Help Wanted : Children’s Librarian

help wanted

Location: Webster Groves Public Library, 301 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves MO, 63119
Salary: Starting at $49,200, depending on qualifications and experience
Benefits: Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave. Medical Insurance, Vision & Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, Retirement – Missouri LAGERS
Application Deadline: May 21, 2026
How to Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter to mmorris@wgpl.org

The Webster Groves Public Library is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and community-focused Children’s Librarian to lead and grow our youth services department.

This leadership role is ideal for someone passionate about connecting children and families with books, learning opportunities, and meaningful library experiences. The Children’s Librarian serves as the Library’s primary youth services specialist, overseeing services for children from birth through age 18 and their caregivers, supervising Children’s Room staff, and serving as part of the Library’s leadership team.

If you love children’s literature, early literacy, programming, outreach, and building strong community connections, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

Youth Services Leadership

  • Lead the planning, development, and delivery of library services for children and families
  • Supervise, mentor, and support Children’s Room staff
  • Participate in library-wide planning and organizational leadership initiatives

Programming & Outreach

  • Design and lead engaging programs for children and families that promote literacy, creativity, and lifelong learning
  • Build partnerships with schools, early childhood centers, and community organizations
  • Represent the Library through outreach and community engagement efforts

Collection Development & Cataloging

  • Select, catalog, and maintain youth materials in accordance with library standards
  • Evaluate, maintain, and refresh collections to keep materials relevant, accessible, and engaging
  • Stay current on trends in children’s publishing, education, and media

Reader Services

  • Provide readers’ advisory and reference services to children, caregivers, and educators
  • Support youth and families with technology and library resource assistance

Planning & Evaluation

  • Assist with budget planning and expenditure tracking for youth collections and programming
  • Track program and service statistics and evaluate impact to improve services

Qualifications
We’re looking for someone who has:

  • Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school preferred; candidates currently enrolled in an MLIS program or with significant related experience are encouraged to apply
  • Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible library experience, including supervisory experience
  • Demonstrated experience in early literacy, youth programming, and community outreach
  • Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills
  • Knowledge of children’s literature and public library services
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe, web browsers, and integrated library systems
  • Ability to pass a background check

Schedule & Physical Requirements
This position includes weekday, evening, and weekend hours. The schedule is usually one evening per week and every other weekend.
Candidates should be able to:

  • Stand for extended periods (up to 4 hours), lift and move library materials up to 30 pounds, push carts and reach shelving areas as needed

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Webster Groves Public Library is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and will continue to recruit, hire, promote, train, and develop into all job levels without regard to race, color, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), religion, national origin, genetic information or disability. In recognition of the essential rights of all employees and applicants as individuals, it is the policy of the Webster Groves Public Library to recruit, hire, train, develop, and promote in all job classifications without discrimination to achieve equality in employment practices. The Library does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability. It is also the policy of the Library to act affirmatively in those areas where societal discrimination has denied equality of opportunity, particularly where under-representation exists. Special emphasis will be placed upon recruiting qualified minorities, women, veterans, and disabled individuals.