Children's Librarian or Librarian Trainee - Stapleton Library - The New York Public Library
Staten Island, NY
About the Job
Description
Overview
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 100 years. NYPL’s neighborhood libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—many of which date to Andrew Carnegie’s visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century—are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service, and vital community hubs that provide far more than just free books and materials.
This position is open to candidates with an MLS Degree (Children's Librarian) and those enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLS Degree Program (Children's Librarian Trainee). Both roles are described below.
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 100 years. NYPL’s neighborhood libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—many of which date to Andrew Carnegie’s visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century—are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service, and vital community hubs that provide far more than just free books and materials.
This position is open to candidates with an MLS Degree (Children's Librarian) and those enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLS Degree Program (Children's Librarian Trainee). Both roles are described below.
Children's Librarian:
The Library is seeking a Children's Librarian to cultivate creative thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and resourceful users of information. Successful candidates will embody each of these four characteristics themselves.
Children's Librarian Trainee:
Are you an MLS student who is committed to changing lives and strengthening communities through the power of learning and reading?
This position involves responsibility for learning library procedures, techniques, and skills under professional guidance of the manager and other experienced library staff. As the Trainee progresses through MLS coursework and in professional ability, he/she will be assigned increased responsibilities related to library operations.
Candidates for the Library Trainee program are selected on the basis of interest in library work and relevant experience. If selected, a Trainee is required to obtain the Master's degree in librarianship from a school accredited by the American Library Association.
The appointment may be terminated if the Trainee fails to complete the program within 3.5 years or does not show ability to develop skills in the performance of professional library tasks. Upon graduation, the Trainee must obtain a Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York.
Children's Librarian Trainee:
Are you an MLS student who is committed to changing lives and strengthening communities through the power of learning and reading?
This position involves responsibility for learning library procedures, techniques, and skills under professional guidance of the manager and other experienced library staff. As the Trainee progresses through MLS coursework and in professional ability, he/she will be assigned increased responsibilities related to library operations.
Candidates for the Library Trainee program are selected on the basis of interest in library work and relevant experience. If selected, a Trainee is required to obtain the Master's degree in librarianship from a school accredited by the American Library Association.
The appointment may be terminated if the Trainee fails to complete the program within 3.5 years or does not show ability to develop skills in the performance of professional library tasks. Upon graduation, the Trainee must obtain a Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York.
Key Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Library Manager, the Children's Librarian:
Under the supervision of the Library Manager, the Children's Librarian:
- Provides reference service and resource recommendations using print, media and digital resources
- Collaborates with the Educational Services Department to develop, promote, facilitate, present and evaluate innovative programs to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of the community’s children population including book discussions, author talks, technology classes, financial literacy sessions, arts and wellness activities, and a variety of other programs both in the Library and throughout the community
- Partners with the collection development team to build and maintain the Children's collection ensuring it is diverse, current, and relevant and meets the needs of the community
- Works to engage children with the collection in ways that allow them to follow their interests and discover new ones
- Conducts outreach to and develops partnerships with community based organizations, city support agencies, educational institutions and local businesses to promote the library’s services, programs and collections with a focus on children
- Encourages digital literacy and provides technology instruction
- Develops and maintains the layout and appearance of the children space, ensuring a safe and inviting area filled with relevant resources
- Develops and maintains content for social media platforms such as Library blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest
- Mentors library staff in preparing and presenting children programs
- Assists with circulation, fines & fees management, reserves and opening/closing procedures
- May take responsibility for the facility, staff and operations in the absence of the Library Manager
- Maintains a working knowledge of trends in children literature, educational and development needs, children's services and the profession through webinars, internal training, meetings, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships
- Performs related duties as required
Under the mentorship of the Library Manager and experienced library staff, the Library Trainee learns to perform the duties of a public librarian while pursuing a Master’s degree in librarianship. Over time, the Trainee performance increasingly difficult public service functions and engages children through collections, services, and programs in ways that allow them to follow their interests and discover new ones.
