PT Children's Librarian

The Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library of Washington Township in Sewell, NJ seeks a Part Time Children’s Librarian to continue the tradition of providing excellent library services to youth.  This newly created position will begin in December 2024.  It was created in response to our growing services for youth and to meet our strategic planning goals that address the need for more school age programming.  The schedule includes an average of fifteen hours per week in the evenings and on weekends.  This position reports to the Youth Services Supervisor.  

About the Library:  We are an independent municipal library in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, serving the residents of Washington Township in Gloucester County, NJ since 1966.  Washington Township is the largest municipality in size and in population in the county.  The library is 20,000 square feet and it includes an enclosed children’s library that is almost 3,000 square feet.  The children’s desk is staffed during all library operating hours.  The children’s library includes an ample supply of library materials, computers, interactive play areas, and a story time room.  The library’s 2025 fiscal year operating budget will be approximately 2.5 million dollars, derived primarily from Washington Township taxpayers.  Our busy library is open seven days per week throughout the entire year, including Sundays in the summer months.  The library is closed on major holidays as well as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.  

Responsibilities:  The main responsibility is planning and implementing a vast amount of library programs for school age children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.  Other responsibilities include providing competent reference and readers’ advisory services to children and their caregivers, maintaining a portion of the youth collection, providing library tours to youth groups, conducting outreach in the community, acting as the librarian in charge in the absence of the library director and responding to emergency situations in accordance with related policies and procedures, and all other duties as assigned.  

Minimum Acceptable Training, Education, and Job Experience:  This position requires a graduate degree in library and information science, preferably from a program accredited by the American Library Association.  The person in this position must have or must be able to obtain a NJ State Professional Librarian Certificate.  The preferred candidate will have three years of experience as a professional librarian serving children in a public library and significant experience implementing programs for school age children.  The person in this position must be knowledgeable of current trends in library services to children and must love working with children.  The ideal candidate will be energetic with a passion for providing excellent customer service.  A thorough knowledge of children’s literature and the developmental stages of youth is imperative.  The ability to adapt to new technologies is required.  The person in this position must be able to follow directions, work independently, pay attention to details, maintain effective working relationships with others, and consistently meet deadlines.  Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary.  

Compensation and Benefits:  The hourly range for this position is $27.05 - $37.87 and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Paid time off includes accrued sick time based on the requirements of the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Law.  This position requires participation in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program pension system.  The calculation is 5.5% of the base salary with a 3% employer match.  The pension system includes a life insurance policy.  The library pays NJLA and ALA membership dues for all librarians.  Plans are in progress for all librarians to attend the ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia in June 2025 at the expense of the library.  

How to Apply: To apply, send a resumé, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to Sheila Mikkelson, Library Director, at [email protected] with a subject heading of PT Children’s Librarian.  Preference will be given to applications received by November 4, 2024.  The selected candidate, if not a New Jersey resident, will be required to establish New Jersey residency within a year of appointment in accordance with the New Jersey First Act.