FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT ABBOTT LIBRARY YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S LIBRARIAN, (Sunapee, NH)

Posted October 12, 2023

The Abbott Library is looking for a dynamic and creative individual to be our Youth and
Children’s Librarian. We seek an enthusiastic innovator who is motivated to instill a life-long
love of libraries in our youngest patrons. The Abbott Library is a welcoming and professional
environment that enjoys tremendous support from its community.
Duties specific to the position include: (1) development, maintenance and cataloging of the
children’s and youth collections; (2) planning programming for toddlers, preschoolers, and
elementary, middle, and high school students and their families, including seasonal reading
programs, presentations, interactive sessions, and after-school enrichment programs; (3) readers’
advisory; and (4) initiating and engaging in community outreach. General library duties will
include assisting patrons, shelving, registering new patrons, data entry and special projects. The
Youth and Children’s Librarian reports to the Library Director.
Ideal candidates will have knowledge of children’s literature and programming, enjoy working
with children, and be personable, cheerful, and professional. Candidates must have basic
computer skills and Internet searching skills.
This full-time position comes with a generous benefits package including health and dental
insurance, paid sick and vacation time and enrollment in the New Hampshire Retirement System
benefit pension plan.
The starting hourly rate of pay is $22.72 with the possibility of a step increase following
successful completion of a six-month probationary period. An MLS degree or equivalent library
experience is preferred. A full job description is available on request.

How to Apply

A resume and cover letter may be emailed to [email protected]. Applications received
by November 3, 2023, will receive first consideration. The position will be open until filled.

GENERAL SUMMARY
This position works in the Abbott Library and is responsible for administrative work involving a broad
range of public library functions including excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable service to all library
patrons with an emphasis on service to children and work requiring application of professional
knowledge of literature, bibliographic sources and services with a concentration on children.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Youth and Children’s Librarian Duties
a. Executes library policies and the directions of the Director in all areas of library operation.
b. Assumes responsibility for library operations in Director and Assistant Director’s absence.
c. May assist Director in a variety of strategic areas including: developing new policies, budget
preparation, long-range planning, preparing statistical and narrative reports, managing
Automated Library System, and developing a procedure manual, emergency procedures, and
other aids for staff and volunteers.
d. May assist Director in community relations, selection and training of new staff, evaluating staff,
managing volunteers, and following volunteer best practices.
e. May assist the Director with grant writing and fundraising efforts.
f. Leads and participates in outreach through events and programs off-site.
g. May participate in recommending and/or planning changes in service or new services for
children and youth.
Programming
a. Plans and implements programming for toddlers, preschoolers, elementary, middle and high
school students and their families, such as story hours, book talks, craft programs, puppetry,
book discussion groups, clubs, live animal presentations, games, movie nights, and seasonal
reading programs.
b. Plans and implements regular after-school programs for elementary students.
c. Manages program funds assigned to children’s services.
d. Through attendance at professional conferences and review of professional journals, remains
aware of emerging trends in children’s programming and pursues new initiatives.
e. Develops collaborative relationships with outside organizations and entities to stimulate
community use of the library’s resources, especially through schools, and other agencies which
serve children and their families. Such collaborative relationships would include work on
summer reading lists for students and the Reading Counts tests.
Collection Development
a. Selects new materials for library collections by evaluating review journals, publishers’ catalogs
and other on-line professional resources.
b. May approve or disapprove patrons’ requests for new materials by locating and evaluating
reviews.
c. Under the direction of the Director, manages the materials budgets for children’s and youth
books, DVDs, and other items.
d. Prepares new materials for circulation by labeling items based on the library’s classification
system. Places audio-visual materials into the proper cases. Edits records within local library

collection.
e. Catalogs books and other materials.
f. Under the direction of the Director, analyzes existing collections for weaknesses and orders
materials to upgrade subject areas.
g. Under the direction of the Director, determines whether to withdraw, replace, or rebind
materials in the collection and works with library staff that assist with this process.
h. Assists in the purchasing of book processing supplies.
i. Advises the Library Director of any materials or books needed for programs and procures such
items with the Director’s approval.
Readers’ Advisory
a. Uses knowledge of the children’s and youth book collections to prepare readers’ advisories and
other written/graphic library aids.
b. Uses knowledge of the children’s and youth book collections to assist both children and adults
with the selection of books appropriate for all children’s reading levels.
General Library Duties and Responsibilities
a. Helps establish and maintain a high customer service performance standard.
b. Works at staff circulation desk as needed. Greets patrons when they enter the library and
performs all circulation duties, including: checking in and out library materials, notifying patrons
of holds, placing holds for patrons, registering new borrowers, maintaining current patron
information, and collecting fines and other fees for faxing or copies. Tracks Internet usage and
patron questions. Records patron attendance of all library programs.
c. Provides readers’ advisory, reference and technology help as needed. Assists patrons with
locating library materials, assists patrons with access to Internet workstations, assists patrons
with making photocopies and scans and assists in managing the meeting rooms and meeting
room scheduling.
d. Opens and closes the library as needed. At opening, assists with the emptying of the exterior
book drop. At closing, assists with shutting down all computers, entering daily statistics,
turning off all lights and locking all doors before leaving the building.
e. Ensures safe conditions for staff, public, and building operation. Takes appropriate action in
emergencies.
f. Creates or oversees creation of library displays.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Attends professional meetings, workshops, and classes.
b. Other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
a. Youth and Children’s Librarian reports to the Library Director.
b. Youth and Children’s Librarian shall abide by the library’s mission statement and policies and
work to further the goals of the library.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include the Abbott Library’s policies and procedures, the Town of Sunapee Employee
Handbook, American Library Association’s (ALA) code of ethics, New Hampshire RSAs, and other
relevant local, state and federal laws.

