Ready to Read Early Literacy Specialist

TLCPL • Toledo, OH

13d

About The Position

Under the direction of the Youth Services Coordinator, the Ready to Read Early Literacy Specialist serves as a professional librarian and delivers and promotes early literacy resources and outreach to parents, caregivers, and educators. The role includes training library staff on early literacy topics and supporting related initiatives such as Play & Learn. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the Library’s values of being welcoming, innovative, objective, accountable, and collaborative.

The specialist connects with families of children from birth through preschool outside the Library, provides early literacy training and resources, and builds partnerships with early childhood centers and community organizations. The role also plans community-wide early literacy events, supports play opportunities across the system, creates or assesses early literacy communications, and may participate in media appearances and professional conferences. The specialist collects and analyzes program data, maintains outreach statistics, researches best practices, and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree in any field plus four years of Librarian experience, or a BA/BS degree in early childhood education, child development, community engagement, or a related field.
• Coursework in early childhood education, child development, or reading instruction.
• A minimum of three years of related work experience.
• A valid driver’s license; must be insured and meet the state’s minimum auto insurance coverage requirements.
• Must meet the Library insurance carrier’s eligibility requirements under the Library’s Motor Vehicle Use Policy.
• May be required to drive Library-owned or personal vehicles regularly on Library business.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and experience teaching adults.
• Knowledge of KRA data and how schools in the area use it.
• Knowledge of Every Child Ready to Read, 2nd edition.
• Knowledge of teacher expectations for children entering kindergarten.
• Ability to work with adults from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of poverty and respect for individual family cultural values.
• Demonstrated ability to provide innovative and enthusiastic programming to adults.
• Experience creating supportive and welcoming environments for families in the Library and at outreach events.
• Knowledge of brain development, growth through play, and growth through interactions with trusted adults.
• BCI/FBI criminal background record clearance and MVR history are required.
• A drug screen must be completed before the start date.

Nice To Haves

• MLS from an ALA-accredited library school plus two years of Librarian experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Meet families of children from birth through preschool outside the Library to provide early literacy training and resources.
• Deliver training to adults based on Every Child Ready to Read, 2nd edition.
• Provide Ohio-approved training to early childhood teachers.
• Serve as a liaison between early childhood centers and the Library.
• Survey previous early literacy trainings to verify message accuracy.
• Keep statistics for early literacy outreach and collect and analyze program data.
• Train all staff on customer service for young children and their caregivers.
• Perform public service assignments as required to meet the needs of the agency and system.
• Work cooperatively as a team member with coworkers.
• Train children’s librarians on early literacy best practices.
• Lead work groups dedicated to early literacy topics.
• Present at professional conferences.
• Research early literacy best practices and emerging data.
• Select, maintain, and assemble giveaway materials as needed.
• Assist caregivers and staff in accessing and evaluating early literacy technology.
• Build community partnerships that advance the Library’s mission and its early literacy outreach.
• Plan and coordinate community-wide early literacy events.
• Assess and write communications that convey an early literacy message for the Ready to Read program and systemwide.
• Promote and support early childhood play opportunities throughout the system, including through Activities to Go kits and Play and Learn.
• Participate in media appearances related to Ready to Read and the Library.
• Actively support diversity, equity, and inclusion and promote a culture where all staff and customers belong.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level