Angelou/Evergreen Library Branch Manager

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

If you are looking for an opportunity to be a vital member of an innovative and customer focused organization where you can use your expertise to help take our Library services to the next level and make a difference in the lives of people every day; you may be just the person we are looking for! The Wichita Public Library has an immediate opening for an energetic, service-minded branch manager responsible for the Evergreen Branch and Maya Angelou Northeast Branch in South Central Wichita Kansas. Bi-lingual in English and Spanish Preferred.

The neighborhood surrounding the Angelou branch is characterized by smaller, single-family homes, a large Boy’s and Girl’s Club of America facility, Wichita State University’s campus, and countless small businesses and churches. The majority of library users come from adjacent neighborhoods. Market segmentation information includes African Americans in their 20’s to early 30’s who rank at the national average in income from salaries but also have public assistance income rates of 2.5 times the national average for the community. A majority of residents are single parents with low incomes frequently working in blue-collar positions. Many residents are high school graduates, but the number without high school diplomas is twice the community average.

The neighborhood surrounding the Evergreen branch is characterized by lower income areas, areas with seniors, and neighborhoods that are comprised of the largest concentration of Hispanic residents in and around Wichita. The Evergreen Community Center and Library facility is a multi-cultural, multi-generational resource center in Wichita’s historic North End neighborhood where community residents can access information, city services, educational opportunities, small business development assistance, family support, and connection to a variety of other resources in a bilingual, welcoming and safe environment. The facility includes the Evergreen Branch Library, Neighborhood Resource Center, Empower Evergreen non-profit center and other partner organizations.

The Wichita Public Library has a strong commitment to providing extraordinary customer service in person, online, and in the community. The Wichita Public Library serves 400,991 citizens through a network of 7 unique locations. WPL is committed to the following strategic drivers;

• Advancing literacies for life to empower residents
• Elevating awareness of library resources to empower residents
• Building partnerships to expand impact

The Wichita Public Library’s mission is to CONNECT. DISCOVER. LEARN. THRIVE.

The Wichita Public Library’s Vision is to be INCLUSIVE. RESPONSIVE. COLLABORATIVE. YOUR LIBRARY MAKES YOUR COMMUNITY LIMITLESS.

Trust and Service are City of Wichita Values that influence our interactions and decisions. We recognize that Wichita Public Library, as a social institution, has a duty to advance equity through library services to ensure all residents experience a sense of belonging. To support this work, we are guided by the following values:

Community: We embrace our role as a community builder. Our services evolve to meet the needs of our residents.

Diversity: We respect, reflect, and value differences. Our services are inclusive and actively affirm the varied needs and interests of everyone.

Opportunity: We support curiosity, exploration, and learning for all individuals. We actively seek opportunities for our staff and community to learn, grow and thrive.

Examples of Work Performed

To be a successful member of our team you must embrace WPL’s “customer first” mindset, have a passion for making a difference in new and different ways, work with patience, courtesy, strong judgment and empathy during all customer interactions; communicate pleasantly and effectively; and think quickly, logically and critically to expedite effective responses to customer inquiries. In addition, you must enjoy interacting directly with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds and be adept at understanding the changing needs of Library customers. It is important that you have the ability to thrive in a constantly changing work environment and are able to identify and implement process improvements.

Specific duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Conducting community outreach and building community relations in the branch service areas.
• Maintaining onsite supervision and management of the assigned branch locations.
• Ensuring consistent, high quality service delivery from the assigned branch location.
• Developing and overseeing programs and services that meet the evolving needs of community residents within the branch service area.
• Implementing activities in support of the library’s strategic plan as it relates to service from branch locations.
• Implementing process improvement techniques to provide continuous improvement as it relates to branch operations and work processes.
• Resolving operational issues and customer concerns in a timely manner.
• Selecting, scheduling, training, supervising and coaching staff assigned to the branch location.
• Recommending library materials collection additions to fulfill needs and expectations of branch users.
• Coordinating assigned activities with other branches and sections of the library.
• Actively participating in work of the library’s supervisory team.
• Collaborates across library divisions to ensure a strategic approach to library services.
• Focusing on outcomes; prepares and submits evaluations, reports and statistics.

A skilled Leader:

• Prioritizes service and day to day work in a busy branch environment.
• Maintains outstanding and timely communication and supervisory skills.
• Builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Fosters staff cooperation, commitment, and motivation by inspiring and coaching team members to accomplish goals.
• Sets service tone for the branch, fosters teamwork, guides new staff and keeps more senior staff motivated, builds consensus.
• Exemplifies excellent public service and social skills.
• Possesses a vision and understanding of library service with an eye to both the future and the contemporary needs of the public.

Technologically savvy:

• Maintains a strong knowledge of current trends and emerging technologies, including electronic devices such as e-readers and tablets.
• Possesses a strong working knowledge and use of Microsoft operating system and software, Internet software and media applications, digital technologies, android, iOS, and other software.
• Possesses ILS systems experience, preferably Polaris/Leap.

Professionalism:

• Maintains current knowledge of the Library profession and applies awareness to work.
• Actively participates in committee and team work.
• Collaborates effectively with other Library and City agencies and administrators.
• Represents the Library in a positive and professional manner.

Community and Cultural Awareness:

• Works to close the gap in equitable service delivery to marginalized populations of the service area.
• Conducts community engagement to ensure comprehensive and responsive service delivery.
• Plans, prepares, and conducts programs for market segments in the branch service area.
• Embodies cultural awareness and respect for all individuals.

Requirements of Work

• Thorough knowledge of library principles, methods, practices, and materials.
• Thorough knowledge of books, authors, and reader interests.
• Knowledge of standard computer keyboard configurations and ability to access, interpret, and record information using a video display terminal and electronic keyboard.
• Knowledge of counseling, interviewing and personnel procedures.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of outside agencies, and the public.
• Ability to analyze problems and recommend measures to bring about a solution.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally, in writing, and/or by whatever creative means are necessary to cross communication barriers.
• May require ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Experience and Training

Required Experience and Training

• 
  Graduation from an American Library Association accredited institution with a master's degree in library science.
• Three years of professional library experience.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf (Download PDF reader)
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf (Download PDF reader)
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf (Download PDF reader)