Principal Librarian

City of Anaheim•Anaheim, CA

About The Position

The Anaheim Public Library is seeking an experienced Principal Librarian to lead and coordinate specialized, complex, and advanced professional Mobile Library services, including a Bookmobile and a STEAM Van. The role oversees daily operations and service delivery across the Anaheim community and local school districts. It supervises and supports professional and paraprofessional public service staff, promotes excellent customer service and efficient workflows, and develops innovative programming. The position supports community engagement and literacy through collaboration. The Principal Librarian oversees a branch or major library function and develops service plans, programs, and collections for designated areas. The role provides subject-matter leadership, resolves complex patron concerns, coordinates projects, and represents the Library in work with community organizations and City departments. The position typically requires a qualifying graduate degree in library science and four years of professional librarian experience in a specialized subject area, or experience equivalent to two years as a Senior Librarian. Applicants must be available to work evenings and weekends. Employees typically work in an open public area of a library building with moderate noise, controlled temperatures, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The role involves mobility around library and meeting sites, frequent handling of library materials, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items averaging 20 pounds and up to 50 pounds with lifting or moving equipment.

Requirements

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Master of Library Science (MLS), or Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree from an accredited college or university, or qualifying equivalent training and experience.
Four years of experience as a professional librarian, including qualifications and experience in a specialized subject area, or experience equivalent to two years as a Senior Librarian.
Ability to supervise and direct program-unit staff and perform professional library tasks, including reference, readers’ advisory, program and service development, collection development, and cataloging.
Knowledge of budget development, monitoring, and implementation; library operating principles; supervision and training; professional library practices; cataloging and bibliographic research; material selection; and promotion of library services.
Ability to use computers and other technology for customer assistance, research, reports, and communications.
Ability to communicate tactfully and diplomatically, provide high-quality customer service, research and summarize data, prepare reports, plan specialized library operations, and write grant applications.
Ability to organize and prioritize projects and tasks, meet deadlines, make independent decisions within established guidelines, and maintain positive working relationships.
Must be available to work evenings and weekends.
Ability to meet the stated mobility, communication, dexterity, and material-handling demands of the position, including lifting or moving items up to 50 pounds with lifting or moving equipment.

Responsibilities

Oversee a branch or major function of Central Library Services, such as Mobile Services, children’s services, adult services, system-wide reference services technology, or system-wide collection development.
Develop and implement a branch, Mobile Services, or work-unit service plan.
Develop, implement, and evaluate services and programs in designated areas, and coordinate joint projects with other Community Services Divisions and City departments.
Resolve patron issues escalated beyond the Librarian or Senior Librarian level.
Oversee collection development activities, including material selection, weeding, and donated materials.
Review, select, develop, maintain, promote, and deselect materials in a variety of media formats to build collections serving a diverse community.
Respond to complex suggestions, requests, and concerns from library users and community members.
Create volunteer and internship opportunities for students, adults with disabilities, and retired community members.
Provide leadership and serve as a subject-matter expert in a designated area of expertise.
Lead meetings, committees, or projects to enhance services and promote consistent policies and procedures.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.