Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Chris Confer

Arlington Heights,IL

Summary

Motivated and passionate library professional specializing in community engagement. Dedicated to creating lifelong readers, enthusiastic learners, and to fostering a supportive, inclusive community for young patrons. Seeking opportunities to lead a dynamic team and to mentor young library professionals.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Youth Services Librarian

Barrington Area Library
10.2016 - Current
  • Establish partnerships with local non-profit organizations, provided off-site Library outreach at community events (attendance ranges from low tens to around 1000 people).
  • Assist patrons with reference questions, computer searches, and inter-library loans.
  • Develop strong relationships with local schools, promoting library resources and services to educators and students.
  • Train new Youth Services staff, modeled service; act as a reference.
  • Introduce new tech/STEM resources to the department. Train Youth Services staff on these resources.
  • Maintain detailed records of program attendance, circulation statistics, and budget allocations. Recorded departmental statistics (programs, attendance) for the Library board while our department head was on leave.
  • Work with librarians and staff from other departments to develop library-wide programs. Collaborated with Adult Services to developing young adult programs; also met with local GSA for input.
  • Evaluate and select new materials for the Youth collection (AV materials, graphic novels, nonfiction), ensuring a balanced representation of diverse perspectives and subject matter.
  • Create a welcoming environment for all visitors. Developed "comfort kits" for users with sensory needs and developed sensory-friendly programs.
  • Represent Youth Services on the EDI Committee.
  • Manage the department's YouTube channel, editing and uploading virtual story times, rhymes, fingerplays, and booktalks.

Intern

Monroe County Public Library
01.2016 - 07.2016
  • Worked with teens and young adults, provided programming and guided activities, as well as passive programming.
  • Answered reference questions from patrons.
  • Conducted independent study on "pop-up programming" in a HOMAGO-oriented environment.

User Services Assistant

Kinsey Institute
05.2013 - 07.2016
  • Performed reference surveys and interviews with patrons.
  • Digitized archival materials.
  • Pulled and shelved materials.
  • Processed donated materials.
  • Performed monthly financial reports.
  • Participated in special projects on behalf of the Kinsey Institute Library.

Education

Master of Science - Library Science

Indiana University, Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
08-2016

Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education

Indiana University, Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
08.2013

Skills

  • Reference services
  • Collection development
  • Youth-friendly technology
  • Reader's advisory
  • Collaborative planning
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Community engagement
  • Child development
  • Digital literacy

Timeline

Youth Services Librarian

Barrington Area Library
10.2016 - Current

Intern

Monroe County Public Library
01.2016 - 07.2016

User Services Assistant

Kinsey Institute
05.2013 - 07.2016

Master of Science - Library Science

Indiana University, Bloomington

Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education

Indiana University, Bloomington

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Chris Confer