The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is looking for an Outreach Storyteller who is energetic, an effective communicator, organized, and has a passion for sparking curiosity with young children in our community.

Outreach Storytellers research, prepare, and present early childhood programing for various sites throughout the community and for digital use.  Outreach Storytellers excite young children about reading and learning and support their adults in doing the same.  In addition, Outreach Storytellers provide indirect and direct customer service through reader’s advisory, material selection, research, reference, referral, technology usage, and library usage in person, by phone, or through digital media from the library proper and as a part of community outreach.

As the Outreach Storyteller some of the things you will do are:

Program Development

• Create age-appropriate programming to meet the unique needs of youth aged birth-5.
• Research, prepare, present, facilitate, and evaluate physical and virtual learning opportunities for the public based upon community needs and interests individually and as part of a team.
• Follow the library’s programming framework when planning, presenting, and evaluating programs.

Customer Engagement

• Provide indirect and direct customer service. Deliver high quality customer service by assisting customers with library materials, digital resources, technology equipment, information needs, or other services.  Engage with customers in person, over the phone, by email, by text messaging, or by chat services.  Promote the use of services, materials, and programs to customers. These interactions may occur in the Library or in the community, including at outreach sites and locations.
• Instruct customers on how to locate, reserve, and check out materials. Instruct customers on how to locate and register for services. Troubleshoot issues related to services, materials, and technology use. Communicate well with children and adults. Interactions may take place in the library or in the community as outreach.
• Maintain collections and spaces for ease of use, attractiveness, and general upkeep.
• Ensure that customers are abiding by all library policies and procedures to allow for a safe and enjoyable experience for all library visitors and staff.

Attendance

• Maintain prompt arrival and efficiently and dependably maintains scheduled hours.

Outreach Storytellers drive their own vehicles to various locations throughout the community and are reimbursed for mileage by the Library.

Position Requirements/Preferences

Required:

• • Four years of experience working directly in a professional capacity with children ages 3-5 or equivalent education from an accredited college or university in education or similar field is required.

• • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Valid Kansas Driver’s License with insurable driving record.
  • Must obtain and maintain a negative tuberculosis (TB) test.

Preferred:

• Multi-lingual fluency.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of contemporary children’s literature, authors, and pop culture.
• Knowledge of library tools and learning resources such as databases, print resource and online resources.
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite applications, preferably Office 365.
• Strong interpersonal, written communication, oral communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with customers, volunteers, community partners, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Ability to perform detailed work with accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral formats to children and adults.
• Ability to use technology necessary for the position and learn new technology as it is needed.
• Ability to travel safely to outreach sites within the community.
• Ability to work scheduled hours, arrive promptly, and maintain regular, reliable attendance.

A pre and/or post-employment drug screen, criminal history record check and physical capacity testing are required as a condition of employment.

SCHEDULE: Part-time 20 hours per week. Days and occasional nights and/or weekends are required.

PAY & BENEFITS: Hourly rate will be in the range of $17.80 to $22.25 depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits including health & dental insurance with pre-tax premiums, and a retirement plan (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System KPERS). Group life, disability coverage and accidental death benefits are also provided. Other optional benefits available at employee’s expense include vision, life and cancer insurance and a deferred compensation plan.

About the Library:

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Library Journal 2016 Library of the Year, is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique (bookstore and gift shop), free meeting rooms, computer training and free gigabit Wi-Fi access.

Located in the heart of Shawnee County, the library has a collection of more than 450,000 books and serves more than 111,000 registered borrowers. About 1,500 people walk through our doors daily. Our bookmobiles make about 20 stops six days a week traveling across the county. We provide services to 55 senior living facilities and 85 homebound individuals. Our Library At Work program delivers library materials to mailrooms at 15 employers throughout the community. Our website serves customers’ needs 24/7. The library offers state-of-the art technology, youth programs that encourage learning and reading, accessibility services addressing the needs of older readers and persons with disabilities, and reference and research tools.

The library is a great meeting venue for community groups and is a cultural hub for art, music and literature. People of all ages discover and experience art at the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery. We connect individuals to culture, art and artists – both modern and classic. The gallery is also recognized for two national art competitions and its annual art exhibit for children. Professional exhibits from the library’s permanent collection (the oldest in the city) as well as traveling exhibits draw nearly 20,000 visitors annually.

The library is helping to transform the lives of its citizens through five community impact goals:

1. Every child will be ready for kindergarten;
2. Everyone will discover their passion for learning;
3. Everyone will continue learning new ways to live their best life
4. Topeka and Shawnee County will be an engaged community of readers; and
5. The Library will be a learning organization committed to excellence in: Leadership, planning, customer focus, process management and partner focus.