Job Description
The Family Literacy Coordinator will focus on reading success for all ages by providing
program design and support for fostering a love of reading and lifelong learning, and
connect families with the Wichita Public Library. In addition to support for these
offerings, this position will form relationships with partners at a leadership level, form
relationships with home childcare providers, partner with organizations supporting early
learners and families, ensure the library supports the reading needs of teens and adults,
provide support to staff working with emerging readers, and help the library stay
apprised of changes impacting reading success in our city. A Family Literacy
Coordinator will provide the support needed for staff, volunteers, and partners to provide
excellent service to those learning to read and diverse community needs.
Distinguishing Features of Work
This is professional library work. This position coordinates and participates in the
planning, delivery, and evaluation of assigned system-wide library services. Helps
develop and deliver public programs, services and staff training that supports the
Library’s strategic initiatives and core services. Provides quality customer assistance to
all ages, and applies learning and developmental principles when designing service
appropriate to any audience. Actively represents the Library in community activities,
develops and responds to partnership opportunities, and promotes Library services and
collections.
Examples of Work Performed
• Delivers high-quality, customer-focused services to customers of all ages; will be
assigned a specific area of coordination that enacts Library initiatives and services.
• Develops, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates departmental public and staff
programs and trainings as appropriate to area of coordination.
• Participates on committees and projects, may serve as project manager; prepares
reports and recommendations, may manage projects
• Develops and maintains partnerships with outside agencies and community
organizations; identifies and recommends service opportunities.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with learners and their families,
volunteers, tutors, library staff and others in support of reading success.
• Participates in the development and implementation of annual work plans, including
a broad range of thinking - from strategic to logistical. Actively uses continuous
process improvement principles in all aspects of work.
• Assists in the evaluation of programs and services, uses metrics and outcome-
based decision making.
• Develops, delivers, and evaluates public and staff programs and trainings as
appropriate to defined area of coordination.
• Routinely consults with branch staff and provides tools and resources within the area
of coordination (e.g., responds to and trouble-shoots questions, provides routine
communications across the department, identifies training or program opportunities,
etc.).
• Manages assigned budgets, participates in personnel hiring teams, writes reports
and proposals, and participates in routine administrative tasks (e g, meetings,
procedural development, documentation, etc.).
• Provides complex reference and readers’ advisory services to customers in person,
on the phone, and online.
• Assists with core branch operations duties as needed (e.g. circulation, collection
management and performance, library accounts, public technology assistance).
• Brings matters of public concern regarding waste, inefficiency, corruption,
discrimination, and safety to the attention of managers.
• Accurately communicates the Library’s policies to members of the public in all job-
related contacts.
• Positively reflects Wichita Public Library’s mission, vision, and values to members of
the public and to staff.
• Performance of duties may require the use of a vehicle.
• Performs a variety of functions to include other duties as assigned or required.
Requirements of Work
• Thorough knowledge of early learning principles
• Thorough knowledge of community engagement methods
• Considerable knowledge of reader interest and of books and authors.
• Knowledge of standard computer keyboard configurations and ability to access,
interpret, and record information using a video display terminal and electronic
keyboard.
• Ability to establish and maintain courteous and tactful relationships with associates
and library patrons.
• Ability to: push a loaded book cart, weighing up to 250 pounds; reach, bend, stoop,
or squat and arrange books on library shelves; use manually operated office tools
and supplies such as scissors, staplers, glue, and/or typewriter; hold, inspect, turn
single pages, and read books weighing up to fifteen pounds with pages made from
papers of a wide range of quality and thickness.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally, in writing, and/or by whatever
creative means are necessary to cross communication barriers.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals
in the workplace.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals
in the workplace.
• Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of serving diverse
communities, interacting and communicating successfully with people from a variety
of backgrounds both individually and in groups.
• Ability to have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to coordinate and collaborates with multiple departments, partners, and work
teams.
Required Experience and Training
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and two years working with diverse customers; OR
Master’s of Library Science. An equivalent combination of education, experience and
training, which would provide the required knowledge and skills and allows successful
performance of the job, may be considered. Offers of employment are contingent upon
passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon
satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal records check.
The current starting salary range for this position is $43,615 - $60,584 plus an excellent
benefits package. The starting salary will be based on qualifications.
The Wichita Public Library is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer which
actively seeks and encourages applications from minority candidates.