LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGER-Branches

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 two vacancies for Library Services Manager-Branches, which are based at Bay View Branch and Center Street Branch. The eligible list may be used to fill similar vacancies. These roles serve in a leadership capacity.

The Library Services Manager‑Branches serves as Librarian-in-Charge over of one of Milwaukee Public Library’s twelve branch libraries, including management of the overall service plan, staff development, customer service strategies, collection development and maintenance, services and programs, customer and community relations, and coordination of the general maintenance and security of the property.

Operational Oversight and Performance Management:

• Direct the work of and collaborate with branch staff to provide library services to visiting patrons. Oversee reference and readers’ advisory service to users and providing books, audiovisual materials, computerized databases, and programs which help people satisfy their needs for information, recreation, and education.
• Develop and direct librarians, library reference assistants and librarian associates who perform reference, bibliographic, community work, programming, collection weeding, setting goals, planning and developing performance standards, counsels on the provision of high-quality service, on professional development, and library best practices.
• Seek opportunities to develop and enrich library services and set priorities to maintain an effective service programs consistent with library and City goals.
• Interview, onboard, train, evaluate, organize, schedule, and oversee work assignments of reference and circulation staff. Understand and provide for staff training in effective access to library databases.
• Manage performance; issue commendation notices; make effective recommendations for disciplinary action; track and analyze data.

Development of Resources, Community Services and Education:

• Manage collection in accordance with MPL selection criteria as applied to the neighborhood served.
• Work with staff and system selectors to maintain branch collection profiles to assure appropriate and well-balanced collections that are useful and desirable to those living in the neighborhood.
• Direct work on replacements, rebinds, choices of duplicate and alternate titles, and inventories.
• Promote the use of MPL services and its collections through displays, book talks, booklists, reviews, blogs and bibliographies. Participate in library sponsored TV and radio presentations.  Write bibliographic articles. Contribute or approve articles about library services to community newspapers. Plan and present programs on a variety of subjects of community interest.
• Initiate contacts in the community and work with community organizations in library-connected programs. Form partnerships with neighborhood organizations and businesses for the enrichment of the communities that the library serves. Represent the library in community organizations including speaking at meetings, keeping community leaders aware of library resources and services conducive to civic programs.
• Oversee community group use of meeting room.

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‑Branches must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work beyond standard business hours on occasion.
• Work rotating shifts.
• 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 working with diverse library patrons.
• Supervisory experience.

Technical

• Knowledge of modern library organization, procedures, policies, mission, goals, services, and trends, particularly as they relate to public library systems.
• 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

• Skill in tactfully and respectfully addressing sensitive situations with patrons who may be experiencing difficult personal issues.
• Community outreach skills to be able to build relationships with community partners.
• 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