The Rogers Free Library is a vibrant hub of learning and community engagement nestled in the scenic coastal town of Bristol, RI. We are dedicated to providing exceptional library services and fostering a love of reading and knowledge in a welcoming and enriching environment. Rogers Free Library spans 28,000 square feet and has recently received a $1.9 million federal grant to update facilities and programming. It's an exciting time to bring your ideas and join our dynamic staff in contributing to the library’s innovation and development.
TYPE OF WORK:
This is a professional, full-time position supervising the services, collections, and staff of the Children’s Services Department at the Rogers Free Library. This position reports to the Assistant Director.
This position requires understanding of and experience in the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) competencies: literacy, learning, and childhood development; equity, diversity, and inclusion; community programming; collection knowledge and management; outreach and advocacy; departmental administration and management.
This position is a member of the library’s leadership teams that assists the library administration in drafting and implementing services that fulfill the library’s strategic plan in order to meet community needs.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
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Leads the children’s team including scheduling, training, mentoring, and evaluating staff and overseeing volunteers.
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Coordinates youth service operations with other library services and functions, develops programs and services to meet specific needs of children and young adults.
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Plans, designs, promotes, and delivers a robust calendar of youth programs, including early literacy activities, STEAM workshops, school-age programs, and summer reading initiatives. Supervises programming by junior staff members
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Provides reference and reader’s advisory services to children, parents and teachers.
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Supervises the storytime librarian and assist them when needed
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Assists in promoting library use, especially programs and services for children and young adults.
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Selects children's materials for library acquisition; Selects, evaluates, maintains, and deaccessions children’s materials in all formats, balancing community demand, diversity, high-quality literature, and budget constraints; catalogs children's materials.
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Attends and participates in regular leadership team meetings.
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Assists in drafting youth services service policy, as assigned.
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Develops and maintains strong working relationships with local schools, early childhood centers, homeschool networks, youth-serving organizations, and municipal partners.
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Coordinates or participates in outreach events, classroom visits, community fairs, and literacy initiatives.
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Represents the library at professional meetings, committees, and statewide programs when appropriate.
- Substitues at service desks as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
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Strong understanding of child development, early literacy frameworks, and best practices for public library youth services.
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Knowledge of children’s literature, trends, and popular culture.
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Skill in designing high-interest, inclusive, and educational programs.
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Excellent communication, collaboration, and customer service skills.
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Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and to promote equity and inclusion.
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Ability to supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff.
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Proficiency with library digital tools, online resources, downloadable media, and integrated library systems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
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Master's Degree in Library Science.
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Competence in computer skills and willingness to learn new applications.
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At least three years of experience working with children in a library, educational, or youth development setting.
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Experience designing and presenting programs for youth strongly preferred.
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Demonstrated customer service skills and problem solving secured through retail, library, or other public service experience.
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Good work ethic: punctuality in reporting for work, organizational skills, thoroughness in work completion, attention to detail.
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Ability to work well with the public and collaboratively with colleagues.
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Usual office working conditions. Potential minimal exposure to noise, dust, inclement weather, temperature fluctuations.
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Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and talk for potentially long periods of time. This includes using a computer monitor, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse to complete many of the daily tasks as well as usual office equipment.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
This is a $57,000 per year, full-time, non-union position with 37.5 hours minimum per week. This position will follow the Town of Bristol Employee Handbook and the Non-Union Employee Benefits Summary. Qualified and interested individuals should send a cover letter, resume, and employment application to Eileen Dyer, Library Director, [email protected]. Applications received by December 15, 2025 will receive first consideration.
The Rogers Free Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws. All employees must be eligible for employment in the United States.
External Job Ad
https://www.bristolri.gov/Jobs.aspx?JobID=43&CommunityJobs=False&UniqueId=102