Lead Librarian - Archives and Special Collections

County of Mecklenburg, NC • Charlotte, IA

10d • $60,612 - $90,918 • Hybrid

About The Position

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is seeking a Lead Librarian for the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room (RSCR) to ensure the daily operations of the RSCR's physical space on the 4th floor of the new Main Library, opening in Spring of 2027. This role involves managing desk schedules, suggesting and implementing policies for public use of space, and providing assistance to the public. The position will also provide substantial research and reference assistance to community members and local officials, including conducting original research on local history, government, and culture. The Main Library is Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s (CML’s) flagship location and a unique cultural and civic destination situated in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Spanning 115,000 square feet, the new Main Library – scheduled to open in Spring 2027 – is a transformative project envisioned as a future-forward anchor for the community and a cornerstone of CML’s systemwide strategic goals. Main Library will serve as a public common, connecting knowledge, culture and creativity through library programs, specialized services and partner-delivered content. Co-located with the Theaters at Spirit Square, this site is designed to be a vibrant, inclusive and multi-use hub with the goal of strengthening public engagement, supporting economic opportunity and connecting community resources.

Requirements

• 3 years of progressive experience as a librarian.
• Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution
• NC Public Library certification required or must be obtained within a specific timeframe.
• Excellent verbal, grammatical and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent time management skills with attention to detail.
• Supervisory and leadership skills.
• Researching industry trends, solutions and best practices.
• Public speaking and community representation.
• Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, community groups or organizations to help achieve business goals
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequence
• Information Monitoring: Setting up ongoing procedures to collect and review information needed to manage an organization or ongoing activities within it
• Technical/professional Knowledge and Skills: Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise
• Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence
• Excellent command of various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced proficiency in various computer applications

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience conducting original research using archival materials
• Demonstrated interest in North Carolina history and culture
• Experience in writing long-form research reports (i.e., essays, reports, papers, etc. longer than 20 pages)
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience as a Librarian.
• Knowledge of current and future-focused library practices, evolving services, and contemporary and emerging resources.
• Strong commitment to excellent customer and community service.
• Proven project management skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a team or department, including experience as a trainer or team lead.
• Experience as a manager-on-duty of a facility; familiarity with opening/closing procedures, cash handling and responding to safety or security concerns.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate programs and services for a specific area (Adult, Teen, Children’s, Technology or Regional History/Genealogy).
• Provide professional library work for diverse audiences, including frequent face-to-face customer interactions, assistance with collections and access to library materials, resolution of complex reference, research/homework and readers’ advisory requests.
• Support Librarians, Library Associates and Library Assistants in the planning and execution of more complex library work.
• Provides leadership for systemwide projects and initiatives; works collaboratively with staff in other departments or branches, and with community partners.
• Serves as manager-on-duty for the department or branch; ensures issues with facilities, technology and security are reported in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Ensuring the daily operations of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room's physical space.
• Manage desk schedules, suggest and implement policies for public use of space, and provide assistance to the public.
• Provide substantial research and reference assistance to members of the community and local officials, including conducting original research on local history, government, and culture.

Benefits

• Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

What This Job Offers

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