Early Literacy Associate

Handley Regional Library•Winchester, VA

20d•Hybrid

About The Position

Handley Regional Library seeks a creative and enthusiastic individual with a passion for promoting early literacy through engaging programs for children, caregivers, and educators. This position will work closely with the Handley Library Youth Services Manager to oversee the operations of the Youth Services Department, and to plan, develop, and implement vital literacy programs and services for children birth to grade 3.

Requirements

Ability to work independently to set priorities, manage multiple projects, and meet ongoing deadlines.
Strong human relations and communications skills, positive public service attitude.
Knowledge of best practices in child development, including social and emotional development in children and young adults or ability to learn.
Knowledge of computer hardware and peripherals, digital literacy skills including proficiency in internet research.
Ability to develop and present early literacy-based programs.
Bachelor’s degree
Previous experience working with young children.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read initiative or ability to learn.
Awareness of trends and innovations in libraries and services to youth, familiarity with children’s literature and authors.
General knowledge of library principles, methods, materials and practices.
General knowledge of reader interest and needs.
General knowledge of children and young adult books.
Basic knowledge of classification and cataloging of library materials.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, volunteers and library patrons.
Possesses general clerical skills.
Demonstrates attention to detail.
Previous library experience.
Experience working with culturally and economically diverse populations.
Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Responsibilities

Assists the Youth Services Manager in the operation of the Youth Services Department to interpret policies and procedures for staff and patrons, resolves problems related to day-to-day delivery of services.
Maintains a clean, safe and welcoming environment for children and their caregivers. Monitors the security of the youth services area, including behavior and conduct of library patrons. Upholds Patron Behavior Guidelines and the Safe Library Policy as they relate to keeping children safe in the library.
Staffs the Youth Services Information Desk, providing exceptional customer service, information gathering assistance, and technology support to patrons ages birth to 18 years, their caregivers, and educators. Uses readers’ advisory tools to recommend books and media and promotes other library resources including print, digital, and library service offerings. Appropriately refers patrons to resources in other Library departments and beyond the Library’s collection.
Assists the Youth Services Manager to develop, organize and implements community-based library services in support of the library’s participation in the Campaign for Grade Level Reading (CGLR) and to implement Family Place Library (FPL) initiative.
Promotes the Library’s collections and services through outreach efforts, programs, displays and other avenues. Assists in curating collections of relevant print and digital resources aimed at school readiness.
Plans and presents high-quality early literacy instruction to children ages birth to five years and their caregivers, incorporating the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read initiative.
Plans and presents high-quality literacy-focused programs for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3, including both instructor-directed and student-directed learning. Helps to develop and coordinate youth education opportunities, incorporating programs related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).
Troubleshoots library computers and other technology and reports unresolved problems through the proper channels.
Assist the Youth Services Manager in other administrative duties to include the preparation of statistics and reports and managing departmental staff schedules. Provides input to assist in the development of integrated marketing and communications plans.
Functions effectively as team member. Provides input & feedback, collaborates on issues, and is actively involved as part of a team.