Head of Children’s Services, Patten Free Library, Bath, ME
Posted October 3, 2022
Description:
The Patten Free Library, located in Bath, Maine, is a private non-profit library that serves the City of Bath and the Towns of Arrowsic, Georgetown, West Bath, and Woolwich. (Total population served is app. 15,279.) This full-time, salaried, professional-level position is responsible for managing and administering all aspects of children’s services, including developing and maintaining the children’s collections, services, and programs, and supervising staff and volunteers. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Library Director.
Some evening and weekend hours required.
Salary: $54,000-$58,000
Benefits: Sick, vacation, and holiday pay; health and dental insurance; life insurance; short and long-term disability; retirement plan.
Duties:
- Plans, promotes, conducts and implements children’s programs including storytimes, after school programs, weekend programs, school and community outreach, summer reading, school vacation and other special events.
- Evaluates and selects all children’s materials for purchase, including print, audio/visual, and digital titles. Maintains and weeds collections as needed.
- Recruits, hires, trains, schedules and evaluates department staff. May participate in staff selection and training for other departments.
- Supervises volunteers.
- Establishes and maintains partnerships with area children’s agencies and organizations.
- Provides reference and reader’s advisory services.
- Performs circulation functions as needed, including issuing library cards and staffing the children’s circulation desk.
- Performs troubleshooting of computers in the Children’s Room.
- Assists and advises the Director with the composition and implementation of library policies.
- May serve on board and/or library committees.
- Participates and cooperates with other department heads and the Director in achieving the overall objectives and goals of the Library.
- Participates in library fundraising activities.
- Attends professional meetings, workshops, and conferences.
- Speaks in public as an advocate for children’s library services.
Performance knowledge, skills, abilities and personal characteristics:
- Extensive knowledge of children’s literature.
- Knowledge of the principles and techniques of creative and innovative children’s programming.
- Knowledge of child development.
- Ability to foster positive community relations.
- Ability to carry out assignments independently.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to manage a budget.
- Ability to work as part of a team; good problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal skills; good listening skills.
- Initiative; innovativeness; resourcefulness; tact; good judgment.
Qualifications:
A Master’s Degree in Library or Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution; at least three years working in children’s services in a public library; supervisory experience; children’s programming and collection development experience. Cataloging experience a plus.
How to Apply:
Please email cover letter and resume to Lesley Dolinger, Library Director, at [email protected]. Applications accepted until the position is filled.