Position Overview
The Children’s Library Supervisor is responsible for the management and operation of public services, collection development, and programming in the Children’s Library. The supervisor provides leadership to a team of three full-time children’s librarians, fostering their professional growth and ensuring the delivery of exceptional library services to children and families.
The Wauwatosa Public Library serves a population of 48,000 and the Children’s Library in 2023 offered 400 programs and checked out over 400,000 items. With a focus on literacy development, the Children’s Library team encourages reading and lifelong discovery all day, every day.
The starting pay for this position ranges from ($77,177.60 - $97,593.60+/- annually), depending on experience and qualifications. Effective June 16, 2024, the City of Wauwatosa is implementing a new compensation plan. The Children's Library Supervisor position will have a salary range of ($82,284.80 to $105,144.00 +/- annually. This is complemented by an excellent benefits package, a robust wellness program, an on-site fitness center, a free workplace clinic, paid parental leave, generous paid holidays and vacation, a pension plan, volunteer time off, a flexible workplace environment and the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals who have a passion for public service. (Click the Benefits tab to find out more!)
We hire people with strong technical skills who embrace change and who are ready to help make Wauwatosa a better, stronger community and invite you to apply today!
Essential Functions
- Supervise Children’s Library staff. Schedule and plan work, oversee timekeeping and performance management, and assist in goal setting. Assist in overseeing Library Shelvers and volunteers.
- Develop strategic directions for the Children's Library in alignment with WPL strategic goals.
- Coordinate and develop age-appropriate programs, workshops, and training for children and families.
- Manage the development and maintenance of the Children’s Library collection.
- Aid patrons in discovery and literacy development by overseeing reference, information and readers advisory services to patrons of varied ages, abilities and skill levels.
- Oversee staff development of informational brochures, book lists and other publicity.
- Recommend policies and procedures related to services to the Library Director.
- Represent the Children’s Library in the community.
- Prepare reports as needed.
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Library Science from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program.
- Five to seven years of experience working as a Children’s Librarian in a public library.
- Two years of supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated leadership ability.
- Ability to direct and supervise the work of others.
- Ability to administer a budget effectively.
- Advanced knowledge of library operations, services, and materials.
- Strong desire to work with and understand children, and knowledge of childhood development.
- Knowledge of children’s literature.
- Storytelling experience and ability to perform in front of groups of children and capture their attention.
- Ability to build relationships and partnerships with schools, community organizations, and businesses.
- A thorough knowledge of computer applications for library services and proficiency in computer operation.
- Artistic skills used in creating posters, displays, etc. is highly desirable.
- Ability to gather statistics, analyze information and present reports, both orally and in writing.
- Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
In evaluating candidates for this position, The City of Wauwatosa may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.
Additional Information
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, twist and reach. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is also regularly required to talk and hear, in person, in meetings and by telephone. They will need to interact with city management, employees, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to safely lift and carry up to 10 pounds regularly, and lift/push/move up to 50 pounds frequently.
Work Environment:
The noise in the work environment is usually quiet. An employee in this class generally works in a standard library environment with exposure to individuals who may be agitated or angry.
The City of Wauwatosa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, The City of Wauwatosa will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.