LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGER-Acquisitions and Serials

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old-world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) offers a dynamic, innovative work environment where each employee contributes to making the Library the best Third Place possible – Inspiration starts here, we help people read, learn and connect!

The Milwaukee Public Library currently has one vacancy for Library Services Manager-Acquisitions and Serials, which is based at Central Library. The eligible list may be used to fill similar vacancies. This role serves in a leadership capacity.

The Library Services Manager‑Acquisitions Services directs the technical procedures concerned with collection development and the firm-order and continuous purchase of books, serials, physical media, and other library materials. The Library Services Manager‑Acquisitions Services (ACQ/SER) is responsible for leadership and guidance with systemwide collection development and management activities and projects: selection, maintenance, and analysis of collections in all MPL locations under the direction of the Associate Director-IT, Technical Services, Collections.

Supervision and Management of Selection and Collection Staff:

• Manage, supervise, train, evaluate, organize, schedule, and oversee unit staff and workflow, including approval of assignment duties, work schedules, modeling a high level of customer service, performance management, collection counsel, and participation in staff recruitment and hiring.
• Coach staff, conduct performance appraisals and evaluations, and make recommendations on matters relative to performance improvement, transfers, disciplinary actions, or discharges. 
• Provide leadership in workflow analysis and implementation to optimize use of automated systems for collection development and processing.
• Work closely with the Library Services Manager‑Cataloging and Database Maintenance (CCDM) to ensure coordination and collaboration on workflow and projects, training and flexing of ACQ/SER, and CCDM staff for optimum results.
• Assign, coordinate, and recommend selection area assignments for primary selection and collection management responsibilities, and supervise, direct, and coordinate the selection of library materials, including coaching staff to resolve issues regarding collection budget adherence, use of materials funds, and collection decisions.
• Assess and review collection development and management decisions to ensure alignment with MPL policies, procedures, and practices, and oversee performance and training of staff systemwide related to ordering processes, collections procedures/policies, and providing staff and managers feedback on selection and collection management directly or through system-selector coaching.
• Collaborate with staff and Library Managers in the management, oversight, and coordination of regular collection evaluation and selection practices, including coordinating annual serials review for Branches and Central, and processing, administering, and managing the Central Library Federal Depository Library Program.

Library System Collection Management:

• Provide leadership, guidance, and direction on systemwide collection development and management activities and projects, including selection, maintenance, reports, and analysis of collections in all MPL locations under the direction of the Associate Director-IT, Technical Services, Collections and with consideration of the Library’s mission, vision, policies, and Representation, Equity, and Inclusion (REI) initiatives.
• Develop, initiate, and implement collection management projects that are data-driven and supported as best library practices under the guidance of the Associate Director-IT, Technical Services, Collections and in collaboration with MPL staff and managers related to collections at all MPL locations.
• Maintain working relationships with library materials vendors, including occasional execution or delegation of in-person acquisition of materials from local vendors, including developing bid specifications for collection contracts. 
• Coordinate communication and workflow of unsolicited author/subject requests and selector staff.
• Represent MPL in collection development groups at system, state, and national levels in collaboration with the Associate Director of IT, Technical Services, and Collections.
• Prepare, advocate for, and manage the library’s annual collection budget and allocations.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and the MPL Business Office to ensure regular budget management and fund expenditures.
• Supervise budgeting and expenditure of all funds for library materials including city, endowment, gifts, grants, and MPL Foundation funds, monitoring and managing these funds and expenditures to assure adherence to established appropriations, and advise appropriate management of significant over or under expenditures or inappropriate use of funds. 

Library Administration:

• Participate in staff recruitment and selection, including transfers and promotions.
• Serve as auxiliary Librarian-in-Charge of the Central Library as scheduled.
• Follow and enforce safe work procedures and accident prevention practices.
• Actively seek to assist the library in promoting its diversity and inclusion commitment.
• Participate in systemwide teams and committees and assist in implementation of long-range strategies.
• Gather information on best practices from other libraries; prepare and present narrative and statistical studies, studies of use, reports and plans; and handle correspondence.
• Keep apprised of library literature and contribute to the growth and development of the library by participating in conferences, professional associations, and community affairs; correlate these activities to serve the goals of the library.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Please be advised that new employees are required to have received either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their employment start date or have an approved religious or medical accommodation prior to their employment start date. You can find further information relative to the City’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy here.

The Library Services Manager‑Acquisitions Services must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work beyond standard business hours on occasion.
• Stand, walk, climb stepstools, crouch, and reach.
• Lift and move items weighing up to 10 pounds occasionally and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 

1. Master's degree in library science or library information science from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited library school.
2. Five years of progressively responsible professional librarian experience, including performing complex bibliographic, reference, and readers' advisory work.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Experience in a library collection development and management function.
• Supervisory experience.

Technical

• Knowledge of modern library organization, procedures, policies, mission, goals, services, and trends, particularly as they relate to public library systems.
• Knowledge and ability to demonstrate core competencies for Acquisitions Professionals as outlined by the American Library Association’s Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS).
• Knowledge of technical reference procedures and interlibrary cooperation.
• Ability to learn the workings of the MPL system, including its policies, functions, relationships, and resources.
• Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of job-related documents; broad knowledge of subject disciplines and wide-ranging reading interests.
• Knowledge of computers, online catalogs, databases, networks, and their applications for library use; proficiency using word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Ability to learn City policies and procedures related to budgeting, purchasing, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of safe work procedures and accident prevention practices.

Leadership and Supervisory

• Knowledge of leadership principles and best practices for selecting, supervising, and motivating employees.
• Supervisory skills to be able to effectively supervise and train staff to build successful teams.
• 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 represent the library consistent with MPL's vision, mission, and strategic plan.

Communication and Interpersonal

• 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.
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively with multilevel, multicultural managers and staff systemwide, elected officials, board members, other City employees, vendors, other agencies, and the public.
• Verbal communication skills to be able to share information in a clear and concise manner.
• Presentation skills in order to address various audiences, both formal and informal.
• Written communications skills to be able to write clear reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and articles.

Critical Thinking

• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, as well as sound judgment.
• Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet frequent deadlines.
• Skill in performing detailed, independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Situational awareness and observational skills to be able to mitigate potential safety incidents.
• Honesty, integrity, and responsible stewardship of City resources.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1GX) is $76,457-$94,870 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $78,751-$97,716 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• 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
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations and the Milwaukee Health Department reserve the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE: The examination will be held as soon as practical after the above listed deadline. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL    
• Applications and transcripts should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.         
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.  

EEO Code 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer