Children's Librarian

WICHITA COMPANY LIMITED; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Wichita seeks a passionate Children's Librarian for its Advanced Learning Library. The successful candidate will engage with children ages 0-11, providing educational programming, reference services, and fostering a love for reading among youth. This full-time position offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to impact the community positively.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan options

Paid time off and holidays

Employee assistance programs

Qualifications

• Required: Master's degree in library science.
• Preferred: One year experience with children's programming; bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Strong commitment to customer service and knowledge of child development.

Responsibilities

• Planning programs for children ages 0-12, including storytimes and school-age activities.
• Providing reference and readers' advisory to children and caregivers.
• Collaborating with library peers on programming and service delivery.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Public presentation skills

Knowledge of children's literature

Customer service

Education

Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program

Job description

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

The Wichita Public Library has an opening for a Children’s Librarian specializing in services for youth ages 0 to 11. This position is part of the Youth Services team in the Advanced Learning Library. The preferred start date for this position is 8/4/2025.

Our successful candidate will be a person with a passion for working with children and their adult caregivers, as well as demonstrated skill and creativity in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate children’s learning opportunities. A strong commitment to customer service and excellent interpersonal skills are a must as this librarian will be expected to perform reference, reader’s advisory and customer account services to visitors in the library’s Children’s and Teen Pavilions. We are also looking for candidates with outstanding communication and public presentation skills, knowledge of children’s literature and principles of child development, competency with technologies including personal computer applications and integrated library systems, and experience with early literacy initiatives. Spanish language skills are preferred.

Work Hours

A typical work schedule for the position will include working one evening each week and one weekend each month. This schedule may change in order to fulfill programming and outreach assignments as well as for meeting the service needs of the Section, so demonstrating work schedule flexibility is essential.

The starting salary range for the position is $49,061 - $68,148, commensurate with experience.

Examples of Work Performed

• planning and presenting programs for children of all ages, including Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR)-informed storytimes and school-age programming
• partnering and collaborating with peers throughout the Library system
• promoting Library materials and services through displays and outreach activities
• demonstrating library use and teaching information literacy skills to individuals and groups visiting the library on tours
• offering readers’ advisory to children, teachers, parents and caregivers
• maintaining the Family Place area in the Children’s Pavilion
• working collaboratively for resource sharing and materials distribution
• assisting customers with digital resources, public computing, self-check machines and customer account questions
• participating on Library teams and with system special projects
• actively participating in the work of the Library’s Youth Services Section, including service as the team member in charge on assigned weekday, evening and weekend shifts.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Other job-related duties may be assigned as needed.
  
  

Requirements of Work

Our preferred candidate must also demonstrate a strong customer service commitment; knowledge of children's literature and principles of child development; and competency with technologies including personal computer applications and integrated library systems.

Additional Requirements Of The Work Include

• Thorough knowledge of library methods, principles, and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of reference materials and tools of research.
• Considerable knowledge of reader interest and of books and authors.
• Ability to: push a loaded book cart, weighing up to 250 pounds; reach, bend, stoop, or squat and arrange books on library shelves; use manually operated office tools and supplies; hold, inspect, turn single pages, and read books weighing up to fifteen pounds with pages made from papers of a wide range of quality and thickness.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally, in writing, and/or by whatever creative means are necessary to cross communication barriers.
• Residency within thirty minutes lawful driving time of the corporate limits of the City of Wichita will be required of the successful applicant
  
  

Required Experience And Training

Required Experience and Training:

• Master’s degree in library science from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited program.
  
  

Preferred Experience And Training

• One year of experience designing, planning, and conducting children’s programming for ages 0–12
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
  
  

Offers of employment will be made contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which will include drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a police records check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf

CITY OF WICHITA

Full-time Employee Benefits

• VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
• HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
• SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
• HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
• DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
• LIFE INSURANCE – Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
• SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
• LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE– The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
• VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
• RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
• LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
• MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
  
  

Deferred Compensation Investment Program

Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)

Bereavement Pay

Employee Emergency Assistance Fund

Voluntary Shared Leave Program

Training Programs

Longevity Pay

Credit Union

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Injury Leave (on-job injury)

Community Volunteer Events

01

I have a Masters in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution.

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

I have following years of experience designing, planning, and conducting children’s programming for ages 0–12

• less than 1 year of experience
• less than 1 year - 1 year of experience
• 2 - 3 years of experience
• 4 + years of experience
• I do not have any experience designing, planning, and conducting children’s programming for ages 0–12
  
  

03

I can speak, read and write in Spanish and English fluently?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Education and Training

• Industries

  Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at WICHITA COMPANY LIMITED by 2x

Get notified about new Children Librarian jobs in Wichita, KS.

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.