Assistant Director, Center for Children's Books - School of Information Sciences

Assistant Director, Center for Children's Books - School of Information Sciences

School of Information Sciences

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Job Summary:

The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) seeks an Assistant Director, Center for Children's Books (CCB) to work with the Director of the Center and the Editor of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books to develop and implement strategies to retain and grow the CCB's reputation as a national leader in youth librarianship, children's materials, and the Youth-Information-Technology triad.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Scholarly publications development:

Select digital platform for multimedia student review journal.

Create policy and procedures around a student-driven, staff-guided born-digital book and media review journal to be published semi-annually as a complement to the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Editorial Management:

Work with editor of the Bulletin and student leadership to screen new books received (approximately 5000 a year) to select for review those texts that will best complement the titles reviewed by the Bulletin (e.g., new voices, perspectives, presses).

In coordination with student leadership, manage and edit all reviews for publication, including but not limited to proofreading, copy editing, and issue production.

Maintain an extensive knowledge of the genre of children's literature, its history, its context, and its contemporary characteristics.

Teaching:

Serve as the teacher of record for IS 563 CL, a course on reviewing children's literature, twice each calendar year.

Collaborate with Academic Affairs in vetting and supervising adjunct instructors teaching 563 CL - "Reviewing Children's Literature."

Supervise adjunct instructors of IS 563 CL to ensure curricular consistency and optimum student experience.

Creation, implementation, and promotion of engagement and professional development.

Programming:

Design and implement outreach programming and professional development opportunities for CCB stakeholders (iSchool students and faculty, librarians, teachers, parents, youth, authors, researchers).

Collaborate with the iSchool communications staff to promote on social media and print media the CCB's new and ongoing initiatives.

Physical Demands:

• Sitting : Frequently
• Reaching : Rarely
• Grip/Dexterity : Frequently
• Talking : Frequently
• Hearing : Frequently
• Repetitive Motions : Frequently for computer usage
• Visual Acuity : Frequently for computer usage

Additional Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a general office environment.

Working Conditions:

• Humidity : Rarely
• Temperature Changes : Occasionally

Minimum Qualifications:

• MSLIS or master's degree in a related field.
• One year of experience in scholarly publications, database management and social media management.
• Two years of teaching experience.
• Two years of book reviewing experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant book reviewing experience.
• Youth Services Librarianship and/or Youth Literature experience.
• Adult education/professional development experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Excellent teaching record.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary youth literature and media.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 2/28/2023. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on 2/15/2022. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Sara Schwebel. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.