Early Literacy Specialist PT-KPL

General Overview of Position

Under the general direction of the Head of Youth and Family Services, provide quality programming, readers' advisory, reference and circulation services to children, teens, parents or caregivers, educators and those adults that work with children and teens. Perform other public service functions as needed.

• Please Note:
  
  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. Duties, responsibilities or qualifications may change at any time with or without notice.

• Plan and implement age appropriate quality programming for children, parents or caregivers, educators and those adults that work with children with an emphasis on early literacy.
• Be knowledgeable of KPL planning and policy developments.
• Provide assistance at KPL locations to patrons in accessing library collections, answering information and circulation questions, providing reader’s advisory assistance, and assist in operating equipment.

• Work with the Head of Youth and Family Services and YFS Supervising Librarian in learning techniques in child, young adult, and family librarianship.
• Work with the leadership team to learn circulation practices and policies.
• Respond to patron inquiries about library services, including the interpretation of library policies and procedures.
• Provide informal library instruction.
• Provide on‑call readers’ advisory services to users of the KPL children’s and young adult collections; serve as the children’s and young adult services resource for KPL staff.
• Maintain knowledge of current trends and participate in appropriate conferences, workshops, and seminars to develop professional and leadership skills.
• Recommend changes or improvements in services or programming for children, young adults, and families to the Head of Youth and Family Services and the YFS Supervising Librarian.
• Foster a collaborative relationship with community groups, businesses, organizations, educational institutions, and agencies in the city and Kenosha County, by providing information about the Library and its services.
• Participate in conducting summer library programs annually.
• Suggest grant opportunities and activities relating to children, young adults, and families as required.
• Maintain a working environment within the Library that will sustain a high level of employee morale and productivity.
• Keep the Head of Youth and Family Services and Branch Manager informed of safety, mechanical, and maintenance problems in the Children’s and Young Adult areas.
• Serve as Person in Charge as scheduled.
• Perform other tasks and projects as assigned.

Reports to the YFS Supervising Librarian and the Head of Youth and Family Services.

Non‑Exempt

• High school diploma or equivalent required;
  Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education preferred.
• Experience in working with library resources for children and/or young adults any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities strongly preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.
• Must retrain with approved early literacy coursework every three years.
• Ability to communicate effectively with library staff and the public.
• Ability to gather statistics, analyze information and write reports.
• Ability to use computer software and manage computerized files.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to maintain and foster cooperative and courteous working relationships with the public, peers, and supervisors.
• Ability to creatively and effectively make independent decisions based on experience, knowledge, or training without supervision.
• Mathematical ability: calculate basic arithmetic problems (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) without the aid of the calculator.
• Problem‑solving skills; develop feasible, realistic solutions to problems; recommend actions designed to prevent problems from occurring; refer recommended solutions to Head of Youth Services when necessary.
• Reading ability: effectively read and understand…