Assistant Director, Center for Children’s Books, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL

Posted January 31, 2023

Job Summary

The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) seeks an Assistant Director, Center for Children’s Books (CCB) to work with the Director of the Center and the Editor of the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books to develop and implement strategies to retain and grow the CCB’s reputation as a national leader in youth librarianship, children’s materials, and the Youth-Information-Technology triad.

Duties & Responsibilities

Scholarly publications development:

Select digital platform for multimedia student review journal.
Create policy and procedures around a student-driven, staff-guided born-digital book and media review journal to be published semi-annually as a complement to the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books.

Editorial Management:

Work with editor of the Bulletin and student leadership to screen new books received (approximately 5000 a year) to select for review those texts that will best complement the titles reviewed by the Bulletin (e.g., new voices, perspectives, presses).
In coordination with student leadership, manage and edit all reviews for publication, including but not limited to proofreading, copy editing, and issue production.
Maintain an extensive knowledge of the genre of children’s literature, its history, its context, and its contemporary characteristics.

Teaching:

Serve as the teacher of record for IS 563 CL, a course on reviewing children’s literature, twice each calendar year.
Collaborate with Academic Affairs in vetting and supervising adjunct instructors teaching 563 CL – “Reviewing Children’s Literature.”
Supervise adjunct instructors of IS 563 CL to ensure curricular consistency and optimum student experience.
Creation, implementation, and promotion of engagement and professional development

Programming:

Design and implement outreach programming and professional development opportunities for CCB stakeholders (iSchool students and faculty, librarians, teachers, parents, youth, authors, researchers).
Collaborate with the iSchool communications staff to promote on social media and print media the CCB’s new and ongoing initiatives.

Physical Demands

Sitting: Frequently
Reaching: Rarely
Grip/Dexterity: Frequently
Talking: Frequently
Hearing: Frequently
Repetitive Motions: Frequently for computer usage
Visual Acuity: Frequently for computer usage

Additional Physical Demands
Work is performed in a general office environment.

Working Conditions

Humidity: Rarely
Temperature Changes: Occasionally

Minimum Qualifications

MSLIS or master’s degree in a related field.
One year of experience in scholarly publications, database management and social media management.
Two years of teaching experience.
Two years of book reviewing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Significant book reviewing experience.
Youth Services Librarianship and/or Youth Literature experience.
Adult education/professional development experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong project management and communication skills.
Excellent teaching record.
Deep knowledge of contemporary youth literature and media.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

To Apply

To find more information and apply for the position, please visit: https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1456?c=illinois