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Children's Librarian - Sample 1

Position

Children's Librarian

Department

County Library

Accountable To

Library Director

Summary of Work

Provides general library services for the young library users; provides special library services such as summer reading programs, weekly story time including crafts, and other programs that enhance the lives and promotes reading to young library users,

Job Charasterics

Nature of Work

This position performs professional duties requiring adherence to standards of accuracy, timeliness, tact, and confidentiality. Position requires ability to move and shelve heavy books. Position works mainly with children and requires working varied work schedule including evenings and weekends. Consequence of errors may result in dissatisfied library users and loss of time to find and correct mistakes.

Personal Contacts

Continual contact with the children and the general public. Coordinates duties with other employees and supervisor to complete tasks.

Supervision Received

Direction from Library Director.

Essential Functions

Position requires ability to communicate orally and in writing. retrieve and return books to shelves, type, calculate, read written material, maintain files, mend books, operate a computer, operate library machines and equipment. Skills to work well with a group of children or with one child. Maintains and applies a knowledge of library automation systems.

Areas of Job Accountablity and Performance

Strives to meet the objectives of the library as established by the Board.

Organizes and gives tours of the library and its services to all students and groups of young library users. Enhances the programs of the local schools by providing consultative and classroom services.

Supervises the daily operation of the children's section of the library; organizes attractive book displays and sets the children's section of the library in order to attract young library users and encourage reading.

Acts as lead worker in promoting and planning programs for the young library users. Maintains the on-going program of special events for children such as story time and summer reading.

Provides direction to library staff and volunteers as they shelve and assist in the children's section. Maintains circulation records and reports as required by the library director and/or other agencies.

Assists with collection management of the children's section, including inventory, assessing, weeding, purchasing, adding gifts and technical processing.

Train young library users to search for information by following an appropriate inquiry process using books and/or electronics resources.

Serves all library users by assisting with reference questions as needed; answers the phone as needed. Works at the circulation desk when assigned. Checks in library materials and shelves materials. Performs related duties as required.

Job Requirements

Knowledge

This position requires a thorough knowledge of library practices, procedures and techniques; knowledge of children's literature and children's reading programs and activities; a working knowledge of the laws, regulations and departmental policies pertaining to library services.

Skills

This position requires skills in dealing with children, providing activities, and in the use of computers and library equipment.

Abilities

Position requires ability to: be creative, have imagination; read aloud; direct craft activities; supervise assistants and volunteers; establish good rapport with children; establish discipline; pay attention to accuracy; work with interruptions; maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, other agencies, and the public; communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing.

Education and Experience

The above knowledge, skills, ability are usually acquired through a combination of education and/or experience equivalent to:

  • A Bachelor's Degree with library and/or literature credits.
  • Experience working in a public library is preferred.
  • Current state certification is preferred.
  • Strong interest in reading preferred.

Job Performance Standards

Evaluation of this position will be based primarily upon performance of the preceding requirements and duties. Examples of job performance criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Performs assigned duties.
  • Meets the objectives of the library as established by the Board.
  • Competently provides programs and activities for young library users.
  • Provides for attractive displays and settings to encourage reading.
  • Efficiently processes books as needed.
  • Competently recommends purchases for children's collection.
  • Effectively assists all library patrons in the use of the library.
  • Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Maintains accurate and timely records.
  • Deals tactfully and courteously with the public.
  • Keeps work areas neat.
  • Observes work hours.
  • Demonstrates punctuality.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors and the public.