Youth Services Library Associate - Early Literacy (PT-25 hours/week)

The McHenry Public Library District is looking for a creative, energetic, and friendly professional to join our Youth Services Team. The successful candidate will utilize resources to develop early literacy skills in young children and promote early literacy among families. Key responsibilities include coordinating, planning, and executing programs for children (ages 6 and under) and their caregivers. This position also involves creating and implementing early literacy initiatives, conducting outreach to local organizations and preschools, managing collection development in relevant areas, and assisting at the Questions Desk. The following skills are required for this position: excellent interpersonal skills, strong verbal and written communication abilities, a friendly and flexible presentation style, and the ability to adapt to the library's technology needs. The salary for this position ranges between $15.66 - $19.57, depending on qualifications.

Schedule

• This position requires availability for primarily daytime hours, with some evenings and weekends.

Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick/personal time off, and retirement (IMRF) benefits.

Summary:

Under the supervision of the Youth Services Manager, contributes to the planning and implementation of library programs, collections, and services to youth and teens. Primarily serves ages birth through age 18 and their caregivers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Answers reference questions and provides basic reader’s advisory in person, by telephone, or by email in a prompt, courteous, and confidential manner.
• Maintains working knowledge and can provide basic instruction in library technology, including but not limited to catalogs, eReaders, tablets, laptops, public computers, printers, copiers, scanners, hotspots, and fax machines.
• Maintains knowledge of current and popular youth and teen literature and other media.
• Keeps current with print and online reference and reader advisory resources to answer patron questions competently.
• Prepares and merchandises department displays and creates bibliographies.
• May plan and implement programs that respond to the needs and interests of youth, teens, and/or caregivers, which may include story times, summer reading, book clubs, after-school activities, and family programs, both in person and virtually.
• May assist in selecting and maintaining materials for assigned areas of the youth and/or teen collections in various formats.
• Participates in professional development and networking activities both in person and online.
• Ensures all policies and procedures of the McHenry Public Library District are followed.

Early Literacy Specialist, specialized tasks include:

• Ability to speak in front of large groups.
• Ability to create and present a variety of story times to children of different ages and in different stages of development.
• Understands the current early childhood teaching practices especially related to literacy skill development.
• Understands the childhood development of children under age six, including literacy skills, gross and fine motor skills, and social and emotional growth.
• Implements skill development in programs and explains/demonstrates skills to caregivers.
• Performs community needs assessment to identify the needs of children under six and their caregivers to create tailored services and programs to address identified needs.

Additional Duties

• May communicate and cooperate with schools, daycares, and other local community organizations that serve youth and teens.
• May serve on library committees and committees of library and community organizations that align with the library’s mission.
• May maintain library website and social networking sites.
• The staff may be in the role of one or more of the following areas: Early Literacy, Youth Programming, Teen Services, School Services, and/or Bilingual Services.
• Assumes other duties and projects as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree, LTA or equivalent course work/ and previous library experience; Bachelor’s degree desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient technology skills, including Microsoft Windows and Office applications, Google Suite applications, Internet, eReaders/tablets, online video conferencing/sharing platforms, and the ability to adapt to changing technology.
• Knowledge and appreciation of popular materials for youth and teens.
• Understanding of the recreational and educational needs of today’s youth and teens.
• Ability to complete detailed work accurately, efficiently, and on time with minimal supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments independently or as a team.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish) are desirable.

Working Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and see.
• The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach with hands and arms, get down on floors, climb stools, and perform other physical tasks.
• Repeated movements with the wrists, hands, and/or fingers while using a keyboard.
• Employee may be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time of work, including possible extreme hot and cold weather.
• Noise level is generally similar to an office environment but may be loud at times.
• The employee will occasionally lift or move up to 35 pounds and push or pull carts up to 150 pounds.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.