Early Childhood Librarian

Do you find yourself singing along to Jim Gill music during your day? Are you eager to read the new JaNay Brown-Wood picture book? Would you be excited to talk about the six stages of play development with colleagues and patrons?  If so, our Early Childhood position might be the job for you!  

In this role, you will perform multiple storytimes a week for children of various ages and ability levels, coordinate a busy storytime schedule for ages birth to kindergarten, and train staff on best practices in storytime and early literacy.  

You will also:  

• create and facilitate other programming outside the storytime cycle for the department’s youngest patrons 
• develop learning and play experiences for young children and their families  
• help patrons at our busy service desk 
• develop an assigned collection area 
• keep up to date with current information regarding child development and best practices in early literacy, and share that information with your colleagues and the community 
• collaborate with the Youth Programming Librarian to ensure the overall programming needs of patrons are met by the Youth programming calendar 
• serve on committees, workgroups, and attend professional development opportunities and conferences as assigned 

We’re looking for someone with demonstrated, significant experience working with groups of young children, especially in a childcare, school, or library setting. Must have a strong working knowledge of child development and be willing to learn to create developmentally appropriate programming for young children.   

**SCHEDULE: **Full-time, non-exempt position; 37.5 hours per week.

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9am to 5pm
• Tuesday 1pm to 9pm
• Participation in the weekend rotation:
  • Friday 11am to 7pm, approximately every 8 weeks
  • Saturday 9am to 5pm & Sunday 11am to 5pm, approximately every 4 weeks

BENEFITS:

Medical, dental, and vision benefits are offered. Part of the total compensation package also includes paid time off benefits (paid holidays, vacation time, personal days, and sick leave), participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) pension plan, 457 retirement savings plan, pet insurance and a commuter transit benefit. 

PURPOSE:

Under the direct supervision of the Department Manager, this position assists in planning programs that meet the objectives of the library’s strategic plan and/or assessment of community needs. This position facilitates the development, coordination, and implementation of a full roster of story times and early literacy programs to serve young children and their caregivers. The Early Childhood Librarian is also responsible for program presentation, collection development, and readers advisory and reference work on the public service desk. 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in library science from an ALA accredited library school (or equivalent education and work experience).  Prior experience with children and children’s programming required.  Coursework and/or experience in Early Childhood Development desirable.

View the full job posting online at mppl.org

How to Apply