Youth & Early Literacy Research Specialist

The Youth Services Department of the Los Angeles Public Library coordinates and oversees systemwide services for children and teens, parents and caregivers, and educators. This includes its cornerstone initiatives—We Read Together and Future Ready Teens. We Read Together describes LAPL’s service offerings for children ages 0 to 11. This initiative focuses on children starting as early as birth as they learn to read and then read to learn—while empowering their networks of support (parents, caregivers, librarians, and educators). Future Ready Teens describes LAPL’s services and programs for youth ages 11 to 19. This initiative focuses on empowering teens and their support networks, supporting and strengthening teen literacy, encouraging exploration of personal interests, and developing essential skills for successful adulthood.

LAPL is looking to make its youth programs, services, events, and other resources for emerging and struggling readers more inclusive and accessible, including for those with developmental disabilities, learning difficulties, and sensory impairments. This includes creating a new innovative program using a research-driven approach to support emerging and struggling readers and adapting existing LAPL programs and services for youth to be more accessible to children and teens with learning and developmental impairments, including dyslexia.

The youth and early literacy specialist would report to the Youth Services Department staff and produce the following deliverables during the 12-month contract period:

• Assess LAPL’s youth programs, materials, and spaces concerning accessibility and literacy support for emerging and struggling readers to include staff and community feedback/input
• Work with LAPL’s LAUSD School Librarian liaison to research the public school district’s supportive services for youth experiencing learning difficulties and identify potential ways libraries can supplement what schools provide
  • This would include staff and parent feedback, and community input to engage them in the development process
• Create asset maps to identify potential partner organizations that provide youth-focused literacy resources in alignment with LAPL’s mission
• Develop a research-driven plan (that includes assessment) and timeline for LAPL to support youth with learning difficulties and their support networks through existing services and new, innovative program offerings
• Working with Youth Services staff, create training materials for new program offerings for emerging and struggling readers, including group instruction sessions for youth librarians
• Working with Youth Services staff, strengthen partnerships with community-based literacy organizations and cooperatives such as Read LA! coalition, etc.

Qualifications:

• Eligible to be hired as an Independent Contractor under CA State Law
• Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, or a related field
• Strong understanding of literacy theories, including the Science of Reading and English Language Development, and dyslexia and other reading disorders
• Strong interpersonal skills, with excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Good analytical and numerical skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to take initiative
• Excellent organizational skills
• Creativity and problem-solving skills
• Flexibility and drive
• Knowledge of Los Angeles neighborhoods
• Access to reliable transportation, including alternative transportation, including public transportation, ride-share services, carpooling, etc., to travel throughout the Los Angeles area

Preferred:

• Earned or in progress doctorate in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field from an accredited university
• Candidates who are based in the City of Los Angeles or L.A. County