Chester C. Corbin Public Library
Webster, Massachusetts

 

Position Title:  Children's Librarian
 

Statement of Duties:
Professional position that is responsible for planning, organizing, implementing and maintaining a comprehensive children's program for the benefit of children and their caregivers; includes development of collection, publicizing the program, and presenting programs.  Performs all other related work as required.
 

Supervision: 
Incumbent works under the general direction of the Library Director receiving oral instructions and general suggestions. Incumbent has substantial responsibility for determining actions and substantial independence in planning and organizing the work activities, including determining the work methods. Work performed is reviewed on an ongoing basis through regular discussions. Incumbent decides most methods and practices for completing work assignments, referring unusual or questionable issues to Library Director.

Incumbent provides direct supervision to library staff and volunteers assigned to children’s services.
 

Job Environment:

• Position requirements involve evaluating children's library services, program planning, and determining actions to be taken; Develops children's programs that capture the attention and interest of young patrons; Develops dynamic and useful children's collections.
• Children's library service is structured to complement school library and educational services, as well as community child care services and the Children’s Librarian maintains regular contact with peers in schools and other children’s service agencies. Incumbent must be able to manage all situations in order to ensure that the children's library service operation is well received, managed within regular financial constraints, and valued by the community.
• The incumbent has frequent contact with the public for the purpose of answering circulation, reference and reader questions, and performing or coordinating children's programs. Other contacts are with other town departments, school teachers, and professional performers for the purpose of presenting programs to children.
   

Essential Functions:

• Plans, prepares, and presents story times and other programs for children ages 2 -12, both on and offsite.
• Plans, publicizes, and evaluate programs at holidays and school/summer vacations.
• Reads review sources to recommend age-appropriate materials for purchase; reviews children’s collection to identify materials to discard and new subjects to purchase.
• Works at children’s services desk, charging materials in and out to patrons, processing overdue fines; completing reserve requests; updating patron cards and registering new patrons.
• Performs reader's advisory and reference services, suggesting appropriate titles in response to parent, children and teacher requests. Maintains appearance of children’s room, keeping it need and attractive; developing attractive displays.
• Controls patrons’ behavior as needed to maintain appropriate noise levels.
• Engages in regular communications to ensure that the Library Director is advised of children's room needs.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by Library Director.
   

Other Functions:
Performs shelving functions as necessary in order to maintain orderliness, attractiveness, and ease in finding materials.

May be required to supervise the operation of the Library in the absence of the Library Director and Adult Services Librarian.
 

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:
Masters Degree in Library Science preferred; Bachelors degree required with an emphasis upon children's services; two to four years prior experience in children's library services, including collection development, programming, circulation, reference and readers’ advisory services.
 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of children's literature, past and present, knowledge of children's developmental stages, knowledge of appropriate materials and programs for various age groups, knowledge of computer software, systems, and basic troubleshooting, the ability to enjoy children; the ability to manage several tasks simultaneously, the ability to treat patrons’ requests with respect and confidentiality; the ability and flexibility to get along with the public and co-workers; and a commitment to connecting children with literature.
 

Physical and Mental Requirements:
The incumbent works in a moderately noisy setting with frequent interruptions. Incumbent is required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and reach with hands and arms.  The incumbent frequently lifts up to 15 lbs. The position has close vision requirements in order to read small print. Equipment operated includes office machines and computers.