurability.

  • Indiana Public Library Certification – Level 3 required. ALA-accredited MLS degree (or equivalent).

 

Working Conditions and Requirements

  • Regularly sitting and performing various repetitive actions and extensive use of keyboards, mice monitors, and varied digital devices, requires using hands to finger, handling or feeling and repetitive motions.

  • Frequently standing, walking, moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, and moving from one work site to another.

  • Work has standard vision requirements; frequent speaking, vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.

  • Frequent to occasional travel, entering and exiting vehicles, driving, moving, and carrying materials to and from various locations.

  • Occasional moderate lifting (25 lbs.) and infrequent heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs.). Assistance with excessive loads is required.

  • Normal library working conditions; moderate exposure to office/maintenance chemicals (cleaning solutions, glue, paint, etc.).

  • Occasional exposure to fluctuations in interior conditions such as noise and temperatures.

  • May encounter exposure to outside elements, heat, cold, rain, snow, ice, etc. when traveling on library business.

  • Infrequent climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms.

  • Very infrequent physical contact with patrons; infrequent exposure to blood-borne pathogens, and other bodily fluids.

 

Hours/Week:

Full-Time, 37.5 Hrs./Wk.

Compensation:

Hourly Rate: $19.86+ Depending on Experience

 

Certification(s): 

Indiana Public Library (IPL) Certification (or ability to obtain) Librarian Level 3 according to Indiana Code 36-12-11-6 guidelines, required.

 

Supervision Received

Receives general oversight. Uses a wide range of procedures and methods to meet job responsibilities. Refers only complex questions and problems to manager; most often accompanied with information, data, and solutions.

 

Supervision Exercised

Provides leadership, assists in setting standards for area of expertise, and is accountable for results. Participates in resolving challenges related to services and library-wide issues. Collaborates in the development of objectives and evaluating effectiveness, recommends changes to achieve goals. Participates in mentoring and assists with employee professional development. Participate in Librarian-in-Charge rotation.

 

To view the full position and apply, please visit the following link. 

 

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