Library Public Services Area Manager
Job Location:
Milwaukee, WI - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted on:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Introduction
The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) offers a dynamic innovativework environment where each employee contributes to making the Library the bestThird Place possible. Inspiration starts here - we help people read learn andconnect!
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the MPLs renownedarchival and special collections while helping preserve the past and engagingtodays community. As a member of the Librarys Administration Team youllplay a vital role in shaping organizational strategy cultivating partnershipsand ensuring our unique collections remain accessible secure and impactful tomembers of the public.
Purpose
The Library Public Services Area Manager (PSAM) oversees theSpecial Collections and Humanities division including the Krug Rare Books Roomand archival collections. The PSAM manages unit goals priorities and workplans aligned with the Librarys mission and strategic direction.
Essential Functions
Leadership and Administration:
- Provide strategic leadership direction and oversee daily operations for Special Collections and Humanities divisions including the Krug Rare Books Room.
- Develop and direct staff related to excellent customer service and programs materials handling performance management collection development and maintenance resource delivery and the preservation of selected materials.
- Oversee the scheduling of Special Collections & Archives public services staff including making emergency staff assignments.
- Lead and support managers in prioritizing program initiatives and collection-related projects.
- Establish departmental goals priorities and strategic objectives; develop initiatives and implementation plans.
- Contribute to the system-wide planning decision-making and library-wide initiatives as part of the Library Administration team.
- Develop implement and interpret policies procedures and programs related to collections services and operations to ensure consistency compliance and alignment with professional best practices for special collections and rare books.
- Manage departmental budgets expenditures and resource allocation to ensure responsible stewardship of funds and alignment with operational and strategic priorities.
- Identify and pursue relevant grants and other funding opportunities.
- Lead the development stewardship and sustainability of rare books manuscripts archival materials and unique artifacts maintaining a balanced collection that reflects current use long-term research value and public access.
- Cultivate and sustain relationships with current and prospective donors and institutional partners collaborating on the evaluation appraisal and acquisition of materials to enhance the distinctiveness and visibility of the Librarys collections.
- Conduct environmental assessments and benchmarking gathering best practices from peer institutions and preparing analyses reports and usage studies to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
- Ensure compliance with legal regulatory ethical and professional standards governing rare and archival materials.
- Communicate departmental activities outcomes and progress effectively to internal and external stakeholders ensuring Library leadership and staff are informed and engaged.
- Stay current with professional literature and participate in related professional organizations.
- Assist in planning of central library renovations and building projects.
Collection Management & Development:
- Direct the planning and execution of exhibitions public programs outreach efforts and other initiatives that are responsive to community needs and promote meaningful engagement with collections.
- Work collaboratively with others to improve MPLs virtual service point and finding aids to facilitate statewide use of MPLs unique collections.
- Monitor evaluate and report local and regional use of collections and resources.
- Serve as a resource and support managers who are assigned to the partnering societies and organizations that support MPLs special collections and archives.
- Serve on one or more boards as MPLs representative.
- Oversee preservation conservation valuation digitization risk management and responsible disposition of materials to ensure long-term access security and integrity.
- Direct and coordinate staff in the selection organization and use of special collections materials.
- Lead Special Collections-related digitization and digital access initiatives including prioritization rights management and digital preservation.
- Collaborate closely with Technical Services Cataloging and other Library units to support accessioning metadata strategy discovery and cross-functional projects.
- Keep abreast of developments in special collections and archives standards and trends applying new rules interpretations and techniques as appropriate.
Security:
- Oversee and manage the security of rarities and archival collections at the Milwaukee Public Library.
- Monitor the daily access and usage of the Krug Rare Books Room at the Central Library including overseeing staff use of items and assigned work in collections to ensure the highest level of security and protection of documents.
- Model a high level of understanding of security best practices for special collections and rarities and coach staff on standard protocols.
Performance Management:
- Establish clear goals expectations and performance measures.
- Develop written performance expectations for staff; evaluate their performance and counsel them on the provision of high-quality service and professional development.
- Model a high level of customer service train and coach staff to do the same.
- Participate in staff recruitment selection discipline recognition transfer and promotion.
- Support direct reports who work with volunteers and identify new volunteer opportunities.
- Assist in reviewing and developing job descriptions.
