Children's Librarian - Westchester Square Library

New York Public Library; New York (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Public Library is seeking a Children’s Librarian for Westchester Square Library to empower children from infancy to pre-teen years. You will provide reference services, lead literacy programs, and collaborate with schools and community groups to promote reading and digital literacy.

Under supervision of the Library Manager, you will help shape the Children’s collection, engage families, and support branch operations. 35 hours/week, with a commitment to inclusive public service.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies.
• Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by NY.
• Knowledge of library technologies and urban public library trends for children.

Responsibilities

• Provide reference services and resource recommendations using print, media, and digital resources.
• Develop and facilitate programs to promote literacy and reading for children and families.
• Collaborate with Youth Educational Services to offer storytimes, arts, STEM, and summer programs.
• Maintain children’s collection with diverse, current materials and partnerships with schools/organizations.
• Engage children with collections and social media content.
• Mentor staff in planning and presenting children’s programs.
• Assist with circulation, fines/fees, reserves, and branch operations.

Skills

Public service

Program development

Community partnerships

Interpersonal skills

Technology literacy

Team collaboration

Organization & planning

Reference and info services

Multitasking

Storytime/early literacy

Education

ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library & Information Studies

Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate (NY)

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Google applications

Social media/tools (FB, Twitter, Blogs)

e-reader devices

Job description

Children's Librarian - Westchester Square Library

Application Deadline: 16 November 2026

Department: Branch Libraries

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Westchester Square Library

Reporting To: Luz Marin

Compensation: $70,393 / year

Description

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

More...

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).