Job Title:--Library Director
The primary purpose of this position is to provide oversight and direction for the Buncombe County Library program to accommodate the need for Library services in the community.
Essential Functions of the position:
- Plan, organize, and direct a comprehensive services plan for the County’s public libraries.
- Determine the need for library services throughout the County and make recommendations to the Assistant County Manager for the establishment of staff, equipment, programs, and facilities to meet these needs.
- Oversee the determination of the financial and resource needs of the library through the development of the budget, and supervise the expenditures of these funds
- Personnel Management: Hire, develop, evaluate performance, provide feedback and disciplinary action as needed; develop and maintain a positive team work environment; provide effective, clear and timely communication.
- Liaison to Friends of the Library, community organizations, and other interested groups in supporting and promoting library programs and utilization.
- Working with the community to assure library programs and space supports the interests of Buncombe County residents specific to library management
- Liaison with the Buncombe County Library Board and serve as the secretary to the Library Board.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience:
Master’s degree in library science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program.
Duties, Responsibilities, and Other Functions:
Direct Personnel Management:
- Provide direct supervision of all Branch Managers, Pack Library manager, and manager of Technical Services.
- Assess staffing needs, screen applicants, conduct interviews and select the best-qualified candidate to fill vacancies within the unit.
- Provide and/or coordinate appropriate training and development for new and existing employees, supply information, technology and reference materials necessary to perform specific jobs functions.
- Assign staff duties, relative to classification and specific to job description, communicate the expectations for successful performance of those duties and ensure staff understands how performance will be measured.
- Ensure an efficient and effective workflow, implement changes in routine work practices and procedures as needed to modify unit functioning according to client needs and employee capabilities.
- Evaluate employee performance, provide ongoing feedback, and address performance issues in a timely manner.
- Ensure a fully staffed, competent workforce and a safe and supportive work environment for all employees.
- Assist employees with addressing and resolving concerns related to job duties, performance standards, and relationships with others.
Program Management:
- Plan, organize and direct all phases of the County library program, including the main library, branch libraries and outreach services.
- Prepare an annual budget for submission to the Assistant County Manager; prepare and present periodic reports on library activities, needs, and achievements; make recommendations on administrative, personnel and policy matters.
- Meet with library Friends and Trustees Board members, community organizations, and other interested groups in explaining and promoting library programs.
- Prepare various recurring and non-recurring reports of program progress and status for local, state and federal agencies and boards.
- Organize and coordinate the activities of the library staff; conduct staff conferences and meetings and provide guidance to professional and supervisory personnel in the development of new programs and activities.
- Oversee collection development for the library system.
- Establish and supervise policies and procedures for all library operations.
- Maintain memberships in professional organizations and attend seminars and conferences to continue professional development for self, staff and the library system.
- Make public presentations informing and promoting library services.
- Respond to and resolve complex citizen inquiries and complaints.
- Represent the Library in the community and at professional meetings as required.
- Coordinate development activities and program opportunities and support strategies and efforts to augment the Library’s collections and programs.
- Ensure the Library meets NC Cardinal Consortium Standards regarding data entry, training, and common operational rules.
- Promote and sustain a work environment that reflects Buncombe County’s organizational values and standards of customer service and teamwork.
- Serves as a member of the County’s Management Team.
- Represent the Library’s interests as a voting member of the NC Cardinal Consortium.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles and practices of modern library management.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of library science.
- Thorough knowledge of library techniques, systems, working tools and procedures.
- Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.
- Considerable knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of library science and administration.
- Ability to plan, organize and administer a public library system.
- Ability to plan and direct the work of a staff of librarians engaged in carrying out generalized and specialized library functions.
- Ability to supervise and use specialized library methods and principles in bibliography, cataloging, classification and reference services.
- Ability to present ideas effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, departmental personnel and library patrons.
Additional Training and Experience:
Considerable experience of a progressively responsible nature in professional library work, including experience at the administrative level.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
Possession of a Professional Librarian Certificate issued by the North Carolina Public Librarian Certification Commission is required.
Department:--County Manager