- Oversee progressive discipline processes and personnel management ensuring accountability and consistent application of policies and procedures.
- Lead mentor and evaluate a diverse team of managers librarians and support staff.
- Support professional development of staff that contributes to their professional growth and effectiveness as well as individual career goals.
- Provide ongoing training and coaching for staff on best practices and protocols related to special collections including materials handling security conservation and other core operational standards.
- Plan and conduct in-service sessions and staff meetings.
- Assist in developing training for staff on new technologies.
We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who areinterested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiringprocess in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of2008.
Conditions of Employment
The Library Public Services Area Manager must be willing andable to do the following:
- Work flexible work hours including some evening and weekend hours over 40 hours per week.
- Lift and move items weighing up to 10 pounds occasionally and/ora negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
- File a Statement of Economic Interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.
Minimum Requirements
1. Masters degree in library science or library informationscience (MLIS) from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited libraryschool.
2. Five years of increasingly responsible post-MLISprofessional librarian experience of which three years must have been servingas one of the following:
- Administrator of a major library division large branch or independent community library.
- Coordinator of special collections or archives in a library museum or other similar setting.
3. Valid Drivers license with personal automobile andappropriate insurance required at the time of appointment and throughoutemployment.*Private automobile allowance may be paid pursuant to Section350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.
NOTICE:Please do not attach your academic transcriptsto your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidateseducation as part of the background screening process prior to extending anyjob offers.
Desirable Qualifications
- Coursework certification or related experience in special collections archives or rare books.
Knowledge Skills Abilities & Other Characteristics
Technical:
- Knowledge of goals organization policies procedures services issues and trends related to urban library systems.
- Knowledge of public library systems interlibrary cooperation and network development.
- Knowledge of library technology trends related to operations new developments user services and best practices.
- Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of complex job-related documents.
- Intellectual curiosity and a commitment to stay apprised of developments in library management.
- Knowledge of best practices in special collections and archives including collections development and management; digital preservation; archival description; cataloging; special collections security; as well as copyright and intellectual property issues.
- Knowledge and experience with programs to integrate special collections and archives in research and community engagement including outreach and programming.
Leadership:
- Ability to effectively manage direct and indirect reports including assigning duties directing work in progress evaluating job performance and making hiring recommendations.
- Ability to plan and coordinate the work of staff in a large complex decentralized library system.
- Knowledge of team building training and coaching techniques and principles to empower staff to realize their potential.
- Knowledge of customer service best practices and the ability to instill them within the team.
- Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully are valued for their strengths and feel that they can safely express themselves.
- Ability to develop goals and strategies that meet measurable objectives.
- Skill in developing and implementing performance measurement tools to track program outcomes.
Communication and Interpersonal:
- Skill in tactfully and respectfully addressing sensitive situations with patrons who may be experiencing complex personal issues.
- Community outreach skills to represent the library system well and maintain successful relationships with community partners.
- Ability to work effectively with multi-level staff community groups and patrons from all socioeconomic educational literacy and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to resolve escalated complaints tactfully and satisfactorily.
- Written communication and research skills to craft concise reports policies and correspondence.
- Verbal communication and public speaking skills to confidently make presentations lead committees and participate in TV and radio programs.
- Knowledge of customer service best practices and the ability to incorporate them into operations.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse library users of various age levels to interpret their reading and informational needs.
Judgment and Analysis:
- Critical thinking skills to creatively solve challenging multifaceted problems make sound decisions and marshal library system resources for the benefit of the population served.
- Organizational skills and flexibility to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Professionalism honesty integrity ability to maintain confidentiality and responsible stewardship of City resources.
Current Salary
The current salary range(Pay Range1JX) is$104997-$123106annuallyand the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residentsis$109197-$128031annually.Appointment above the minimum maybe possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and issubject to review and approval by the Department of Employee Relations.
BENEFITS
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefitprogram which includes:
- Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Comprehensive Wellness Program
- Onsite Clinic Services
- Onsite Employee Assistance Program
- Alternative Work Schedules
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Group Life Insurance
- Tuition Benefits
- Paid Vacation
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
- Flexible Spending Arrangement
- Commuter Value Pass
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
The Milwaukee Public Library: inspiration starts here - we help people read, learn, and connect.
