Library Branch Manager-KPL

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director, the Library Branch Manager is responsible for day-to-day operations of a Branch Library.  They will provide leadership for Branch staff and manage the overall service plan of the branch, which includes exceptional customer experience, collection development and materials maintenance, library space considerations, services and programs, partnership development, and oversight of the general maintenance and security of the library building and grounds. 

*Please Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. Duties, responsibilities or qualifications may change at any time with or without notice.

Leadership:

• Manages the day-to-day branch operations including Reference, Circulation, Youth and Family Services, and programming in collaboration with the appropriate staff and Department Heads.

• Understands principles of change management, implements change in library service, and communicates a shared vision for exceptional user experiences in alliance with the library’s strategic plan and values.

• Builds and maintains effective work relations with staff, stakeholders, patrons, and administration.

• Initiates contacts in the community and works with community organizations in library-connected programs; forms partnerships with neighborhood organizations and businesses for the enrichment of the neighborhoods served by that branch.

• Represents the library on governmental or community committees as appropriate and upon the request of the Library Director; speaks at meetings; and apprises community leaders of library resources and services.

• Responsible for training, scheduling, managing workflow and materials handling, and evaluating the performance of staff.  Creates a work environment that fosters continuous improvement and values teamwork. 

• Demonstrates a commitment to guiding staff in their professional growth and supporting system-wide succession planning efforts.

• Solves problems at the library level and is a part of library-wide problem solving as part of the KPL Leadership Team.

• Maintains knowledge of current library trends and participates in appropriate conferences, workshops, and seminars to develop professional and leadership skills.

• Schedules staff and monitors the accuracy of time cards. 

Customer Experience:

• Acts as a model of ideal customer service, based on the KPL Customer Service Philosophy, and coaches co-workers to bridge gaps in service.

• Engages in direct public service, develops and maintains a thorough understanding of policies, and ensures their appropriate application to customer service transactions.

• Uses management and technology skills to improve branch efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services.

• Enforces library rules and policies and handles security issues and emergency situations with tact and diplomacy.

• Monitors the use of library services and branch spaces and makes recommendations for changes and new services.

• Actively participates in library-wide teams and supports location team members in their participation in library-wide teams.

• Develops projections of resources and personnel necessary to meet established goals and objectives.

• Owns customer complaints until issue resolution is reached.

• Performs additional duties as assigned including acting as project lead and/or serving on task forces, committees, etc.

Library Space and Maintenance:

• Understands how space can impact a person’s experience positively and actively works to build a library environment that reflects that understanding..

• Re-imagines library branch space to better serve the needs of patrons through observation, surveys, and conversations with patrons.  Brings forward solidified ideas, implementation plans, and budget to Administration and Facilities.

• Ensures that building and grounds of the branch are properly maintained and secure.

• Creates an environment of patron exploration through innovative merchandising and creative use of library space.

Collection Development:

• Serves as a collection selector as part of the Collections Selector Team, making collection choices for all libraries under the guidance of the Head of Collections.

• Works closely with the Head of Collections on collection maintenance projects ensuring collection health that reflects the needs of the library patron-base and neighborhood

• Identifies community and patron needs to help guide collection choices for individual branches and communicates library needs with relevant selectors and the Head of Collections. 

• Assesses trends in circulation for each branch in relation to collection content, merchandising, and marketing.  

• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of selection areas, provides support to other staff on those collections, and identifies ways to improve patron access to those collections through a variety of methods such as displays, book lists, cataloging, and modifying library spaces.

• Evaluates and curates selection areas to ensure collection reflects diversity, relevancy, currency, and community interest.

Reporting Relationship Reports to the Assistant Director

FLSA Status

Exempt

Eligible for Telework

Yes

Essential Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution. 

• Minimum of 4 years successful public library and/or system experience.

• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience. 

• Knowledge of public library operations, programs, and services and current trends and developments in the field of public library services, customer service, technology, information services, outreach services, adult services, and youth services.

• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

Physical and Working Conditions

• Far vision at 20 feet or further; near vision at 20 inches or less.

• Talking and hearing.

• Sitting, standing, walking, climbing (including stairs) and stooping, bending, twisting and reaching (up, across, and down). Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time.

• Keyboarding, writing, filing, sorting, shelving, processing, and picking up and shelving books.

• Lifting and carrying: 50 pounds or less.

• Pushing and pulling: objects weighing up to 60-80lbs pounds on wheels.

• Able to travel to meetings outside the library, including overnight travel.

• Able to work in enclosed space and remote locations for extended periods of time.

• Able to work at all library branches and other service locations, as needed, with limited to no notice.

• Able to work in environmental conditions which may include exposure to dust, dirt, heat, cold, noise, fumes, odors, vibrations, wetness and humidity, and temperature changes.

• Able to use the following: audiovisual equipment, building security systems, calculator, computer workstation, copy machine, scan station, telephone, and other readily available technology.