General Statement of Duties

The Assistant Director of Public Services manages the library’s direct public services operations, including branch operations, patron services (including circulation, reference, and readers advisory), collection development, materials management, and information technology.

The Assistant Director for Public Services works closely with branch managers and public services staff to ensure that DHCLS provides consistent, high-quality library experiences for all patrons.

Supervision Received/Given: The Assistant Director of Public Services reports to the Director.

The Assistant Director of Public Services has direct supervisory oversight for all issues relating to branch operations, patron services, collections, and information technology. In the absence of the Director, the Assistant Director of Public Services assumes full responsibility for all library operations.

Job Duties

● Provides direction, oversight, and evaluation for staff and operations at the Main Library, Westgate Branch, Ashford Branch, and Bookmobile. Specific direct reports include the Main Library Manager, Westgate Branch Manager, Ashford Branch Coordinator, and Bookmobile Coordinator.
● Communicates expectations, sets standards, and coaches personnel on customer service, management, and communication skills.
● Coordinates Public Services training and staff development and creates in-house documentation and training as needed.
● Facilitates performance management initiatives and assists assigned supervisors and staff with goal-setting and continuous improvement.
● Manages special projects and initiatives as assigned and in accordance with strategic priorities.
● Participates in budget development, strategic planning, and grant-seeking.
● Receives, investigates, evaluates, and responds to complaints, concerns, and suggestions from patrons, employees, vendors, and organizations.
● Develops and updates policies and procedures as appropriate.
● Manages the library’s physical and virtual collections, including acquisitions, cataloging, and deselection, as well as access management for online resources.
● Attends meetings as assigned, including board meetings and internal meetings.
● Maintains effective working relationships with vendors and partner organizations.
● Compiles statistics and completes reports (internal and external) as assigned.
● Performs other reasonable duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

● Ability to lead, plan, organize, direct, coordinate, coach, and supervise the work of others in a team environment.
● Knowledge of existing and emerging best practices in librarianship, public library administration, personnel management, and emerging technology.
● Ability to manage time effectively and set priorities in order to meet deadlines.
● Ability to identify and develop reasonable and realistic solutions to problems.
● Ability to make independent decisions based on experience and sound judgment.
● Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
● Ability to motivate and encourage staff.
● Ability to resolve conflict, both external and internal.
● Knowledge of current best practices in management and human resources.

Personal Attributes

● Demonstrated qualities of effective management and leadership potential.
● Passionate about public libraries.
● Community-minded with a strong customer service orientation.
● Demonstrates trustworthiness, empathy, and active listening skills.
● Respects and maintains confidentiality.
● Organized and detail-oriented.
● Projects a calm, personable, and positive demeanor.
● Demonstrates sound judgment and high ethical standards.
● Works effectively in a diverse team environment.
● Professional demeanor with a neat personal appearance.

Experience and Training

● Four years of progressively responsible library experience, preferably in a public library setting, including at least as either a manager or administrator of a public services unit or major library division.
● Experience interpreting and applying policy in a complex organizational context.
● Experience in the operation and oversight of an integrated library system (ILS).
● Experience with project management.
● Experience with personnel management, including resolving personnel-related issues.
● Must possess a current valid driver’s license.
● A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or, in lieu of a degree, four years of professional experience in a library setting.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, grasp, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, talk and hear. Hand-eye coordination necessary to operate computers and various office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Will require driving to various locations. This job description is not, nor is it intended to be, a complete statement of all duties, functions and responsibilities which comprise this position.