COMPLEXITY
The position includes a variety of complex duties and responsibilities including:
a. Ability to understand library principles, practices and policies and how to implement them within
the day-to-day function of a public library.
b. Ability to exercise independent judgment and consult the Director as necessary.
c. Ability to plan and implement children’s, youth, and family programs.
d. Ability to judge the suitability of materials vis-à-vis the Abbott Library Collection Development
Policy
e. Ability to purchase materials not to exceed the annual budgeted amount for the collection.
f. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with library staff, employees in
other town departments, volunteers, and patrons.
SCOPE AND EFFECT
The scope of the position includes performing tasks required to maintain day-to-day operations within
the library and performing tasks required for the long-term, strategic advancement of the library.
PERSONAL CONTACTS
Contacts are typically made with the Library Director, other library staff, library patrons and the general
public, as well as organizations in the community and their representatives. The contacts may also
include committees or groups in a non-structured to well-structured setting.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
The purpose is to provide outstanding service to all library patrons.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
a. Supervises the Children’s Library Aide and volunteers working on projects related to
children’s, youth, and young adult programming, collection development, and
circulation.
b. When the Director and the Librarian/Assistant Director are off duty, the Youth and
Children’s Librarian shall assume the authority and responsibility of making all decisions
and of being the person in charge of other people working in the library.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Experience
a. Knowledge of children’s literature including bibliographic tools and sources pertaining to
children’s literature and work.
b. Knowledge of the techniques of programming for children.
c. Interest in children and in library work with children.
d. Willingness and ability to develop strong interactive community relationships.
e. Willingness and ability to assume responsibility and carry out assignments
independently.
f. Good oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to search the Internet
and other electronic databases.
g. Knowledge of library principles, methods, materials, and practices of library operation.
h. Knowledge of the theories, objectives, principles and practices of public administration
as applied to a public library.
i. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors,

subordinates, officials of other agencies and the general public.
j. Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written communications.
k. Ability to assess reader interest.
l. Ability to offer patrons basic and intermediate help with technology devices, software
and apps.
m. Ability to use audio-visual technology, office equipment and library systems.
n. Ability to perform routine work well; to follow instructions and to accept responsibility.
o. Ability to arrange books alphabetically and numerically.
p. Neat, clean, friendly, can-do attitude with other staff and patrons, and willingness to
accommodate all patrons.
q. Commitment to expand skills and knowledge through continuing education courses
and workshops.
r. Sufficient general knowledge of everyday library procedures to permit running the library in
the Library Director and Assistant Library Director’s absence.

Education
Master’s degree in library science is preferred. Equivalent library experience may be considered.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
Valid driver’s license or access to public transportation.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE & USE REQUIREMENTS
N/A
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:
a. for communicating with others, talking is required;
b. for receiving information and instructions from others, hearing is required; and
c. for doing the job effectively and correctly, sight is required, specifically, close vision and the
ability to adjust focus.
d. Possible exposure to photocopier fumes, inks and adhesives while performing work.
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with the assistance of
a reasonable accommodation to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use
hands to finger, handle, feel or grasp; reach, grasp and torque with hands and arms; to speak, see, hear
and smell. Then employee must occasionally lift, carry, and move up to 25 pounds, frequently reach
above and below shoulder height, and frequently required to push and /or pull. Other physical
demands include frequently twisting, bending, crawling, squatting, kneeling, crouching, climbing and
balancing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Approximately 90% of the work is performed inside the library. Approximately 75% of the work is
performed on a computer.
The employee will be expected to travel to various local, state and regional meetings and conferences.
WORK SCHEDULE
a. The Youth and Children’s Services Librarian is a full-time position and will be paid
according to the Town of Sunapee Labor Grade 11.
b. Total work week hours for which the Youth and Children’s Librarian shall be paid are
determined by the Board of Trustees and administered by the Library Director.
c. The library shall observe the holidays identified in the Town of Sunapee Employee
Handbook.
d. Vacations shall be taken by the Youth and Children’s Librarian only with the pre-approval
of the Library Director.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined
under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as
listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by
management on a case-by-case basis.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 23 November 2008
Amended and approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 26 Jan 2010
Amended and approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 29 January 2019
Amended and approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 8 September 2022
Amended and approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 28 September 2023