LIBRARY BRANCH MANAGER/MANAGEMENT LIBRARIAN

Recruitment #1509-4782-001

Introduction


What Milwaukee can offer YOU

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.  

Purpose

The Milwaukee Public Library will have several vacancies, for a Library Branch Manager and a Management Librarian.  The list created from this examination will be used to fill both vacancies.

As a Library Branch Manager, serves as Librarian-in-Charge in one of 12 branch libraries.  Responsibilities include managing the overall service plan and operation of the agency including staff development, collection development and maintenance, services and programs, customer and community relations, and overseeing the general maintenance and security of the library building and grounds.   

As a Management Librarian, serves as Coordinator of the Arts and Media Department located at Central Library.  Responsibilities include high quality service, managing the department staff, and the development of the Milwaukee Public Library collection in visual and performing arts, music, rarities, recordings, film, sports, and recreation.   

Essential Functions

Library Branch Manager

  • Directs and works with staff to provide library service to the residents living in the service area, including overseeing reference and readers' advisory service to users and providing books, audiovisual materials, computerized data bases and programs.       
  • Initiates contacts in the community and works with community organizations in library-connected programs; forms partnerships with neighborhood organizations and businesses for the enrichment of the communities that the library serves.         
  • Represents the library in community organizations; speaks at meetings; keeps community leaders aware of library resources and services conducive to civic programs.          
  • Develops and directs librarians, interns, Library Reference Assistants and Library Youth Educators who perform reference, bibliographic, community work, programming, and other services, by holding regular staff meetings, goal setting, planning and developing performance standards, assisting staff in reaching performance standards.        
  • Through the Branch Library Services Assistant, supervises clerical staff which includes scheduling, assigning duties, records keeping, managing workflow and materials handling, and evaluating performance.         
  • Interprets and implements MPL policy with staff through discussion and staff meetings.      
  • Applies library policies to specific library situations and consults with Administration on possible policy improvements.         
  • Supervises expenditures of book funds allotted to the branch library, prepares budget requests and may oversee the execution of grant contracts.        
  • Supervises maintenance of operations records, writes annual, monthly and special reports.        
  • Responds to complaints from patrons and interprets policies and procedures; handles first and second steps of grievance procedure; issues warning notices and commendation notices.  Makes recommendations for disciplinary action, and handles security issues.        
  • Reads reviews of materials, as applied to the neighborhood served.         
  • Works with staff and system selectors to assure appropriate and well-balanced collections.        
  • Promotes use of the library and its collections.        
  • Participates in library sponsored TV and radio presentations as appropriate. 
  • Writes bibliographic articles as required.        
  • Plans and presents programs on a variety of subjects of community interests.        
  • Contributes to social media about library activities.

Management Librarian

  • Supervises the organization and operation of the Arts and Media Unit.  Sets unit priorities and goals and designs objectives and strategies for achieving system goals.        
  • Develops programs that interpret the content and usefulness of the Arts and Media collections.  Gathers information on the best policies and practices in similar areas from other libraries.      
  • Serves as Librarian-in-Charge of Central Library as scheduled including exercising overall supervision of public areas to observe level of service and to assure proper operation of equipment, adjusts staff schedules, assists librarians with difficult assignments.        
  • Develops written performance standards for staff.  Evaluates their performance and counsels them on the maintenance of service of high quality, on self-improvement, and professional reading, writing and speaking.  Participates in staff recruitment, selection, transfer and promotion.      
  • Directs, coordinates and evaluates the performance of librarians in the duties related to the selection, organization and use of materials and resources falling within the subject area.  Oversees the continuous withdrawal of outdated materials from the collection, to maintain a balanced collection in terms of current use, historical value and subject matter.  Serves as consultant for Arts and Media-related library and bibliographic projects.        
  • Develops, directs and offers public programs about the rare books and other department collections and services.  Handles requests for reproduction and use of images.  Serves as registrar for Arts and Media materials loaded for exhibit purposes.  Recommends policy for the use of image collections to ensure access and security.  

Library Branch Manager and Management Librarian         

  • Is thoroughly familiar with the library's vision, mission and strategic plan and serves in an increasingly active capacity on designated library committees to assist the library in achieving its goals.        
  • Serves on system-wide committees, interprets needs of branch library, supervises preservation of library property.         
  • Takes active part in professional association activities and keeps abreast of library literature.  Follows and enforces safe work procedures.  

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Minimum Requirements

1.  Master's Degree in Library Science or Library Information Science from an ALA accredited library school.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive credit for college, transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. College transcripts should be attached to your online application. Applications without transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and will be rejected. 

Your transcript must be legible and include the following information:  the university or college name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date the degree was completed.

2.  Five years of increasingly responsible professional librarian or supervisory experience, including three years working within a library environment. 

Desirable Qualifications

  • Spanish language skills desirable.
  • Previous experience in a lead worker or supervisory role.
  • Knowledge and appreciation of the Arts.

Knowledges, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

  • Thorough knowledge of modern library organization, procedures, policies, mission, goals, services and trends.     
  • Knowledge of and ability to effectively use various methods of social media.        
  • Advanced knowledge of computers, online catalogs, databases, networks, the Internet and their application for library use.       
  • Familiarity with publishing trends and acquisitions operations.       
  • Familiarity with circulation and registration procedures and knowledge of automated application of these procedures.         
  • Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.     
  • Analytical ability and problem solving skills.        
  • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills; ability to work effectively with staff, patrons, community group members, diverse library users of various age groups, cultural backgrounds and educational and literacy levels.        
  • Oral communications skills including the ability to make presentations, participate in discussions on television and radio programs and to conduct formal library programs.  
  • Written communications skills.        
  • Ability to supervise and manage others.       
  • Ability to work both independently and as a team member.        
  • Ability to effectively and positively represent the library before community groups and the public.

Current Salary

The current starting salary (1DX) is $54,865 for residents of the City of Milwaukee, appointment above the minimum is possible up to $68,030 with approval. The annual starting salary is $53,519 for non-Milwaukee residents, with appointment above the minimum is possible up to $66,361 with approval. 

Selection Process

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 reserves 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 November 12, 2015. 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.

NOTE: The City’s residency requirement set forth in City Charter 5-02 is under litigation. Even though the City is legally able to enforce the current residency requirements based on a recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision, the City has agreed to continue to suspend enforcement of the ordinance during the time it may take to know whether the Wisconsin Supreme Court will review the case.  Once the Supreme Court refuses review or affirms the Court of Appeals decision, the City intends to fully enforce the ordinance. Consequently, employees who disregard the requirements of the ordinance do so at their own risk. Applicants for City of Milwaukee positions should understand the City’s commitment to its residency requirement. During this period of uncertainty it is important to take that into account when submitting an application and more importantly when deciding to accept an employment offer.  Please contact (414) 286–3751 if you have questions regarding your individual circumstances as part of the application and/or selection process.

Additional Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

  • APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobaps.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.
  • The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.  

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Tuition Benefits
  • Paid Vacation
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves