Childrens Librarian Trainee-West Farms Library

The New York Public Library

422d • $52,559 - $55,102

About The Position

The Children's Librarian Trainee position at West Farms Library is designed for MLS students who are passionate about enhancing community engagement through literacy and library services. Under the mentorship of experienced library staff, the Trainee will learn essential library procedures and progressively take on more responsibilities as they advance in their studies. This role emphasizes outreach, program development, and fostering a love of reading among children and families, ultimately leading to a professional librarian position upon graduation.

Requirements

• Enrollment in an ALA accredited Master's degree in Library and Information Studies program.
• Bachelor's Degree, preferably with a strong, well-rounded liberal arts background.
• Enthusiasm for public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage, including children and their parents/caregivers, young adults, adults, and seniors.
• Knowledge and appreciation of literature for all ages, audiovisual materials, computer resources, and other materials that constitute a balanced, relevant collection, as well as a love of reading.
• Experience building partnerships with local organizations and schools to better meet the needs of community users.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Successfully demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously.
• Strong computer and other related technology skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google applications, PCs, Macs, and e-reader devices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer services, including online searching, social media, and reference resources and databases.

Nice To Haves

• Basic understanding of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends for all ages, and urban public library issues.
• Working knowledge of trends in literature, youth and adult services, and the profession through webinars, meetings, internal training, conferences, professional literature, and organizational memberships.
• Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs for people of all ages.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and promoting collections.
• Bilingual preferred not required.

Responsibilities

• Assists with outreach to and developing partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, local businesses, and community groups to promote the Library's services, collections, specialized programs, and resources.
• Co-facilitates group and family visits to the Library to enhance the reading skills of children, young adults, and adults.
• Promotes collections and reading through readers advisory, staff picks, recommendation lists, blog entries, author talks, book discussions, and other innovative ways, both on site and online.
• Provides reference services and resource recommendations using print, media, and digital resources.
• Collaborates with the Educational Services Department and Library Manager to develop skills in creating, promoting, and facilitating innovative programs to build literacy and a love of reading.
• Partners with the collection development team to shape and maintain the collection, ensuring it is diverse, current, relevant, and meets the needs of the community.
• Learns to foster digital literacy and provide age-appropriate technology instruction to children, young adults, and adults.
• Assists with development and maintenance of content for social media platforms such as Library blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.
• Develops and maintains the layout and appearance of the space to ensure a safe and inviting area filled with relevant resources.
• Assists with branch operations, including circulation, fines & fees management, reserves, and opening/closing procedures.
• In the absence of the Library Manager, may take responsibility for the facility, staff, and operations.

Benefits

• Salary range of $52,559.00 to $55,102.00 based on completed credits in an ALA-approved MLIS program.
• Upon graduation, Trainees will automatically become Librarians at NYPL.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree