Managing Librarian, Programs and Outreach

The New York Public Library • New York, NY

6d • $76,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Overview
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) is the largest circulating library within the New York Public Library (NYPL) system. It serves as a vital hub for patrons in and around New York City, connecting neighborhood libraries with the extensive collections of our research libraries.

The Managing Librarian provides direct leadership and oversight to departmental staff, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of essential public services. This role involves active participation in daily operations, including staff supervision, problem-solving, and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures to best serve the community.

This onsite role requires a consistent presence within the department to foster strong relationships with staff and the community. The Managing Librarian will be actively engaged in directly addressing patron issues and concerns, and ensuring a visible and accessible point of contact for public service matters. A deep understanding of the SNFL library community is essential.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own:
Leadership of the SNFL’s adult programming and outreach services.
Communication and evaluation of community needs and trends, forecasting future demographic shifts, and formulating long-term strategies for programs and outreach.
Teach:
Best practices, ensuring staff have the hard and soft skills required to provide successful SNFL programs and outreach services.
Prioritizing tasks and managing multiple responsibilities.
Addressing public concerns and issues with tact, courtesy, and sound judgment.
Timely communication with colleagues regarding the requirements for library events and operations.
Listening actively, seeking mutual understanding, and managing direct reports to ensure efficient work in a fast-paced environment.
Learn:
New and emerging technologies and best practices in library programming and outreach services.
To understand the core roles and responsibilities of the team and the ability to comprehend and apply library policies and procedures when needed.
Improve:
Patrons’ programmatic experience aligned with flagship reading and engagement initiatives.
SNFL team engagement with regular strategic discussions to enhance programmatic offerings and attendance.
Cross-functional collaboration and communication.
Programs and outreach opportunities to significantly enhance the library’s presence and forge meaningful partnerships within the community.
Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month, this person will:
Become familiar with managerial responsibilities, project timelines, administrative tasks, and branch obligations.
Engage in one-on-one discussions with SNFL leadership, direct reports, internal staff, and key department heads to collaboratively support and enhance our programs and outreach initiatives.
Recommend best practices and protocols to support a robust series of programs and outreach initiatives.
3 months, this person will:
Work to create more efficient workflows for the programming/outreach team and more effectively communicate with our cross-functional team colleagues.
Responsible for participating in the hiring process related to new roles. Includes interviewing and decision-making for the procurement of new team members.
Responsible for effectively managing time in communicating with colleagues and other departments within the library, along with vendors and partnerships.
6 months and beyond, this person will:
Plan, develop, and implement flagship public programs and outreach initiatives to address the needs of a diverse community.
Partner with NYPL leadership to ensure ongoing professional development of staff to align skills and capabilities with the mission and strategic priorities of the Library
Utilizes internal and external metrics to report key issues to SNFL leadership and stakeholders, fostering data-driven decision-making.
Partner and strategize with other NYPL departments (administrative, support, and programmatic) to develop and launch new service initiatives and resolve staff & operational issues.
Work with SNFL leadership to develop a 5-year strategic plan to enhance readers' advisory opportunities and training for staff across all age groups

Requirements

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science
• Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York
• Demonstrated track record of successful implementation of flagship public programs in a large urban public library
• Demonstrated track record of connecting with large community organizations to promote the library and its resources
• Experience integrating emerging technologies and social media to bolster the patron experience and collaboration in both physical and virtual spaces
• Membership in professional library associations and related organizations
• Outstanding interpersonal, oral, written, and communication skills
• Extensive proficiency in using social media platforms and emerging technologies in libraries.
• Successfully demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, identify and assess problems, and decisively implement appropriate solutions or recommendations
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills, with a proven ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously and work independently while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Possess a robust analytical mindset, backed by a proven track record of leveraging metrics to drive strategic decision-making effectively.
• Manage a team of supervising librarians and non-union staff.
• Participate in information gathering and decision-making processes.
• Schedule monthly one-on-one meetings with direct reports to discuss their responsibilities and any related concerns.
• Support the selection, hiring, and performance evaluation of staff.
• Track and maintain monthly reports on SNFL programming, outreach, and other relevant statistics to support library initiatives and goals.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and lead a team to curate all adult programs and outreach activities at the library.
• Collaborate with the Director, Assistant Director, and unit heads of SNFL to design, plan, and lead engaging flagship programs and outreach events tailored to meet the interests and needs of adult patrons within the community.
• Take several shifts per week as the Leader on Duty (L.O.D.), and on the public service desk if needed. Provide public service support by addressing patron and staff issues or concerns and ensuring a visible, accessible point of contact for public service matters.
• Engage collaboratively on special library-wide initiatives that not only align with organizational goals but also enrich all facets of library programs and outreach. This includes enhancing public service, improving user experience, developing diverse collections, creating effective marketing strategies, and streamlining materials processing. Additionally, focus on implementing policies that foster a welcoming library environment, assessing and maintaining library facilities, and supporting staffing and performance management to ensure high-quality service for all patrons.
• Assist staff in creating engaging and visually appealing promotional materials to enhance branch programming and outreach initiatives.
• Identifying and facilitating outreach opportunities to expand the library’s presence and partnerships within the community.
• In the absence of the administration, assume overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the building.
• Participates in library and institution-wide committees or task forces as needed.
• Support other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees