Job Description
Managing Librarian, Bronx Library Center
Department: Branch Libraries
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Bronx Library Center
Reporting To: Melissa Davis
Compensation: $90,000 - $105,000 / year
The Bronx Library Center is the largest public library in the Bronx. This 6-floor, 78,000 square feet, majestic LEED-certified building is a dynamic, vibrant, and well-utilized center of access and learning in the Bronx. It is home to The New York Public Library’s premier Latino and Puerto Rican Heritage Collection, which features books in English and Spanish on the Latino experience. The Bronx Library Center serves a diverse population of patrons.
The Managing Librarian provides direct leadership and oversight to departmental staff, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of essential public services. This role involves active participation in daily operations, including staff supervision, problem-solving, and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures to best serve the community.
This onsite role requires a consistent presence within the department to foster strong relationships with staff and the community. The Managing Librarian will be actively engaged in directly addressing Patron issues and concerns and ensuring a visible and accessible point of contact for public service matters.
The Center houses dedicated departments (collections, services) for the following: Adult, Reference, Children, and a Teen Center. Additionally, the Bronx Library Center offers:
- Career Services to provide essential professional development support and resources for job seekers, who want insight on crafting an effective professional portfolio - resume, cover letter, interview materials, or job search strategies - to enhance their career.
- College and Career Pathways hub to establish regular college and career preparation programs, workshops, and one-on-one sessions
- The largest Adult Learning Center in the New York Public Library where adults learn to write and non-English speakers learn English
- TechConnect computer lab where a myriad of free computer classes are held each month
- A 150-seat auditorium for cultural/literary presentations
- Multiple conference rooms
We are looking for someone we can count on to:
Own
- Leadership in managing the Center’s operations, ensuring excellent customer service, managing branch environments, and delivering on key initiatives
Teach
- And inspire staff with new creative ideas for growing the use of and support for library services among the public and partners
Learn:
- The emerging trends in the Bronx-Fordham community and Library to optimize processes to help serve the public better
Improve
- The Center’s vision and presence in the Bronx-Fordham community and the organization
Some expectations for this role are that within:
1 month, this person will:
- Learn NYPL’s strategic priorities, Library Sites & Services goals, the Bronx Library Center community and facility, diverse library team, the Center’s services and programs and workflows
3 months, this person will:
- Formulate and carry out improvements in public services and behind-the-scenes procedures and workflow for all departments
- Collaborate with department managers and key stakeholders to improve the quality and variety of services and programming to ensure effective delivery of public service and access to library materials
6 months and beyond, this person will:
- Develop and implement strategies in the planning and implementation of NYPL priorities at BLC to enhance the onsite user experience.
- Work well independently and collaboratively across the Library to get things accomplished
Responsibilities:
Under the general guidance of the Associate Director for the Central Bronx Network, the Managing Librarian at the Bronx Library Center will:
- Manage the day-to-day supervision of the Bronx Library Center (BLC), including daily oversight of all public service units
- Provide hands-on management, supervision and mentorship of department supervisors including oversight of circulation practices and the circulation team
- Foster a collaborative, team building work environment
- Contribute and manage to the ongoing development, evaluation, training, and discipline of staff in accordance with Library policies
- Build and maintain partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, elected officials, and community leaders further to strengthen the Center’s relationships with the diverse community
- Coordinate mid to large-scale events at the Bronx Library Center, including events by Library departments, elected officials, and outside agencies
- Participate in committees and project teams whose work is relevant to the Library’s strategic initiatives as needed
- Stay current in public library matters through professional meetings; maintain active membership in state and national library associations; participate in activities of professional organizations; keep informed on current trends and developments affecting libraries
- Take responsibility for the Central Bronx Network in the absence of the Associate Director
- Perform related duties as required
Required Education, Experience & Skills
Required Education & Certifications
- ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies
- Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate issued by the State of New York
Required Experience
- 4+ years of progressive supervisory/management experience in large libraries in a public library system
- Substantial public library experience working in a variety of roles, displaying administrative, supervisory, and leadership skills appropriate to the position
- Experience implementing or enforcing library policies and procedures
- Experience coaching, mentoring, developing, and managing the performance of staff
Required Skills
- Successfully demonstrated commitment to providing consistent, high-quality public services
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for the Library
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, identify and assess problems, and decisively implement appropriate solutions or recommendations
- Creativity, flexibility, and initiative in accommodating community and staff needs
- Knowledge and understanding of emerging library technologies services and programming trends for people of all ages in urban public libraries
- Strong computer and other related technology skills, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google applications, PCs, Macs, and e-reader devices
Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Overall oversight of 5 public service departments
- Direct supervision of 4 Supervising Librarians and 1 Office Associate III
- Oversees and monitors the location’s personnel and branch finance budget
- Supports the selection, hiring, and performance evaluations of librarians, librarian trainee, library information assistants, office aides, and library pages
- Project Management knowledge and experience, assisting with mid to large events or projects
- Quarterly reporting on the Center’s performance
- Liaison between internal support departments
More...
Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
- Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
- Be Resourceful in solving problems
- Be Curious in all aspects of your work
- Be Welcoming and Inclusive
Work Environment
- Onsite Public Service Library setting
- May require travel within NYC
Physical Duties
- Lifting up to 15 lbs. required
- Sitting and standing for periods of time
- Daily use of a computer
Pre-Placement Physical Required?
No
Union/Non Union
Non Union
FLSA Status
Exempt
Schedule
- 35 hours per week to be scheduled during regular branch hours
- Evenings and weekends as required
