Lead Librarian - Robinson - Spangler Carolina Room

Lead Librarian
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

“Follow your calling, Find your career”     

Please apply by 10/08/26

Salary Range $60,612.00 - $90,918.00
This is an exempt (salaried) position. 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.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving one of the country’s great emerging metropolitan areas in North Carolina. Our library system serves a community of approximately one million citizens in the city of Charlotte and the towns of Matthews, Pineville, Mint Hill, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville – all located in Mecklenburg County. Accessible and welcoming to all, our library celebrates the joy of reading, fosters learning and growth, connects people to each other and the world, and inspires individuals with what they can achieve. Through our 20 locations, online, and through targeted outreach, we deliver exceptional library services and programs with a mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas.

Location:
Permanent Location Once Open:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Main Library
310 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Temporary Location Until Spring 2027:
Library Administration Center
510 Stitt Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28213

Schedule:
Rotating schedule: Including 1-2 evenings per week and regular weekend rotations with Saturday and Sunday full-day shifts. 

Position Summary:
The Lead Librarian performs high-level professional and technical library work in one or more specific areas such as Adult, Teen, Children’s, Technology or Regional History/Genealogy. This position is responsible for assisting customers in accessing the full spectrum of library resources in multiple formats; other responsibilities include responding to complex reference, research/homework and readers’ advisory requests; developing, managing and promoting the library’s collection of materials; serving as a manager-on-duty for the branch or department, and interpreting and enforcing library policies and guidelines. The position leads the planning and implementation of programs and services for their designated area; serves systemwide teams and participates in project management for Library initiatives; provides training and professional learning opportunities for library staff, volunteers and community partners. Work is performed with considerable independent judgment and initiative. Serves and maintains the national reputation of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

About This Role
As a key member of the Main Library Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room team, the Lead Librarian provides oversight of daily operations of the Carolina Room, including staff scheduling, facilitating training and instruction on specialized library resources, and explaining and interpreting Carolina Room services, policies and procedures for staff and customers.  The Lead Librarian provides substantial research and reference assistance to members of the community and local officials, including conducting original research on local history, government, and culture.  This position represents the Library in the community, participates in systemwide teams and works collaboratively with staff in Adult Services.  The Lead Librarian serves as the primary Manager-on-Duty in the absence of the Carolina Room Manager; experience with cash handling and opening/closing a facility preferred. 

About Main Library
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.

Essential Functions:
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.

Minimum Qualifications: 
Experience
3 years of progressive experience as a librarian.

Education:  
Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution

Licenses and Certifications:
NC Public Library certification required or must be obtained within a specific timeframe.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes

Preferred Qualifications:
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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Public library services, programs, procedures and operations.
Civic engagement and community partnerships.
Industry trends and solutions.
Budgeting, project management and organizational leadership.
Working with a diverse population.

Skills:
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.

Abilities:
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

Computer Skills:
Excellent command of various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
Advanced proficiency in various computer applications

Work Environment:
Works in an office setting with moderate noise

Selection:
This classification has been identified as having a role in the development of ADA compliant technologies and for which the incumbent agrees to follow County policies to the best of their abilities in order to meet these obligations.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement:
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement:
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.