Job Description
Duties: Reporting to the Central Library Director, this position functions at the managerial level and provides overall direction for library services, programs, and operations within Division 1 Harold Washington Library Center. Division 1 is comprised of 3 departments (74 staff members, including 3 direct reports), comprised of multiple service points and collection subjects, within public facing departments. Currently Division 1 is comprised of the following departments and service points: BSTG: Business, Science, Technology, and Government Documents, NIA: Newspapers and Periodicals, Interlibrary Loan and the Assistive Resources and Talking Books Center, Youth Department at HWLC: YOUMEDIA (Teens), Thomas Huges Children's Library (children), Collective Care: Liaison with social services in the City of Chicago. This is not a department, but rather a network of outreach, providing social services to Chicago residents on the 3rd floor.
The successful candidates will inspire staff to provide excellent customer service to patrons, work effectively with others, possess superior communication skills, and be able to make connections with colleagues, peers, and other City departments. This person will work within the Central Administration Team, composed of the Central Library Director, Division 2 Chief, Circulation Manager, Staff Assistant, and Administrative Assistant II. This team will continue to collaborate to explore the role of the Central Life, promote programming within HWLC, reimagine space, providing outreach to the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as provide support and alignment with the 80 Regional and Branch libraries. This candidate will also work closely with the Central Library Director to provide support with streamlining operations within HWLC.
This position evaluates professional and paraprofessional staff engaged in developing and administering division programs and services, providing reference assistance to patrons, and developing the division's collection of books and materials. Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of division services and implements modifications to improve operations. Oversees the development of new programs to meet the needs of library patrons. Participates in long range planning and in the development and interpretation of library policies and procedures. Prepares the division's annual operations and personnel budgets and monitors expenditures ensuring fiscal responsibility. Oversees personnel administration activities for division staff. Assesses training needs, coordinates staff development programs and mentors staff through in-service training, seminars, and conferences. Identifies alternative funding sources (e.g., grants) to fund division programs. Analyzes reports on patron usage of programs and services and uses findings to plan programs and allocate resources. Creates and/or works with public information campaigns to increase awareness and utilization of library's collections and programs. Establishes and maintains partnerships with city agencies and local organizations (e.g., civic, and cultural institutions, schools) to promote library, use and programs. May oversee the circulation of materials and establish policies for the lending of special collections. May participate in the development of service contracts for vendors supplying division books and materials.
Certificates/Security Clearances/Other
THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE
Residency Requirement: All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.
LOCATION: 400 S. State St. Central Library Services, Chicago, IL 60605
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ANY AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities
Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited American Library Association college or university with a Master's degree in Library Science or an approved foreign credential evaluation plus five years of professional library experience of which three years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.
Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to a candidate who possesses some knowledge of Government and Municipal Documents.
Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.