Librarian I – Outreach

POSITION: Librarian I – Outreach Department

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is seeking an enthusiastic Librarian I to join the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library's Outreach Department. The selected candidate will be responsible for encouraging patrons of all ages to utilize and enjoy the Library's materials and resources for education and entertainment through the planning and delivery of programming such as story times, puppet shows, and STEM programming in a classroom and/or community setting.

The ideal candidate will be well-organized and passionate about libraries and children's literacy, excited by connecting children and teens with books and reading as well as creating engaging and educational programs for pre-school and school aged children.

LOCATION:

Downtown Huntsville Public Library

915 Monroe Street

Huntsville, AL 35801

HOURS AND COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, 30 hour a week position with a rate of pay of $18.50 an hour. Benefits offered include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, employee health clinic, and MPP and 457(b) retirement plan options. General schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and evening events as needed.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: This is professional work providing library services to patrons of all ages at a branch library or within a specialized library department. This work includes the operation of a large utility vehicle on a daily basis.

Assists in the effective functioning of the Outreach Department and the provision of library services to patrons and community organizations as needed. Duties include providing programming and services to preschool and school aged children through Madison County as well as reference and/or readers’ advisory work, materials review, and circulation tasks. This position requires that the employee have knowledge, skill, and ability in the basic phases of the public library field. This position is classified as Non-exempt for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the direction of the immediate supervisor as determined by the Executive Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: May be responsible for issuing instructions to department or support staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Supports library leadership in fulfilling the Library’s Mission Statement: “This is the public’s library. We empower individuals to create their own futures, explore the universe of ideas, and connect with our community and the world.”

Develops, plans, and implements programming for children and teen outreach; travels and delivers programming for preschool and school-aged children in classrooms throughout local school systems in Madison County.

Prepares developmentally appropriate kits for distribution to teachers serving pre-school and school aged children.

Oversees continual collection maintenance and suitability for the Ready Readers mobile collection including responding to patron requests and community needs; Assists teachers in utilizing the Ready Readers collection materials.

Collects, delivers, loads, unloads, carries and transports library materials to various locations throughout Madison County using a large utility vehicle on a daily basis.

Plans and conducts a wide variety of library programs and outreach initiatives including but not limited to library tours, story hours, book clubs, STEAM programs, adult and/or youth programs, and community-need based outreach.

Act as a Library representative to professional, private, and civic organizations as well as the general public as needed.

Participates in system-wide committees, boards, projects, meetings, and initiatives including but not limited to the Youth Services Council, HMCPL Annual Summer Reading, HMCPL Puppet Troupe, and ongoing collection development teams.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS: Participates in special projects and performs additional duties as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires sitting at a computer for extended periods of time. Requires standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, and lifting/carrying items generally not exceeding 35 pounds. Must possess the mobility to interact with children of all ages in a variety of settings including pre-school classrooms. Must possess the vision required to read printed materials and a computer screen. Must possess the ability to hear and speak both in person and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer. Requires sitting for periods of time in a confined vehicle. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Generally involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of office environments. Involves driving the Library vehicles outside on a daily basis traveling from the Downtown Library to the various Library locations which may involve various and unpredictable driving conditions which are affected by weather, other drivers, potential traffic hazards and changing road conditions. The employee may interact with upset staff and/or members of the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of early childhood development and emerging literacy skills; general knowledge of professional library principles, methods, materials, and practices; general knowledge of automated and computerized library systems; knowledge of reader interest levels, books, authors and professional library publications; ability to analyze and solve major problems; competence in oral and written communications; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, associates, corporate representatives, officials of other agencies, and the general public; proficiency with current computer and internet.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A Master’s Degree in Library Science from an accredited college or university or a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university plus two (2) years relevant experience working with children in a library or classroom setting or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides a demonstrated potential for performing the above listed duties of the position is required.

Possession of a clean driving record including no accidents or violations in the past 3 years. Ability to pass a criminal background check.