Librarian I: Children's Services

Statement of Duties:  The City of Danbury is currently seeking a Librarian I (Children’s Services).  The Children’s Services Librarian provides professional services to patrons from birth to age 18, plans and executes programs, and builds and maintains the collection of material.  The Librarian is responsible for participating in outreach to the Danbury schools and other local agencies that provide services to children and/or young adults.

Supervision Required:    Under general supervision of the Head Librarian. the employee plans and carries out the regular work in accordance with standard practices and previous training, with substantial responsibility for determining the sequence and timing of action and substantial independence in planning and organizing the work activities, including determining the work methods. The employee is expected to solve through experienced judgment most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions to resolve the particular problem. 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, but ordinarily the employee plans the work, lays it out and carries it through to completion independently. Work is generally reviewed only for technical adequacy, appropriateness of actions or decisions, and conformance with policy or other requirements; the methods used in arriving at the end result are not usually reviewed in detail.

Supervisory Responsibility:The employee, as a regular and continuing part of the job, is required to lead other employees to assist them in completing their assigned work.  Employee also performs non-supervisory work that is of the same kind and level as is done by the employee(s) being supervised. The employee(s) supervised work at the same location and the same work shift and the staff size is well established and relatively stable throughout the year.

Confidentiality:   The employee has access on a regular basis to confidential information of the department such as patron records.

Accountability:  The nature of work assures that errors are usually detected in succeeding operations. Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include time loss caused by back checking by others and slowdowns in the processing of the work.  Errors are generally confined to a single department such as billing or accounting errors.

Judgment:Numerous standardized practices, procedures, or general instructions govern the work and in some cases, may require additional interpretation.  Judgment is needed to locate, select and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation or guideline.

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.

Work Environment:The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of a public library setting subject to frequent interruptions. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend department sponsored special events or in accordance with the library’s work schedule on weekends and weekends.

Nature and Purpose of Relationships:  Employee interacts with co-workers, the public and external contacts such as vendors or community groups to explain or interpret procedures or guidelines, plan or coordinate work, or resolve problems.   Extraordinary courtesy, tact, and diplomacy are required to resolve complaints or deal with uncooperative persons.

Occupational Risk:  Duties of the job present little potential for injury to the employee.

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.

1. Responsible for maintaining and building the Children material collection. This includes budgeting, ordering, processing and cataloging material, and maintaining the collection through regular weeding and updates.
2. Conducts weekly story-time sessions to promote early literacy.  Initiates, plans, and conducts a regular schedule of quality programming for children.  This may include after school programs, programs during school holidays, and summer reading programs. Hires outside presenters or performers as needed. Maintains annual programming budget for presenters and supplies. Continually assesses programs and attendance based on statistics and patron feedback.
3. In collaboration with the Program and Outreach Coordinator, represents the library at outreach events in the community to promote literacy and library services. Conducts quality literacy programs in the community by participating in outreach and in-reach with community partners including the Danbury schools and other educational organizations. Plans and presents class visits, tours, and other special programs for school-aged children.
4. Liaises with schools and community partners to support library programming for Danbury youth. Maintains regular communication and coordinates visits to schools and other children’s area facilities on a regular basis. Assists in connecting families to library resources.
5. Prepares statistics as needed for the department on a monthly basis.
6. Prepares library displays to promote programs, seasonal events, and topics of interest to children.
7. Actively promotes library services, materials, and programs to patrons.
8. Provides in-person library service at a public service desk. Utilizes library technology, including online databases as well as traditional library resources, in answering patron queries.  Instructs and guides patrons in the use of library resources.        Also responds to patron inquiries through email.  Assists patrons with the use of library technology, such as computers, printers, tablets, audiovisual equipment, and related software.
9. Engages in professional development appropriate to youth services, including reviewing current professional journals, attending professional workshops and meetings, and communicating with peers in library settings.        Represents the Danbury Public Library appropriately at workshops and educational meetings relating to Youth Services.
10. Collaborates regularly with Children’s Program Coordinator, Teen Librarian, and the Librarian II: Youth Services, to develop and execute department goals as well as collaborate on larger family programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: 

Masters in Library Science from an ALA-accredited graduate school

3-5 years relevant professional experience