Head of Library Advisory & Development

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Supervises and directs the work of the agency’s Library Advisory and Development Unit staff and programs. Responsible for oversight of the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) program, including budget creation and oversight; creating and monitoring procedures for reporting and managing grants; and developing new programs. Coordinates activities of the State Advisory Council on Libraries. Provides advisory services to public library directors, trustees, and Friends of the Library groups, guides the provision of services to special populations, and guides the provision of preservation and disaster recovery services to libraries. Serves as a member of the agency management team and supports/implements agency policies with unit staff.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of library & information science.
• Knowledge of municipal library structure in Massachusetts, especially regarding the relationships between libraries, their boards of trustees, and their municipalities.
• Knowledge of the concepts of public library planning and resource sharing.
• Knowledge of basic functions of library consortia and MBLC’s affiliated organizations.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of supervision of professional employees in a hybrid work environment.
• Knowledge of budgeting as it relates to program management.
• Exceptional proficiency in written and spoken English language including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation. Active, empathetic listener.
• Ability to understand, apply, and interpret the provisions of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines governing agency operations, agency programs, state agencies, and state library agencies.
• Ability to delegate work and resolve interpersonal conflicts effectively.
• Strong ability and willingness to work collaboratively with library-related groups and establish liaisons and partnerships with other organizations outside of libraries.
• Skill at leading instructional sessions for adults, both in-person and virtually.
• Ability to organize and set priorities for managing multiple projects with competing deadlines and varying levels of time pressure.
• Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet changing requirements.
• Willingness and ability to work occasional irregular hours (i.e., weekends, holidays, evenings).
• Willingness and ability to travel in state and occasionally out of state for job-related purposes.
• Five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in library administration.
• Of which at least three years must have been in a managerial or supervisory capacity.
• A Master’s degree with a major in Library Science may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (a) experience.
• A completed Doctorate or course work completed and a dissertation in progress with a major in library science, public administration, or a related discipline may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (a) experience.
• Requires a valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle for work-related travel.

Nice To Haves

• At least five years of successful management of professional employees.
• American Library Association-accredited MLS or MLIS.
• Knowledge of contemporary library service.
• Experience with grant writing and administration, library planning, and library management.
• Flexible, future-focused leader who can support and motivate others while keeping an eye on details and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develops the agency’s federal LSTA long-range plan, prepares budget and programming requests for the LSTA program, and determines spending priorities from requests by reporting staff. Presents these requests to the Director, State Advisory Council on Libraries, and the Board of Library Commissioners for approval.
• Coordinates activities of the State Advisory Council on Libraries including, but not limited to, ensuring the Council has a full roster, setting meeting dates and agendas, and ensuring that the Council has statewide multitype representation.
• Assists the Project Manager/Grants Specialist with all federally required reporting, and coordination of federal staff site visits. Periodically works with Business Office staff and other states’ library agencies on selection of LSTA grant evaluation consultant(s).
• Works with the Business Office and other states’ library agencies on selection of LSTA five-year plan consultants. Takes an active role in creation of the five-year plan. Monitors all LSTA activities to ensure compliance with the plan, federal law, and guidance documents from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
• Works closely with the Business Office staff to develop contracts for grants and programs, Requests for Responses (RFRs), Requests for Responses (RFRs), and other similar procurement vehicles.
• Speaks publicly to state, municipal, and library officials about agency programs and policies; prepares reports; and maintains collegial relationships with representatives of other state agencies and organizations.
• Prepares a monthly written report on unit activities for the Director and Board of Library Commissioners.
• Works closely with the Communications Director to promote unit programs.
• Develops and implements policies and priorities consistent with policies established by the Director and the Board of Library Commissioners and determines the most effective utilization of resources to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of unit operations.
• Directs and coordinates a comprehensive program for trustees, Friends of Libraries, and library foundations that provides information and workshops to assist in meeting their organizational and civic needs.
• Recommends training and collaboration priorities by evaluating the information needs of public librarians, the ability of the unit to meet those needs, and the availability of human, fiscal, and equipment resources needed to effectively prioritize and facilitate services.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of existing statutes and regulations as they relate to agency programs by reviewing written reports, agency statistical data, and legislative proposals, to determine what improvements are needed.
• Contributes annual updates to the agency’s Internal Control Plan, and ensures procedures and methods are documented and followed by all unit employees.
• Performs personnel functions for the Library Advisory and Development Unit in accordance with Commonwealth and agency policies by interviewing, selecting, and providing training for new staff, evaluating performances of direct reporting staff, resolving employee grievances, determining the need for and initiating disciplinary action in order to ensure adequate and competent staffing, and conducting performance evaluations of direct reporting staff.
• Performs other Library Advisory & Development and agency duties as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager