2018 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Fellowship - Darien Library
seeks a new Children's Librarian for an extraordinary opportunity.
Harold McGraw 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 in 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 possesses: Exemplary scholarship, a passion for working with
children and for the development of literacy, significant leadership
promise, strong personal qualities, and 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 his or her diploma between September 1,
2017 and September 1, 2018. Applications will be due February 15, 2018.
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 approximately July 1, 2018,
with a final employment date of June 30, 2020.
Compensation: The Fellow will be paid initially at the
Connecticut Library Association MLS minimum salary for entry-level
positions (for 2017: $52,650) with full benefits, paid membership in CLA
and ALA, and 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
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; outreach to defined areas of the community; continuing
education and professional development; access to the latest technology.
This Fellowship is an opportunity to work on significant projects and
gain experience in close coordination with a strong staff.
Application Process: All applications should include
the following: (1) Cover Letter. (2) Resume/CV. (3) 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." (4) 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. Video submitted via an
online link. Video can be emailed to fellowship@darienlibrary.org.
(5) 3 References, attesting to your love of children, passion for
literacy, and penchant for technology. References may be sent
separately. (6) Official Graduate School Transcript. (7) Official
Undergraduate School Transcript. (8) Application Checklist (Download).
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on February 15, 2018
and should be delivered to: Darien Library, Harold W. McGraw, Jr.
Fellowship, Attn: Cathy McLachlan, 1441 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820.
Late applications will not be considered. Queries can be addressed to fellowship@darienlibrary.org.
Timeline: Applications will be reviewed immediately,
all respondents will be advised of our decision by March 15, and first
round phone interviews will be held in March. Final interviews will be
completed in April 2018. The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Fellow will be
selected and notified by May 1, 2018, with an anticipated start date of
July 1, 2018.
