Supervising Librarian

City of Palo Alto•Palo Alto, CA

10d

About The Position

The Palo Alto City Library is seeking a skilled, experienced, and passionate Supervising Librarian for its Community Engagement & Support Services division. This position supervises the daily operations of Collections and Acquisitions, manages staff, and oversees collections and technical services operations across the library’s five-branch system. The role is part of the library management team and involves supporting collection budgets and allocations, monitoring expenditures, working with vendors and contracts, overseeing acquisitions and processing work, managing collections at five locations, and assisting the Cataloging Librarian as needed. The position may also manage the day-to-day operation of one or more branch libraries and oversee service delivery in its program or operational area. The Supervising Librarian supervises, trains, and evaluates staff; develops plans, priorities, procedures, and policies; coordinates schedules; prepares budget requests; maintains records and reports; and participates in library goals and community engagement activities. The role requires positive relationships with library staff, patrons, community members, local authorities, and partner organizations.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited Library School of Information and Science program or an equivalent graduate degree; substantial completion of a graduate library education degree program plus at least three years of successful professional library experience may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.
Three years of full-time professional library experience relevant to the position.
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
Ability to operate a vehicle safely and conduct site visits to observe conditions.
Knowledge of computer technology and library applications, including an integrated library system, interlibrary loan module, and online reference databases.
Ability to connect positively with local governing authorities, community leaders and organizations, library staff, patrons, and the general public.
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in acquisitions, collection development, cataloging, and supervision.

Responsibilities

Supervise Support Services staff and participate as a member of the library management team.
Manage the day-to-day operation of one or more branch libraries.
Oversee Collections and Acquisitions, including collections and technical services operations across five library locations.
Assist with developing collection budgets and allocations, and monitor expenditures.
Work with vendors and contracts as needed.
Oversee acquisitions and processing work performed by associates, specialists, and clerks.
Assist the Cataloging Librarian with tasks as needed.
Assess customer needs and oversee and evaluate service delivery in the assigned program or operational area.
Answer public questions, provide information, investigate complaints, and recommend corrective action to resolve them.
Supervise, train, and evaluate subordinate library staff in ongoing program and facility operations.
Represent the library on cooperative library system committees, user groups, task forces, and professional associations.
Develop plans and priorities, prepare budget requests, develop procedures, and evaluate performance.
Coordinate staff schedules to provide adequate coverage.
Promote positive public relations and train staff to do the same.
Supervise meeting room bookings.
Communicate program-plan status to library staff.
Develop written procedures and policies within the area of responsibility.
Ensure statistical records and activity reports are prepared, maintained, and distributed.
Participate in formulating and implementing library goals and objectives.
Plan and participate in community-contact activities, including presentations, book sales or other fundraising activities, needs assessments, and responses to community service requests.
Foster a cooperative work environment and build positive connections with library and community constituencies.
Evaluate patron needs and preferences for library service.
Chair or participate in city and library system committees, and undertake special projects or related duties as required.