LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGER-Rare Books Room

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 historic charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight 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 (MPL) currently has one vacancy for Library Services Manager-Rare Books Room, which is based at Central Library. The eligible list may be used to fill similar vacancies. This role serves in a leadership capacity.

The Library Services Manager-Rare Books Room provides oversight for the Krug Rare Books Room unit and develops unit priorities, objectives, and work plans for the preservation of collections and development of associated services. 

Leadership and Administration:

• Direct the organization and operation of the Krug Rare Books Room.
• Lead the Rare Books room collection development, maintenance, preservation, security and access initiatives and procedures.
• Evaluate materials in the general collection for transfer to rarities and work with the Technical Services Department on updating catalog holdings records.
• Supervise expenditure funds allocated to the department.
• Develop programs that align with MPL’s policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with multiple library units to successfully implement projects.
• Confer with Administrative Team members on current service programs, budgeting, staff development, strengthening resources, long range planning and other matters affecting the quality of departmental services.
• Collaborate and cooperate with administrators and other Central Library managers to strengthen the Central Library in its role as the state and county wide resource library.
• Gather information on the best policies and practices from other libraries; prepare and present narrative and statistical studies, studies of use, reports and plans; handle correspondence.
• Inform Library Administration Team members of activities and progress through verbal and written reports.

Performance Management:

• Develop written performance expectations for staff; evaluate their performance and counsel them on the provision of high-quality service, on professional development, and professional reading, writing and speaking.
• Plan and conduct in-service sessions and staff meetings.
• Model a high level of customer service, train and coach staff to do the same.
• Participate in staff recruitment, selection, discipline, recognition, transfer and promotion.
• Train and supervise staff who work with volunteers; identify new volunteer opportunities and develop job descriptions.

Community Outreach and Advocacy:

• Represent the library in the community.
• Develop and present public programs to increase awareness of our Rarities collection.
• Write articles or serve as a resource on articles written about departmental resources.
• Serve as liaison to Rare Books counterparts in other institutions.
• Track contacts and participants, measure success, document progress, and create and file reports.

Central Librarian in Charge (LIC) Duties:

• Serve as Librarian In Charge of Central Library as scheduled, exercising overall supervision of public services staff and areas, touring public service areas to ensure public service needs are being met, adjusting staff schedules, interpreting library policies and procedures, providing access to meeting spaces, investigating facility, security, or accident reports and filing accurate and timely accounts of these issues, working with security personnel to maintain proper decorum and compliance with the library’s code of conduct and other policies and procedures related to health and safety.
• Report activities to Administrative Team members as necessary.

The Library Services Manager‑Rare Books Room 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 in the care and handling of rarities, special collections or archives.
• Supervisory experience.

Technical

• Knowledge of modern library organization, procedures, policies, mission, goals, services, and trends, particularly as they relate to public library systems.
• Knowledge in the handling of rarities, special collections, or archives.
• Knowledge in the care and handling of rare materials (including evaluation, preservation and light repair), demonstrated through coursework and/or a minimum of three years working with rare book collections.
• 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

• 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 $77,986-$96,768 annually, and the Resident Incentive salary range is $80,326-$99,671 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
• 12 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 https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience, and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test; a structured interview; or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the application deadline listed above. 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 selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. 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.
• 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 at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO Code 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer