Librarian - Children's Services

About the role

This position works with a team to create a welcoming and engaging environment for children ages 0–11, their caregivers, families, and all individuals using the Mountain Island Library. The Children’s Librarian is full-time and requires flexibility to work one evening per week. Responsibilities include planning and implementing programs for diverse audiences, collection management, outreach, and connecting customers with library resources. This role also serves as a Manager on Duty, supporting the location manager in overseeing daily branch activities and collaborating with school personnel and community organizations to advance the library’s mission. Participation in system-wide teams and work groups is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Meet customers’ informational, research, and pleasure reading needs by matching requests to appropriate resources.
• Provide quality programming for children, pre-teens, and caregivers; create promotional materials and design collection displays.
• Determine the most effective information sources for each customer based on their needs and preferred formats.
• Train customers in the use of electronic reference resources, internet searches, e-books, digital downloads, and library software; troubleshoot technology issues.
• Manage and maintain assigned collection areas by assessing community needs, consulting reviews, and recommending purchases.
• Develop diverse and innovative programs, publications, and displays to enhance library services.
• Continue professional development through workshops, classes, webinars, conferences, and retreats.
• Perform administrative duties including serving as Manager on Duty, scheduling staff, submitting maintenance and IT tickets, handling customer concerns, reserving meeting rooms, and enforcing library policy.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years of public library experience.
• Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution.
• NC Public Library certification required or must be obtained within 12 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with children.
• Bilingual skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Library science.
• Child development.
• Reference interview process.
• Familiarity with library classification systems, the Online Public Access Catalog, and OCLC/MARC records.
• Readers’ advisory and reference resources.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to assess customer needs and match them with appropriate information or materials.
• Strong time-management and attention to detail.

Abilities

• Decision-Making: Identify and understand issues; compare data from different sources; choose effective courses of action; act consistently with available facts and constraints.
• Collaboration: Work effectively and cooperatively with others; establish and maintain good working relationships.
• Technical/Professional Knowledge: Maintain up-to-date technical and professional skills; keep current with trends in area of expertise.
• Planning and Organizing: Establish courses of action to ensure efficient completion of work.
• Managing Work: Effectively manage time and resources to complete work efficiently.
• Customer Focus: Prioritize the customer perspective in service decisions and practices.
• Continuous Learning: Actively identify learning opportunities; apply new knowledge on the job.

Computer Skills

• Advanced proficiency in various computer applications.
• Technological adeptness with PCs, tablets, mobile devices, internet and database searching, and email.

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise and busy public library spaces. This classification supports the development of ADA-compliant technologies and requires adherence to county policies to meet accessibility obligations.