Access & Discovery Director

Access & Discovery Services $73,455 per year, plus benefits FUNCTION Reporting to the Executive Director, this position: • Provides leadership, direction, and strategy for comprehensive and cohesive access to and discovery of Library services and resources for adults through the Circulation, Reference, and SC Room, bookmobile/homebound services, and eleven branch libraries. • Ensures that Library customers grow in number and usage and increasingly benefit from their relationship and experience with the Library. • Oversees the delivery of a consistently excellent level of customer experience. • Maintains a positive work environment that attracts, retains, and develops high quality personnel who are collaborative, innovative, and inclusive. • Embodies the Library’s code of service by creating an atmosphere where customers and employees feel invited, informed, impressed and inspired. • Performs work in accord with the Library’s vision and mission, using good judgment and ethical behavior in the application of policies and established procedures. • REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS/ABILITIES & CHARACTERISTICS Knowledge: • Comprehensive knowledge of public library services and administrative practices. • Knowledge of current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information in the library industry and field of library and information science. • Thorough knowledge of reference and readers’ advisory sources; of reference practices and techniques, including telephone reference practices and techniques. • Knowledge of digital and information literacy initiatives and relevance in public libraries. • Knowledge of problem solving, leadership and management techniques. • Knowledge of Human Resources policies, procedures, practices and Federal and State labor laws. • Knowledge of library computer systems and applications, online databases, office software, email, and mobile devices. • Knowledge of budgeting processes. Abilities/Skills: • Ability to lead and facilitate the planning of appropriate library services in response to and anticipation of community needs and interests. • Ability to learn and enforce the Library’s policies, procedures and regulations to customers and employees. • Ability to learn and enforce Federal and State laws pertaining to employment and Human Resources policies and procedures. • Ability to clearly articulate expectations, hold others accountable, and listen effectively while being honest, open, and transparent. • Strong leadership and organizational skills and the ability to assign and direct many overlapping projects with stringent deadlines. • Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage changing priorities and multiple tasks. • Ability to lead and operate in a dynamic environment with high expectations for both producing work and managing others. • Ability to maintain confidentiality of customer records and other identifiable customer uses of Library resources and services, security related incidents and personnel issues. • Ability to think critically and use discretion in carrying out duties and responsibilities. • Ability to effectively use independent judgment to resolve staff, patron, and operational problems within established guidelines. • Ability to deal with difficult individuals with tact and diplomacy. • Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships at all levels inside and outside the Library. • Ability to build partnerships and collaboration across agencies and organizations that have objectives related to the Library’s mission. • Demonstrated collaboration and consensus building skills as both a team leader and team member. • Ability to use effective verbal, written, and discreet communication with management, co-workers and the public. • Effective and proven skills in public speaking and group presentations. • Ability to formulate annual budgets, monitor expenditures, and evaluate staffing levels. • Ability to interpret and analyze technical and statistical information and reports. • Ability to learn the Library’s integrated system software. • Ability to demonstrate to customers the use of the Library’s website; including the online catalog and databases. • Preferred: Bilingual – English/Spanish skills. • Preferred: Touch typing skills. Characteristics: • Provides a strategic perspective, being able to see beyond the immediate pressures, and stay focused on important long-term objectives. • Results-driven, forward-thinking, and a creative/innovative problem-solver who provides fresh alternatives regardless of their popularity. • Exhibits self-motivation and exceptional time management capabilities. • Remains calm under pressure and is responsive not reactive. • Excellent communicator who is also a good listener, serving as a sounding board and advisor for the Executive Director. • Ethical, approachable, trustworthy, and apolitical. • Enjoys working in a leadership role, providing direction and guidance to staff. • Adaptable to changing community needs. • Follows established procedures and instructions received from supervisor. • Values technology as a tool, staying on top of technology trends. • Receptive to feedback, willing to learn, and embraces continuous improvement. • Maintains regular and dependable personal attendance and punctuality based on a commitment to the Library. TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Required: • Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited college or university. • Eight years of progressive, responsible, and innovative professional library experience including at least five years at the supervisory level. • Experience working at a branch library and providing circulation services. • Experience providing reference and reader’s advisory service. • Demonstrably progressive work experience showing an increase in the level of duties and responsibilities. • Certified or eligible for certification by the South Carolina State Library. Preferred: • System-wide managerial experience in a public library. • Experience with digital and/or information literacy initiatives. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must have the ability to: • concentrate for long periods of time • speak clearly and distinctly • hear and/or comprehend verbal communication • see and interpret all job-related materials • operate library equipment as assigned • occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and push book carts weighing over 100 pounds • sit for long periods of time • stand for long periods of time • walk, bend and stoop • reach, grasp and use hands to finger, handle, or feel • tolerate dust and mold associated with working with books and other library materials EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED (These tasks are illustrative only; to carry out the day-to-day functions of the job, other duties may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.) Essential job functions designated with (E). • Serves as a member of the Library’s management team to formulate and implement organizational goals, objectives, and policies. (E) • Monitors current trends, and anticipates future customer needs, in order to provide the best possible resources and services to the community. (E). • Assists in planning for improvements in system-wide operations, including budget recommendations, Library services and programs, automation, capital improvements, new facilities, policies, etc. (E) • Supervises Discovery Manager, Access Manager, and Circulation Manager. (E) • Assumes the role of Acting Director in the absence of the Executive Director. (E) • Provides training and/or support for subordinates; reviews performance of subordinates and makes recommendations for improvement/growth as appropriate. (E) • Addresses personnel issues and administers disciplinary actions and/or provides guidance to subordinate supervisors regarding personnel matters. (E) • Looks for ways to enhance internal communication throughout the Library. (E) • Provides direction to managers regarding staff schedules and staffing. (E) • Participates in the interviewing, selection, and/or approval of new employees. (E) • Handles sensitive and confidential matters. (E) • Responds to disorderly patrons and policy violations in an effective manner. (E) • Answers questions on Library operations, policies, and procedures. (E) • Handles complaints and inquiries from the public, conferring with the Executive Director in situations that require special attention. (E) • Works with Community Engagement Manager to establish new and deepen existing relationships with local organizations and agencies to enhance the lives of their clients, members, and/or employees. • Works with Human Resources Manager, Staff Development Coordinator and subordinate managers to select, retain, and develop a highly motivated, skilled, and diverse customer-facing workforce whose customer service skills grow continually. (E) • Works with Human Resources Manager and Staff Development Coordinator to develop leadership and supervisory training for supervisory staff. • Works with Human Resources Manager on complex personnel issues such as, but not limited to, complaints of discrimination or harassment, disciplinary matters and organization development. (E) • Works with Operations Manager on issues regarding Library facilities and with Code of Conduct violations/enforcement. (E) • Assists in developing tools to measure impact of Library services in the community, and prepares annual, monthly, and/or special reports and statistics. • Participates in maintenance and development of content of the Library’s website and intranet. • Receives and compiles statistics, reports, correspondence, etc. (E) • Makes oral and written presentations. (E) • Attends library meetings, training programs, workshops, and conferences as appropriate or as requested by supervisor. (E) • Ensures that safe work methods are followed to prevent injury. (E) • Works a schedule that meets the needs of the Library System. (E) • Performs other related duties as required.