Job Description
Do you love libraries and have a passion for helping young children learn to love reading?
The innovative Arapahoe Libraries has an exciting opening for an Early Literacy Librarian. If you have strong knowledge and a commitment to early childhood literacy, excellent communication and technology skills, and a track record of success working with young families, joining the highly collaborative Child & Family Library Services early literacy team may be the right step for you!
Title: EARLY LITERACY LIBRARIAN
Location: Koelbel Library, Child and Family Library Services Department
Reports to: Supervisor, Early Literacy
FLSA Status: Full-time, 40 hours, Exempt
Pay Rate: $53,700 - $67,100
Purpose: Serve as a district resource to provide library services and access to information. Function as an internal training resource and provide mentorship. Plan and develop district-wide services and programs focused on early childhood literacy.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
40% PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
- Supplies current, relevant content for the Arapahoe Libraries 0-5 web page and advisory print materials.
- Develops digital and print communications for the Child and Family Library Services Department.
- Develops and facilitates early childhood literacy programs for children ages 0-5 and caregivers, including Family Place Library programming.
- Provides patron assistance by conducting advanced patron reference and consultation through in-person or technological methods; assists patrons in the use of library. materials, technology, and databases search the catalog and collection and navigates the Internet.
- Facilitates and participates in various early literacy initiatives and large-scale speaker events.
- Collaborates with colleagues to substitute for storytimes and early literacy programs when possible.
20% TRAINING AND MENTORING
- Develops the knowledge, skills, and abilities of library staff by providing a wide spectrum of advisory trainings and services and mentoring and modeling best practices in order to expand their ability to serve children and families.
- Serves as an early literacy librarian liaison for multiple libraries and departments, assessing needs, attends meetings, provides early literacy training for new staff, shares resources, materials and ideas for children's spaces, relays relevant information, facilitates communication, and offers support in children's areas.
- Provides internal reader's advisory by routinely selecting and gathering new picture books for Child and Family Library Services staff in order to stay current. (delete)
20% STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Makes recommendations for innovative early literacy and library initiatives and offers solutions to challenges.
- Conducts research and keeps up with new trends in libraries and early childhood literacy to assist in decision making.
- Keeps up with new children's books and emerging technology for children.
- Facilitates and collaborates with internal communications and external promotional efforts for the Child and Family Library Services department.
- Advances professional knowledge and networking by representing the Arapahoe Libraries when attending community meetings, presenting and attending professional conferences, and publishing in professional journals or serving on local, state or national library committees.
- Keeps up with professional reading related to early childhood literacy, learning and development.
- Helps set priorities for adapting to systemic change.
20% COMMUNITY OUTREACH
- Collaborates with colleagues to provide outreach services at schools and other community agencies focused on children and families.
- Coordinates Begin with Books, a volunteer-based storytime service for childcare providers.
Other duties and Responsibilities:
- May collaborate across departments by participating in district efforts such as Summer Reading, technology and advisory initiatives
- May collaborate across departments to provide children's programs and events when possible
- May participate in District projects and operational efforts not specific to specialty
- May manage volunteers
- May contribute to, collaborate and make suggestions for children's collection development
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master of Library Science, Master of Library and Information Science degree, or similar library degree or ability to obtain degree within six months of hiring.
- Two years working in a library or related experience working with children.
- Ability to work effectively with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of current early literacy research and best practice.
- Willingness to complete Family Place Training.
- Ability to demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of early childhood learning theory and developmentally appropriate practice.
- Experience and confidence in developing and conducting children's programming.
- Experience with developing and conducting instructional programs and services.
- Confidence in communicating information about research-based early learning and literacy concepts, skills and practices with adults.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with staff and patrons.
- Ability to work effectively with a remote supervisor and team in multiple locations.
- Ability to work successfully and flexibly on a team and across departments.
- Advanced technology skills with cloud computing, various operating systems (such as Windows, IOS, Android, etc.) and various performance suites (such as MS Office, iWorks, Google Suite, etc.) and the ability to learn and apply new technologies quickly.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative, to work independently under tight deadlines and prioritize various projects and requests. Evidence of ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a changing environment.
- Ability to represent the Arapahoe Libraries and present information in a clear and engaging manner when working with community stakeholders and colleagues one-on-one or in group meetings, in formal and informal settings.
- Ability to exhibit leadership skills including critical thinking, active listening, risk taking, and creativity.
- Valid driver's license and with an acceptable driving record which meets District standards.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience developing digital and print communications.
- Experience conducting community outreach.
- Experience with volunteer management.
- Awareness of Family Place Libraries and Every Child Ready to Read.
- Advanced knowledge of developmentally appropriate learning toys and children's literature: board books, picture books, non-fiction books, chapter books.
Work Environment:
- Moderate noise (computers, phones, printers, staff and patron interactions).
- Ability to travel to various library locations and community outreach locations.
- Ability to work varying shifts, including evenings and weekends.
- Hybrid work arrangement. You will be required to be in the office at least two days per week.
- Ability to work effectively via Zoom, email and phone.
Physical Activities:
- Physical activities required to perform essential duties include:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50-75% of the time.
- Must be able to move around 25-50% of the time.
- Ability to lift to 40 lbs.
- Ability to carry up to 20 lbs.
- Ability to push and pull a cart weighing up to 75 lbs.
- Ability to kneel, crouch, reach and stoop 25% of the time.
This job description describes the general level of work being performed and is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties or aspects associated with the job, and may be amended anytime based on business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Inclusion and diversity are part of our values at Arapahoe Libraries. Qualified applicants who represent the diversities of the communities we serve are encouraged to apply.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
Health Benefits, Long-term Disability Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, Retirement Plan, Time-off Programs (Vacation, Sick, Holidays)
Additional Info & Requirements
Master of Library Science, Master of Library and Information Science degree, or similar library degree or ability to obtain degree within six months of hiring.
The Community
Established in 1966, the Arapahoe Library District serves more than 200,000 residents living in Arapahoe County. Arapahoe County and other major suburban counties make up the greater metropolitan area surrounding Denver, Colorado. The Arapahoe Library District operates eight branch libraries, including mobile library services, and a library at the County Detention Center, funded by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department. A seven-member Board of Trustees sets the library budget and determines policy.
HR Info
APPLY ONLINE at http://arapahoelibraries.applicantpro.com/jobs/ and select the position you are interested in. Click on “Apply Now” and create a login that will allow you to submit interest for any open position. You may also attach a resume.