Responsibilities include:
- Assists with outreach to and developing partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, local businesses, and community groups that to promote the Library’s services, collections, specialized programs, and resources
- Co-facilitates group and family visits to the Library to enhance the reading skills of children, young adults and adults
- Promotes our collections and reading through readers advisory, staff picks, recommendation lists, blog entries, author talks, book discussions, and other innovative ways, both on site and online
- Provides reference services and resource recommendations using print, media, and digital resources
- Collaborates with the Educational Services Department and Library Manager to develop skills in creating, promoting and facilitating innovative programs to build literacy and a love of reading to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of the community, including early literacy programs, visual and performing arts programming, STEM programs, homework help, gaming events, book discussions, author talks, technology classes, and more
- Partners with the collection development team to shape and maintain the collection, ensuring it is diverse, current, relevant, and meets the needs of the community
- Learns to foster digital literacy and provide age-appropriate technology instruction to children, young adults, and adults
- Assists with development and maintenance of content for social media platforms such as Library blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest
- Develops and maintains the layout and appearance of the space to ensure a safe and inviting area filled with relevant resources
- Assists with branch operations, including circulation, fines & fees management, reserves, and opening/closing procedures
- In the absence of the Library Manager, may take responsibility for the facility, staff, and operations
- Performs related duties as required
Library Trainee salaries are based on completed credits in an ALA-approved MLIS program and range from $52,559.00 to $55,102.00 prior to graduation. Upon graduation and subject to satisfactory job performance, a Trainee will assume a Librarian position at NYPL.
Required Education, Experience & Skills
Required Education & Experience
Children's Librarian:
Children's Librarian:
- ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies
- Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York
Children's Librarian Trainee:
- Enrollment in an ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies program
- Bachelor’s Degree, preferably with a strong, well-rounded liberal arts background
Required Skills
Children's Librarian:
Children's Librarian:
- Strong commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage
- Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs for children
- Knowledge of children literature and experience maintaining an children's collection
- Experience building partnerships with local organizations to better meet the needs of community users
- Demonstrated interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills
- Successfully demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
- Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously
- Strong computer and other related technology skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google applications, PCs, Macs and e-reader devices
- Demonstrated knowledge of computer services including online searching, social media, reference resources and databases
Children's Librarian Trainee:
- Enthusiasm for public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage, including children and their parents/caregivers, young adults, adults, and seniors
- Knowledge and appreciation of literature for all ages, audiovisual materials, computer resources, and other materials that constitute a balanced, relevant collection, as well as a love of reading
- Experience building partnerships with local organizations and schools to better meet the needs of community users
- Demonstrated successful interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
- Successfully demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
- Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously
- Strong computer and other related technology skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google applications, PCs, Macs, and e-reader devices
- Demonstrated knowledge of computer services, including online searching, social media, and reference resources and databases
Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities (Children's Librarian):
- May temporarily oversee the library in the absence of the Library Manager
Preferred Qualifications
Children's Librarian:
- Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends for children in urban public libraries preferred
Children's Librarian Trainee:
- Basic understanding of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends for all ages, and urban public library issues
- Working knowledge of trends in literature, youth and adult services, and the profession through webinars, meetings, internal training, conferences, professional literature, and organizational memberships
- Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs for people of all ages
- Experience developing, maintaining, and promoting collections
- Bilingual preferred not required
More...
Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
- Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
- Be Resourceful in solving problems
- Be Curious in all aspects of your work
- Be Welcoming and Inclusive
Work Environment
- Public service library
Physical Duties
- Lifting up to 15 lbs.
- Sitting and standing for periods of time
- Daily use of a computer
Physical Required?
No
Union
Local 1930
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Schedule
35 hours per week to be scheduled during regular branch hours
This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.
The New York Public Library Salary Statement
No
Union
Local 1930
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Schedule
35 hours per week to be scheduled during regular branch hours
This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.
The New York Public Library Salary Statement
At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.
Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).
Source : The New York Public Library