Half-Time Early Literacy Associate - Edgerton

Mid-Continent Public Library; Edgerton (WI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Half-Time Early Literacy Associate at Mid-Continent Public Library in Edgerton, MO, will work at a home branch with occasional coverage at Camden Point and Dearborn for Storytimes and outreach. The schedule includes mornings, afternoons, and evenings with Saturday rotations.

This role involves direct customer service, programming for birth through age 5, creating displays, and partnering with schools and community groups to promote early literacy.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in customer service preferred.
• Experience with youth services is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service at information desk and over the phone.
• Assist early learners (birth–5) with programs and displays.
• Present storytime, literacy activities, and outreach at schools/partners.
• Coordinate and implement library initiatives for early literacy.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma/HiSet/GED

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Half-Time Early Literacy Associate - Edgerton

Half Time Edgerton, MO, US

At Mid-Continent Public Library, we:

Imagine. We inspire innovation through curiosity and exploration.

Try new things. We empower what works and learn from the rest.

Lead the way. We connect people to information, ideas, and inspiration.

Welcome all. We embrace new perspectives and listen with humility.

Everything we do, we do together.

Schedule: This position will have a home branch of Edgerton, but will float to the Camden Point and Dearborn branches to help cover as needed for Storytimes and outreach events. Schedule will be a mixture of mornings, afternoons, and evenings within operational hours, with Saturdays on a rotation.

Position Overview

The Early Literacy Associate is responsible for providing excellent customer service and spends a portion of every day working directly with customers at an information desk. They are also responsible for providing library service to early learners (birth through age 5) including creating displays and presenting programs both in the library and at community partners including schools. Programs for early learners will include storytime.

Essential Functions

• Provides Customer Service in person and over the phone
• Acts as a guide for customers in use of the library and its resources
• Demonstrates use of technology and digital services to customers
• Recommends materials to customers based on interests, needs and availability
• Assists customers with library card accounts, including the receiving and recording of payment
• Delivers materials outdoors to customers who request curbside delivery
• Provides library service to early learners
  • Branch expert of MCPL customer service to early learners
  • Understanding of early literacy and the ability to provide reader’s advisory for early literacy
  • Presents, evaluates programs for early learners that bring fun and learning together
  • Hosts programs for early learners, including story times, early literacy fairs, and hosting external presenters
  • Evaluates programs, keeps records, and reports branch activity
  • Coordinates and implements Library initiatives, including reading programs
  • Monitors youth collection footprint for display needs, floating, passive program opportunities, and customer service
  • Conducts outreach and develops partnerships with community-based organizations, including daycares and schools.
  • Understands basic child and adolescent development theories and their implications for library service
• Contributes to the maintenance of the library collection
  • Processes library materials for customer access
  • Shelves library materials correctly and efficiently
  • Straightens and shifts library materials to ensure adequate space and a neat appearance

Non-Essential Functions

• This position could be designed as shift lead

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma/HiSet/GED Completion Required
• Customer Service experience Preferred
• 2 years relevant experience in working with youth Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

All successful team members at MCPL should demonstrate:

• Ability to use effective verbal, written, and discreet communication with management, co-workers, and the public.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of department processes and procedures and critical thinking skills to make decisions pertaining to the position.
• Proficiency in providing friendly and solution-oriented customer service attitude and delivery with internal and external customers.
• Fundamental understanding of their own contribution to a welcoming and respectful workplace and library for all.
• Sufficient understanding of the MCPL value of intellectual freedom in order to uphold those values while performing their job duties.
• Strong ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team.
• Reliable, punctual, and flexible with scheduling.
• Good communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing needs.

Age Requirement

• Must be at least 18 years of age

MVR Requirement

• None
• (Indoor/Outdoor) Works both indoors and outdoors and must have considerable tolerance for weather conditions, dust, mold, scents, allergens, and communicable diseases which enable the employee to work outside at a facility, handle construction and library materials, work in older buildings and on jobsites, and interact with coworkers and the public

Essential physical abilities to be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation are

Daily (greater than 50% of the time)

• Standing (up to 1 hour at a time)
• Kneeling
• Reaching above shoulder
• Receiving Communication and Instructions (vision, reading, hearing)
• Conveying Communication and Instructions (Speaking, writing)
• Using computer data entry tools - keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, scanner
• Receiving Communication and Instructions (vision, reading, hearing)
• Conveying Communication and Instructions (Speaking, writing)
• Using computer data entry tools - keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, scanner

Frequently (up to 50% of the time)

• Standing (more than 1 hour at a time)
• Standing (up to 1 hour at a time)
• Standing (more than 1 hour at a time)
• Kneeling
• Reaching above shoulder

Occasionally (approximately 1-2 times per month)

• Climbing stepstools
• Climbing ladders

Rarely (1-5 times per year)

• Climbing stepstools
• Climbing ladders

"This is a Bargaining Unit Position with CWA 6360"

NOTE:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected class in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Any applicant requiring an accommodation should contact the Mid-Continent Public Library Human Resources Department at 816.836.5200.

Applicants will be considered for employment opportunities on the merits of their skills and experience related to the position sought. Employment offers are conditional upon submitting a criminal records check, identity verification, and national sex offender registry check. Applicants will not be denied employment solely or in part because of a prior conviction, unless MCPL determines the conviction is job‑related. If a background check yields information that is of concern to MCPL, the applicant will be given an opportunity to review the background check findings and present information regarding inaccuracy, mitigating circumstances, and rehabilitation.