The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, part of The New York Public
Library, serves patrons who are eligible to borrow materials from the National Library
Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) in the five boroughs of New York City
and Long Island. We offer onsite service to NLS and NYPL users and an extensive
mail service to NLS patrons. The Children’s librarian serves both the Chelsea/Flatiron
neighborhood community of families as well as youth who are blind or print disabled
all throughout the Andrew Heiskell service area.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Supervising Librarian this Librarian position focuses on Children and:
● Develops and delivers innovative services and programs for children (0-13)
who have difficulty reading standard printed materials because of blindness,
visual impairment, physical disability that limits the ability to hold a book or turn
pages, or due to reading disability
● Travels to promote library services throughout New York City and Long Island
as necessary, including leading outreach to and developing partnerships with
youth-related organizations, agencies and schools that work with current and
potential users of the National Library Service (NLS) to increase awareness of
services, programs, and collections.
● Provides reader's advisory, general information desk help, and registration
assistance to users of all ages in person at public service desks, over the
telephone, and online via email and social media platforms including instructing
patrons in the use of library and basic assistive technology.
● Participates in designing and implementing new services and/or process
improvements to existing services and develops strategies to enhance the user
experience.
● Collaborates with the Children’s Services Department to develop, promote and facilitate inclusive 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 of those with visual, physical, and/or print disabilities,
including storytimes and other early literacy programs, 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
● Produces and edits content for the Andrew Heiskell Library’s social media
accounts, blog, and quarterly newsletter, NewsLion
● Assists with subject cataloging of NLS materials.
● Develops familiarity with NLS-specific resources, including BARD (the NLS
digital book download site), BARD Mobile, Bookshare, and the Keystone
Library Automation System (KLAS) to a problem solving level.
● Participates in spreading awareness and giving input within the NYPL system
on serving children with disabilities
● Performs related duties as required

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
• Demonstrated customer service skills, including the ability to work patiently, thoroughly, and accurately with patrons who may need extended assistance
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver effective presentations to the public
• Successful track record of demonstrating creativity, flexibility, and initiative in accommodating community and staff needs
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver a diverse program of activities and perform outreach
• Experience and interest in working with people with disabilities