POSITION SUMMARY
This position is primarily responsible for proactive planning, organizing, directing, and managing all aspects of the Children’s Department. The incumbent is responsible for delivering services related to library operations, outreach programs and special activities. Performs managerial duties, including training, scheduling, and directing the work of Children Specialists and Children Library Assistants.
Guidelines consists of the library branch manual, the county personnel manual, relevant county procedures, and supervisor’s instructions. Guidelines require judgement, selection and interpretation in application.
Contacts are typically with people or organizations in the community which utilize services of the library. Contacts are also with fellow employees in the library system.
Work is performed sitting at a desk with moderate and intermittently standing, sitting, walking, reaching, bending, crouching and stooping in order to access material. Employee must frequently lift light objects (weighing less than 25 pounds) and must occasionally lift heavy objects (weighing 25-50 pounds).
Employee must use equipment which requires a high degree of manual dexterity.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
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Trains, schedules work, supervise and evaluates staff of the Children's Department.
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Participates in employment interviews for Children's Specialist and Library Assistants.
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Designs and prepares children's programs, including regularly scheduled story times, special seasonal presentations, outreach programs for daycares and schools and other children’s activities as needed.
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Selects materials for acquisition and withdrawal from the Children’s Department. Supervises the organization, maintenance, preservation, withdrawal, and disposal of materials in the Children’s Department.
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Creates bibliographies, user guides, reader’s advisory, and promotional materials spotlighting Children’s Department collection, services, and programs.
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Responsible for the general maintenance and appearance of the Children's Department, which includes verifying that all equipment is working properly.
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Prepares children’s tutorials, flyers, posters bulletin boards, and book display as needed.
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Coordinates Summer Reading Program in Columbia County libraries in cooperation with the Young Adult Librarian and Adult Librarian as well as the Branch Managers Staff.
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Maintains awareness of current trends in children's library services by attending workshops and reading professional journals.
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Staffs the children’s desk assisting children and other library patrons in locating materials and information, including reader’s advisory service.
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Answers children’s information questions and communicates effectively with patrons in person, via telephone and via written word.
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Works with other library departments to ensure smooth coordination of services and initiatives.
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Ensures continuity of operations in the absence of the Columbia County Libraries Manager and the Reference Manager.
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Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
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Knowledge of library operations, collections, cataloging systems, children's books and literature, authors and illustrators, storytelling techniques, books and literature in general, and standard and online information databases.
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Knowledge of county guidelines relevant to the operation of the library.
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Knowledge of library policies and procedures.
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Knowledge of library-specific software, office application software, and personal computers.
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Skill in management and supervision.
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Skill in working with children.
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Skill in oral and written communication and public speaking.
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Skill in dealing with patrons tactfully.
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Skill in operating audio-visual equipment.
DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
A Masters degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association is required. Experience sufficient to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having a similar position for one to two years is required. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license is required.
A combination of education and/or work experience may be substituted for minimum requirements.
