at Darien Library, CT

An extraordinary opportunity for an extraordinary new children’s librarian.

We welcome your interest in the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Fellowship. 

Harold W. McGraw, Jr. was an active supporter of Darien Library with a personal commitment to education and a belief in the important role a child's library experiences play at the beginning of life-long literacy. The McGraw family has funded the formation of a Children's Librarian Fellowship at Darien Library to honor his memory, through a two-year full-salaried position for a recent Master in Library Science graduate who:

• demonstrates exemplary scholarship
• possesses a passion for working with children and for the development of literacy
• shows significant leadership promise
• has strong personal qualities
• demonstrates a penchant for technology 

Selection Process

The Fellowship will be open to LIS graduates from an accredited Library School in the United States or Canada who will have received their diploma between December 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012.

Applications will be due March 30, 2012. After initial screening, interviews for finalists will be held at a mutually convenient time and place, and the finalist will be invited to visit Darien Library for a meeting with the Fellowship Committee prior to appointment. 

Term

The successful applicant will be employed at Darien Library for two years, commencing approxiately July 1, 2012, with a final employment date of June 30, 2014.

Compensation

The Fellow will be paid initially at the Connecticut Library Association MLS minimum salary for entry-level positions (for 2012: $50,700) with full benefits, paid membership in CLA and ALA, funding for attendance at the American Library Association Annual Meeting and other meetings as appropriate.

Position Parameters
The Fellow will work as a member of the Children's Services team, providing reference and readers' advisory services in addition to creating and conducting programs for children and families. The Fellow will be given specific, defined, high-stakes projects and responsibilities that will be determined by the successful candidate's skills and interests. The Fellowship will provide experience, growth and challenges in the following areas

• Children's materials collection development
• Program development, implementation and evaluation
• Marketing to defined areas of the community
• Continuing education, professional development and support
• Access to the latest technology

Harold W. McGraw, Jr. (1918-2010) Chairman Emeritus and Former CEO, The McGraw-Hill Companies and Honorary Trustee of Darien Library, was a steadfast and generous supporter, esteemed leader, thoughtful mentor and beloved friend. His support of the engagement, education and entertainment of children was unwavering; it reflected his commitment to the important role of public libraries from the beginning to the end of the life of each person in the community. This Fellowship, created in honor of his memory, will provide a transformational experience for a highly-qualified recent Library School graduate to learn from, and contribute to, the leading role the Children’s Library at Darien Library is playing in developing new services to children and their families.

Application Process  

All applications should include the following:

• A cover letter of no more than one page
• Resume of no more than two pages
• Two essays
  • In up to 100 words, tell us "One thing I know for sure."
  • In up to 500 words, tell us "Why I will make a difference at Darien Library."
• A video of no more than two minutes in which you tell us which is your favorite children’s book and convince us to read it.
• No more than five references, attesting to your love of children, passion for literacy, and penchant for technology. (May be sent separately.)
• Graduate school transcript
• Undergraduate transcript
•  Application Checklist (pdf)

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on March 30, 2012 and should be delivered to:

Late applications will not be opened and will not be considered. Faxes cannot be accepted. 

Applications will be reviewed immediately, all respondents will be advised of our decision by April 10, and first round phone interviews will be held in April. Final interviews will be completed in May 2012. The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Fellow will be selected and notified by June 1, 2012, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2012.

Queries can be addressed to fellowship@darienlibrary.org