Early Childhood Outreach Librarian

Are the words I know you! You came to my school! music to your earsCan you bring an entire crowd into a fit of giggles with your reading of Mr. S by Monica ArnaldoAre you passionate about supporting early childhood educators with the resources they need to help their students succeedIf you answered yes to all these questions you might just be our next Early Childhood Outreach Librarian!

As the Early Childhood Outreach Librarian you will:

• make connections and develop relationships with daycares preschools and other organizations that serve young children and their families.
• prepare and present literacy and fun filled storytimes out in our community.
• advocate for our youngest patrons and their needs.
• create and implement services and resources for preschool kindergarten and daycare teachers.
• collaborate with other library staff to support wider community engagement initiatives.
• develop assigned collections to ensure that young children and their families feel welcomed and valued.
• provide reference and readers advisory services at the public desk.

SCHEDULE:Full-time non-exempt position; 37.5 hours per week.

• Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm
• Thursday 1pm to 9pm
• Participation in theweekend rotation:
  • Friday 11am to 7pm approximately every 7 weeks
  • Saturday 9am to 5pm & Sunday 11am to 5pm approximately every 4 weeks

While this is the preferred schedule consideration may be given to alternative weekday shifts provided it meets department needs.

BENEFITS

Medical dental and vision benefits are offered. Part of the total compensation package also includes paid time off benefits (paid holidays vacation time personal days and sick leave) participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) pension plan 457 retirement savings plan pet insurance and a commuter transit benefit.

PURPOSE

Under the direct supervision of the Department Head the Early Childhood Outreach Librarian builds relationships with organizations who provide services for young children (birth-kindergarten) and their families. This position facilitates the development coordination implementation and assessment of outreach services to daycares and schools within the community. The Early Childhood Outreach Librarian also creates and evaluates content for outreach programming collection development in addition to providing readers advisory and reference services on the public service desk.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position consists of the following essential duties:

• Outreach Planning and Coordination (approx. 45%)
• Public Service (approx. 30%)
• Collection Development (approx. 15%)

Other non-essential duties include programming activity and other departmental administrative tasks.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach

1. Coordinates implements and presents outreach programming for children from birth-kindergarten in preschool and daycare settings.
2. Coordinates and collaborates with early literacy programs in local schools to develop services and programming.
3. Coordinates the implementation of the early childhood portion of the Outreach Summer Reading Program and assists in directing the workload of temporary staff.
4. Collaborates with other outreach team members to develop new outreach programming/services for families with young children.
5. Coordinates and maintains the book bag service to local preschool and daycares and selects materials to fill book bag requests as assigned.
6. Composes newsletters and brochures for preschools and daycare programs.
7. Prepares reports and compiles statistics relating to outreach.
8. Monitors current trends in public libraries specifically focusing on outreach.

Public Service

1. Assists patrons at the public desk in locating materials
2. Applies MPPL-values-based customer service
3. Provides reference and readers advisory services
4. Serves as in-charge staff when assigned
5. Fulfills and/or reviews book bags as requested by community members
6. Assists patrons in the use of equipment items in the public service area

Collection Development

1. Participates in collection development including the promotion evaluation selection and weeding of assigned youth collections
2. Compiles booklists and prepares displays

Other

1. Coordinates implements and presents professional development opportunities and programming for those who provide daycare services.
2. Plans prepares and presents field trips for those in kindergarten and younger.
3. Plans and presents story times and programs in the department as needed.
4. Attends appropriate meetings workshops and seminars
5. Serves on committees and community groups as assigned
6. Supervises volunteers when assigned
7. Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Masters degree in library science from an ALA accredited library school required (or equivalent education and/or work experience). Prior experience with children and childrens programming desirable.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Knowledge & Ability

• Ability to access input and retrieve data from the computer

• Knowledge of library policies and procedures

• Knowledge in the use of the Integrated Library System

• Knowledge of readers advisory and reference/service interview techniques

• Knowledge of online search strategies

• Knowledge of childrens books and materials

• Knowledge of outreach trends for libraries

• Knowledge and skill in the use of various computer applications and electronic devices

• Ability to operate a two-way radio and telephone

Behavioral Skills

1. Communication. Able to clearly present information through the spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; talk with customers or clients; listen well.

2. Customer Focus. Able to demonstrate a high level of service delivery; do what is necessary to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction; deal with service failures and prioritize customer needs.

3. Flexibility. Able to remain open-minded and change opinions on the basis of new information; perform a wide variety of tasks and change focus quickly as demands change; manage transitions effectively from task to task; adapt to varying customer needs.

4. Initiative. Able to bring about great results from ordinary circumstances; prepare for problems or opportunities in advance; transform leads into productive business outcomes; undertake additional responsibilities and respond to situations as they arise without supervision.

5. Planning Prioritizing & Goal Setting. Able to prepare for emerging customer needs; manage multiple projects; determine project urgency in a meaningful and practical way; use goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans; organize and schedule people and tasks.

6. Relationship Management. Able to develop rapport with others and recognize their concerns and feelings; build and maintain long-term associations based on trust; help others.

7. Supporting Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Able to adapt behavior to others styles; interact effectively with people who have different values cultures or backgrounds; optimize the benefits of having a diverse inclusive and equitable workforce.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a typical library environment.