LIBRARY Children’s Librarian

DEFINITION

Position is responsible for performing administrative and supervisory functions of the Children’s Department, including collection development, reference, readers advisory, planning, organizing and directing programs, circulation and intra-network services, and responding to inquiries, requests, and complaints from patrons.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

 Manages the Children’s Department; promotes quality public relations; maintains welcoming environment, attending to organization and arrangement of physical surroundings; designs promotional or seasonal displays and exhibits; researches and designs programming materials.  Provides professional and individualized reference services to children of all ages and abilities, responding to requests through research or referral; Provides guidance and instruction on research methods; instructs children in effective evaluation and application of print and online information; provides expert advice and recommendations to patrons in choosing appropriate reading materials; promotes reading.  Selects, evaluates, develops children’s collection through analysis of children’s’ interests and learning development needs, selecting and/or withdrawing library materials for Children’s Room to suit users’ needs with regard to quality, quantity, reading levels and formats; monitors acquisitions budget; reviews donated material for possible addition to collection.  Classifies children’s materials according to format, reading level and genre; catalogs materials into the database catalog according to professional standards; supervises or processes orders for children’s books and other materials. Maintains vendor contacts and reconciles issues; supervises physical preparation and organization of library materials for public use, ensuring quality and consistency; determines the replacement, rebinding, repair or disposal of worn or damaged materials.  Performs circulation and inter-library loan functions, checking out, discharging, renewing, recalling and routing library materials. Searches network database for materials requested by patrons, reserves materials with attention to format, and informs patrons of their arrival. Registers new borrowers and instructs young patrons about borrowing privileges; issues and collects charges for lost, damages or overdue materials, reconciling patron records.

FLSA Exempt 360 G November 2016 1  Designs, plans, coordinates and promotes age appropriate programs, activities and events; determines appropriate audience, registers participants, schedules volunteers, selects performers, designs and produces program materials, procures and provides refreshments; records attendance statistics. Plans and performs story times, book talks, craft programs, school visits and library tours.  Explains and interprets library programs, procedures and policies to patrons; responds to patron requests, inquiries, and/or complaints and makes referrals as needed.  Maintains communications with school librarians, teachers, Scout leaders, early childhood educators to provide services and coordinate programs; remains abreast of current children’s literature, child development, curriculum standards, other pertinent issues; attends professional library seminars and conferences; reads professional literature; participates in staff meeting discussions; prepares reports and correspondence.  Participates in consortium committees, monitors communications to implement and coordinate changes in policies and procedures.  Works at all public service desks and services as backup to other public departments as needed, responding to patron requests for Circulation reference, and instructional services  Responsible for securing the building in the absence of the custodian  Participates in the interview process for departmental employee candidates  Performs similar or related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under general direction, employee plans and prioritizes the majority of work independently, in accordance with standard practices and previous training. Employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions accordingly. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The supervisor, as a regular and continuing part of the job, is accountable for the quality and quantity of work done by subordinates and assures the accomplishment of the assigned work in the prescribed manner. The incumbent gives advice and instruction on both administrative and work matters; informs subordinates of organizational policies, goals and procedures; resolves employee complaints and recommends disciplinary actions, such as oral warnings and reprimands; has substantial responsibility for technical soundness of subordinates’ work.

FLSA Exempt 360 G November 2016 2 ACCOUNTABILITY

The nature of the professional or technical work means that errors in analysis, techniques or recommendations would probably be difficult to detect. Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment could result in excessive costs, delay of service delivery, or legal repercussions.

JUDGMENT

The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of professional principles, policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations.

COMPLEXITY

The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Relationships are constantly with co-workers, the public, vendors, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance, including departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Employee has access to sensitive, private and confidential information in the performance of their duties.

FLSA Exempt 360 G November 2016 3 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from accredited college or university or have completed at least two-thirds of the required credits and be currently enrolled in the graduate program. One to three years of library experience or a related area or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability to obtain certification from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS

Knowledge: Knowledge of library sciences, and library management principles, practices and procedures; knowledge of programs, services, and department operations; strong knowledge of children’s literature and reference resources, knowledge of child development and issues as they pertain to the position, reading acquisition skills, and MA State Curriculum Frameworks, and knowledge of Internet website evaluation and production.

Abilities: The ability to communicate effectively with children and parents; supervise, train, and direct staff and volunteers; manage multiple detailed tasks through frequent interruptions; and resolve conflicts with tact and diplomacy, maintain harmonious working relationships.

Skills: Storytelling, grant writing, computer, business, oral and written communication and customer service skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical library. Noise and disruptive behavior of patrons may be distracting. Incumbent may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to emergency situations or to attend special programs.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS

Physical Skills

Physical demands are required to perform much of the work. The work involves periods of standing, with intermittent periods of reaching, stooping, and walking. May be required to lift or move objects such as book trucks, boxes of books, office supplies, and office supplies and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.

Motor Skills

Duties are both mental and physical, but the job may occasionally require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment. Manuel dexterity may be needed for processing materials, laminating, cutting, pasting, crafting and similar activities. FLSA Exempt 360 G November 2016 4 Visual Skills

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes and viewing a computer monitor.

FLSA Exempt 360 G November 2016 5