Elementary School Outreach Librarian

• make connections and develop relationships with public and private schools in Mount Prospect that serve kids in grades 1-5.
• create programs and presentations for grade schoolers in Mount Prospect, including book talks, STEAM programs, author studies, research presentations, field trips, etc.
• develop and manage services, like Teacher Cards and Book Bags, with other members of the outreach team for elementary school teachers.
• develop assigned collections to ensure that children and their families feel welcomed and valued.
• coordinate a yearly author visit in collaboration with in-house programmers.
• provide reference and readers’ advisory services at the public desk.

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

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

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

• Outreach Planning and Coordination (approx. 45%)
• Public Service (approx. 30%)
• Collection Development (approx. 15%)

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach

• Coordinates, implements, and presents outreach programming for children from first through fifth grade in a school setting.
• Coordinates, implements and presents outreach programming for teachers and other staff who work with grade school children in a school setting.
• Collaborates with other outreach team members to develop new outreach programming/services for families with children.
• Collaborates with other members of the outreach team on the Outreach Summer Reading Program and assists in directing the workload of temporary staff.
• Facilitates the book bag service to elementary schools and selects materials to fill book bag requests as needed.
• Coordinates and maintains the teacher card program with other members of the outreach team.
• Generates newsletters, brochures, and bibliographies which promote services for local elementary schools.
• Attends networking events, meetings, and other community events when assigned.
• Prepares reports and compiles statistics relating to school outreach.
• Monitors current trends in public libraries, specifically focusing on outreach.
• Works with library (marketing) staff to obtain appropriate resources and items for outreach activity.

Public Service

• Assists patrons at the public desk in locating materials.
• Applies MPPL-values-based customer service.
• Provides reference and readers advisory services.
• Serves as in-charge staff when assigned.
• Fulfills and/or reviews book bags as requested by community members.
• Assists in the use of equipment items in the public service area.

Collection Development

• Performs collection development tasks related to selection, maintenance, and weeding of assigned youth collections.
• Compiles bibliographic aids and prepares displays within the department.

Other

• Coordinates, implements, and presents professional development opportunities and programming for those who provide elementary services.
• Plans, prepares, and presents field trips for those students in first through fifth grade.
• Plans and presents story times and programs in the department as needed.
• Attends appropriate meetings, workshops and seminars.
• Serves on committees and community groups as assigned.
• Supervises volunteers as assigned.
• Serves as in-charge staff when assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Knowledge & Ability

• Ability to access, input and retrieve data from the computer
• Knowledge of library policies and procedures
• Knowledge in the use of the Integrated Library System
• Knowledge of readers advisory and reference/service interview techniques
• Knowledge of online search strategies
• Knowledge of children’s books and materials
• Knowledge of outreach trends for libraries
• Knowledge and skill in the use of various computer applications and electronic devices
• Ability to operate a two-way radio and telephone

Behavioral Skills

• Communication. Able to clearly present information through the spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; talk with customers or clients; listen well.
• Customer Focus. Able to demonstrate a high level of service delivery; do what is necessary to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction; deal with service failures and prioritize customer needs.
• Flexibility. Able to remain open-minded and change opinions on the basis of new information; perform a wide variety of tasks and change focus quickly as demands change; manage transitions effectively from task to task; adapt to varying customer needs.
• Initiative. Able to bring about great results from ordinary circumstances; prepare for problems or opportunities in advance; transform leads into productive business outcomes; undertake additional responsibilities and respond to situations as they arise without supervision.
• Planning, Prioritizing, & Goal Setting. Able to prepare for emerging customer needs; manage multiple projects; determine project urgency in a meaningful and practical way; use goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans; organize and schedule people and tasks.
• Relationship Management. Able to develop rapport with others and recognize their concerns and feelings; build and maintain long-term associations based on trust; help others.
• Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Able to adapt behavior to others' styles; interact effectively with people who have different values, cultures, or backgrounds; optimize the benefits of having a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a typical library environment.