State Library Unit Head

The mission of the Connecticut State Library is to preserve and make accessible Connecticut’s history and heritage and to advance the development of library services statewide. It serves as the Principal Law Library for the State of Connecticut and provides reference and research services to all state agencies, the Judicial Branch and the Legislative Branch as well as the general public.  In the role of State Library Unit Head, you will oversee Collection Services which is responsible for  the acquisition of all library information resources including - books, serials, newspapers, electronic databases, federal and state documents and the administration of the Library Materials budget; collection development; documents processing; monograph and serial processing; preservation; digitization and electronic resource acquisition. You will supervise a staff of professional librarians and para-professionals and directly report to the State Librarian. The Unit Head is responsible for insuring that library resources are acquired in a timely manner; managing the Library Materials budget and the effective operation of Collection Services. Located at 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, this is a Monday-Friday, 40 hour/week position.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current employee of the Connecticut State Library, who has permanent state status, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.

Candidates selected for interview must provide the following at the time of interview:     

    - Cover Letter   

    - Resume  

Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.

In the State Library this class is accountable for supervising a unit of staff engaged in providing professional library services.

Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of staff; assists staff in conducting work of unit; provides staff training and assistance; conducts performance evaluations; determines priorities and plans unit work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; develops or makes recommendations for development of policies and standards; assists in unit or program budget preparation; monitors unit or program expenditures; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; prepares reports and correspondence; performs related duties as required.
PROGRAM UNITS/SERVICE GROUPS: Supervises a major unit or service group such as Access Services, Collection Services, Discovery and Delivery Services or the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
DIVISION OF LIBRARY SERVICES: Administers a Library Service Center providing consultant and supplemental services to public and other libraries or administers a statewide program providing information to the public on plans and programs and prepares and edits State Library publications.

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of modern principles and practices of library and information science with particular reference to area of specialization; considerable knowledge of library administration, principles and techniques of modern library science and library technology; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; planning ability; ability to utilize computer software and library applications; supervisory ability.

A Master's degree in library science or information science from a library school accredited by the American Library Association and four (4) years of post graduate degree experience in professional library work.

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been providing complex professional library services.
Note: For State employees, this is interpreted to be at the level of Librarian 2 (State Library).
Note: The State Librarian may determine other advanced educational degrees equivalent to the MLS degree based on special staffing needs.

For State employees, two (2) years as a Library Specialist may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

The preferred candidate will have:

Working knowledge of managing and projecting a library budget and materials encumbrances using ExLibris’ Alma; experience managing a library collection that includes extensive legal and governmental depository materials, and electronic resources; experience using CoreCT to search for vendor and payment status of invoices; working knowledge of information needed from subscription and book vendors to effectively prepare purchase requisition with the correct vendor ID information; experience with configuring system settings and producing statistical/analytic reports from ExLibris’ Alma, particularly as it relates to technical services functions and working knowledge of remote library user authentication methods, including EZProxy OCLC(library authentication software). Must be able and willing to visit other facility locations when needed. 

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.