Community Engagement Librarian

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Academic Engagement, the Community Engagement Librarian oversees the Penn Libraries' outreach and engagement efforts to advance K-12 literacy and other initiatives that connect the resources and expertise of the Penn Libraries with public institutions in the city of Philadelphia. This position is responsible for leading the development of collaborative and strategic partnerships both across the University of Pennsylvania and in the community with the goal of creating impactful and sustainable literacy programming and initiatives.

The work of the Community Outreach Librarian can be broadly understood to consist of three main areas of engagement: public K-12 library and literacy initiatives; communication, collaboration, and coordination with campus groups who are also in the community engagement space; collaboration with other Libraries' departments in support of Libraries' community outreach/engagement involving collections, digital and data projects, exhibitions etc.

Responsibilities

• Actively building and managing library collections at selected public schools in collaboration with teachers and curricular needs, selecting, purchasing, and overseeing the delivery of new books, and weeding collections.
• Organizing the effective cataloging of school library collections, including volunteer efforts by Penn staff.
• Consulting with schools on the opening/reopening of school libraries and training school staff, students, and volunteers on running the library, cataloging, managing the collection, and use of an integrated library system.
• Supervising two FTE (subject to change based on funding) and overseeing the onboarding, mentoring, training and education program for 5-15 work-study Penn students working in the Philadelphia public school libraries and other community literacy initiatives.
• Developing and organizing programming to introduce Philadelphia public school students to libraries and librarianship, including visits to the Penn Libraries and arranging author visits.
• Collaborating and coordinating with other community engagement professionals in the Penn Libraries to develop and support programming and other campus units that engage with community programming and collaboration/communication with Philadelphia organizations working in the school library or community literacy space.
• In collaboration with the Libraries' Advancement Office, stewarding effective relations with donors.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• M.L.I.S., M.I.S., Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Preferred qualifications

• Background or training in literacy education
• Experience managing gift funds
• Experience with successful community-based programs and partnerships

Application requirements

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Pay

$67,155.00 - $93,000.00 Annual Rate. Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.