Chanute Public Library Job Openings

About Us

The Chanute Public Library is seeking a passionate individual with an interest in library services and programs. The Chanute Public Library is dedicated to providing modern library resources and services necessary to meet the evolving educational, recreational, and informational needs of our community.

Current Job Opportunities

Full-Time Children’s Services Librarian

Job Overview

Under the supervision of the Library Director, the Children’s Services Librarian performs responsible and varied administrative and professional library work related to planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the Children’s Department in coordination with the Children’s Librarian Assistant, which serves patrons ranging in age from birth through young adult.  Supervises the entire library, including personnel and facilities, in the absence of the Library Director, Adult Services and Outreach Librarian, or the Circulation Librarian.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from the Library Director

Supervision Exercised: Supervises all staff and volunteers assigned to the Children’s Department

Primary Responsibilities:

• Trains and supervises staff and volunteers assigned to the Children’s Department; makes job assignments and verifies that assignments are carried out properly
• Schedules Children’s Department volunteers
• Coordinates evaluating the work performance of Children’s Department staff and volunteers
• Assists the Library Director in budgeting for the collections, services, and programs of the Children’s Department
• Submits to the Library Director purchase order requisitions for Children’s Department materials, equipment, and other proposed purchases; verifies and refers to the Library Director for payment invoices for Children’s Department orders
• Selects materials for acquisition and withdrawal from the children’s, juvenile and young adult print and non-print collections; supervises the organization, maintenance, preservation, withdrawal, and disposal of materials
• Provides reference and reader’s advisory guidance to children, teens, caregivers, and teachers
• Assists patrons in using the online catalog and other electronic tools and resources; assists and instructs patrons in using library services, equipment, and facilities
• Plans, organizes, coordinates with the Children’s Library Assistant, and supervises story hours and other programs for children, teens, and parents in order to encourage reading, viewing, and listening of library materials and to help create lifelong library users; provides library service to the schools and community through programs such as class visits, summer reading events, etc.
• Creates and/or reviews bibliographies, user guides, promotional materials, and publicity spotlighting Children’s Department collections, services, and programs
• Creates and review displays to enhance the library experience and to promote use of library resources
• Maintain and provide assistance in the history room
• Maintains knowledge of the automated circulation and technical services systems and assists with circulation and technical services tasks, as needed
• Coordinate grant writing efforts for Children’s Department needs with Library Director
• Prepares regular narrative and statistical reports for the Library Director
• Interprets library policies and procedures to the public in a customer-friendly manner

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum Qualifications: Requires Bachelor’s Degree. Masters of Library Science Degree preferred.  Experience may be considered in lieu of education. Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with children’s library services, children’s literature and reference resources, and online searching preferred.  Some supervisory experience necessary.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of public library services and programs
• Possesses a solid general education and is especially familiar with children and young adult literature and resources
• Committed to excellence in customer service
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to understand and interpret library policies, procedures, and rules
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patron information
• Comfortable working with children, teens, parents, caregivers, and educators
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to organize work for efficient use of time
• Ability to interact courteously and effectively with library staff and volunteers, the library’s business contacts, and the general public
• Ability to initiate, organize, and follow through on programs, services, and projects
• Solid knowledge of current trends and developments in the library profession and in children and teen library services
• Thorough knowledge of children and young adult library resources: print, non-print, and electronic
• Working knowledge of public relations procedures
• Experience in collection development and programming for children and teens
• Ability to represent the library at professional and community meetings

Benefits

• BlueCross BlueShield Insurance provided through the City of Chanute
• Enrollment in KPERS
• Paid sick leave and holiday leave
• 10 vacation days after one full year of employment

Salary: base salary $33,000 – $35,000 per year, depending on experience with yearly bonuses and raises contingent on employee evaluations.

Applications can be found here or in person at the library. A full job description can be found here or in person at the library.

Applications can be turned into the library or to jlawrence@chanute.org. Applications are due Friday, October 23rd at 5 pm. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Chanute Public Library maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment with the library will be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.