Children's Librarian - Belmont Library

The New York Public Library; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Public Library seeks a Children’s Librarian for Belmont Library to empower children from infancy through pre‑teen years. You will deliver reference services, build engaging programs, foster literacy, and partner with schools and organizations to promote reading.

This 35‑hour/week, on‑site role requires NY education credentials, diverse community engagement, and a passion for nurturing young readers in a dynamic urban library system.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies (ALA-accredited) and NY certificate.
• Knowledge of library technologies and programming trends for children preferred.
• Ability to develop and market Children’s collections and programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide reference services and resource recommendations.
• Develop and facilitate programs to build literacy and a love of reading.
• Engage with community partners to promote services and youth programming.
• Mentor staff in presenting children’s programs and activities.
• Maintain safe, inviting children’s spaces and assist with circulation duties.

Skills

Public service

Program development

Partnership building

Community outreach

Communication

Teamwork

Organization & planning

Tech proficiency

Social media

Reference & research

Education

ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies

Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate (NY)

Emerging library technologies knowledge (preferred)

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Google applications

PCs

Macs

e-reader devices

Job description

Description

Application Deadline

16 October 2026

Department

Branch Libraries

Location

Belmont Library

Compensation:

$70,393 / year

Overview

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for more than 100 years. NYPL’s neighborhood libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—many of which date to Andrew Carnegie’s visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century—are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service, and vital community hubs that provide far more than just free books and materials.

The Library is seeking Children’s Librarians to empower children from infant through pre-teen to become creative thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and resourceful users of information. Successful candidates will embody each of these four characteristics themselves.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Library Manager, the Children’s Librarian:

• Provides reference services and resource recommendations using print, media and digital resources
• Collaborates with the Youth Educational Services Department to develop, promote and facilitate innovative programs to build literacy and a love of reading to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of the community’s children, parents and childcare providers, including storytimes and other early literacy programs, visual and performing arts programming, STEM programs, summer reading events, and a variety of other programs both in the Library and throughout the community
• Partners with the collection development team to shape and maintain the Children's collection ensuring it is diverse, current, relevant and meets the needs of the community
• Works to engage children with the collection in ways that allow them to follow their interests and discover new ones
• Conducts outreach to and develops partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, daycare centers, and community groups that target children to promote the library’s services (e.g., MyLibraryNYC, the Library’s partnership with NYC schools), collections, specialized programs and resources to enhance the reading skills of children
• Encourages digital literacy and provides age-appropriate technology instruction to children
• Develops and maintains content for social media platforms such as Library blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest
• Develops and maintains the layout and appearance of the children’s space ensuring a safe and inviting area filled with relevant resources
• Mentors library staff in preparing and presenting children’s programs
• Assists with circulation, fines & fees management, reserves and opening/closing procedures
• May take responsibility for the facility, staff and operations in the absence of the Library Manager
• Maintains a working knowledge of trends in children's literature, youth services and the profession through webinars, meetings, internal training, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships
• Performs related duties as required

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Experience

• ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies
• Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York
• Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends for children in urban public libraries preferred

Required Skills

• Strong commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage
• Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs for Children and their parents/caregivers
• Knowledge and appreciation of children’s literature, audiovisual materials, computer resources, and other materials that constitute a balanced, relevant youth collection
• Experience developing, maintaining and marketing Children’s collections
• Experience building partnerships with local organizations and schools to better meet the needs of community users
• Demonstrated interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Successfully demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously
• Strong computer and other related technology skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google applications, PCs, Macs and e-reader devices
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer services including online searching, social media and reference resources and databases

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May temporarily oversee the library in the absence of the Library Manager

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish fluency preferred

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Public service library

Physical Duties

• Lifting up to 15 lbs.
• Remaining stationary for periods of time
• Daily use of a computer

Physical Required?

No

Union

Local 1930

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Schedule

35 hours per week to be scheduled during regular branch hours

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library

Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).