This position reports to the supervising FT Children’s Librarian. Main responsibilities include assisting children and their caregivers at the children’s services desk, planning and implementing children’s programs, and developing and maintaining a portion of the children’s collection. Additional duties include attending professional meetings and workshops, providing library tours to youth groups, and conducting outreach in local schools and youth organizations. The person in this position will be expected to understand and uphold library policies and procedures. The person in this position may be required to act as the librarian in charge in absence of the supervisor and the library director and to respond to emergency situations in accordance with related policies and procedures.

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 in a public library with a focus on working with children. The person in this position must be knowledgeable of current trends in library services to children and must love working with people, especially children. The ideal candidate will be energetic with a passion for providing excellent customer service in a public library setting. A thorough knowledge of children’s literature and the developmental stages of youth is imperative.

The Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library is the municipal library for residents of Washington Township in Gloucester County. The library is celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2021. The library is located in a 20,000 square foot building that was renovated in 2010. The enclosed children’s library department includes an ample collection of children’s materials, public access computers, a story time room, and a public service desk that is staffed during all library hours. The library’s 2021 operating budget is approximately $1.6 million. The library has a strong history of excellent services to children and strives to continue this tradition.

The salary for this position begins at $50,000 and pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Paid time off includes vacation, personal, sick, and paid holidays. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, and a prescription plan through the state of NJ. Participation in the PERS pension system is required. 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. To apply, send a resumé, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to Sheila Mikkelson, Library Director, at smikkelson@hegganlibrary.org and please note that only candidates of interest will be contacted. Applications received by September 30th 2021 will be given first priority.

The schedule includes late afternoon, evening, and weekend hours, including Saturdays and/or Sundays throughout the year, including the summer. This position reports to the Circulation Supervisor. Anticipated start date is late September. Pay is $13.00 per hour. Paid time off includes ten hours of vacation per year if the candidate works a minimum of twenty hours per week on average. All part-time library staff are eligible for accrued sick time based on the requirements of the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Law. The selected candidate must enroll in the DCRP pension system, which is a mandatory payroll deduction of 5.5% of base salary. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, all employees are required to wear a mask that completely covers their mouth and nose, are required to practice social distancing, and are required to follow all CDC guidelines.

Responsibilities:

• Providing excellent customer service at all times
• Charging and discharging library materials while following policy and procedural guidelines
• Issuing new library cards and renewing existing accounts
• Searching for library materials and processing hold requests
• Answering telephones and assisting callers as needed
• Billing and accepting payment for library overdue fees and material charges
• Shelving books, straightening shelves, and reading shelves
• Processing computer guest passes and registering patrons for library programs via online software
• Operating a cash register, photocopy machine, and a facsimile machine
• Tactfully and politely ensuring that library patrons are adhering to Library Code of Conduct as needed
• Performing other duties as assigned at direction of supervisor

Requirements:

• High school diploma
• Ability to communicate well and follow directions while being detail-oriented
• Excellent computer skills with the ability to learn new software quickly

Preferred:

• Flexibility with schedule and ability to work additional hours during staff absences
• Prior experience working in a library and using the Dewey Decimal Classification System or prior experience working with the public
• Knowledge of and interest in reading materials and other items that may be borrowed at a public library

To Apply:

First consideration will be given to applications received by September 3rd 2021. Only candidates of interest will be contacted. Submit the following information to jobs@hegganlibrary.org with attention to Sheila Mikkelson, Library Director:

• Cover letter
• Resumé
• Names, postal addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses for at least three professional references