Division Manager (Main Library)

ABOUT THE LIBRARY

Since 1874, the Akron-Summit County Public Library (ASCPL) has been an essential community asset. We’ve been recognized nationally as one of the finest public libraries in the United States due to our excellent customer service, collaborative community involvement, and high level of customer and employee satisfaction.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, 11 paid holidays, voluntary benefits (health, dental, and vision), ASCPL-provided life insurance, and retirement through the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The ASCPL is hiring a Division Manager at our Main Library in downtown Akron to support our Mission Statement to provide resources for learning and leisure, information services, meeting spaces, and programs for all ages that support, improve, and enrich individual, family, and community life.

This role oversees the Business, Government & Science division , which is home to most of Main Library’s nonfiction collection, magazines, and newspapers. Specialty areas include health information for consumers ; Patent & Trademark Resource Center ; Small Business & Nonprofit Resource Center ; Martin Luther King Collection ; other business research, job and career resources ; government documents ; cake pans and kitchen tools in our Library of Things ; and a seed sharing library .

The Division Manager works 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekends, as both a manager and a Librarian. As a Manager, the role supervises employees, provides direction, coaches, trains and develops, hires, and manages performance to organization goals and expectations. The Manager also fosters community engagement, manages budgets and resources, and, as a Librarian with a focus on adult customers, performs all librarian functions, including direct customer service, programming, merchandising, collection maintenance, and reference and reader’s advisory.

Specific duties include:

• Leading employees in providing the highest quality service to all internal and external customers, including building morale, supporting teamwork, and managing group processes, as well as supporting the team to meet established Library, division, and individual goal and objectives.
• Serving as a member of management who understands the organization, financials, industry, customers, and strategy.
• Overseeing the planning, implementation, and merchandising of Library programs, services, and resources.
• Providing training on and ensuring compliance with standard operating and safety procedures, Library policies, and proper usage of equipment and technology.
• Collaborating with centralized Collection Development employees regarding customer, community, and library trends.
• Be a Library liaison with appropriate community organizations, schools, and other community stakeholders.
• Managing vendors and outside service providers effectively by setting expectations and holding them accountable.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Required: Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. Knowledge of management as it relates to supervision, functions, operations, and mission of the Library. Knowledge of the principles and practices of library science. Knowledge of library services and operations. Knowledge of customer interests related to Library materials, programs, and services. Knowledge of basic economics, budgeting, and accounting principles and practices. Knowledge of the principles of intellectual freedom as they apply to public libraries. Skill in customer service principles, practices, and programs. Skill in employee and facilities management. Ability to oversee, plan, and conduct programs and services for Library customers. Ability to lead and develop a department and department staff members. Ability to serve as a knowledgeable resource to the organization's management team that provides leadership and direction. Ability to plan, implement, and manage change within the agency, division, and/or organization. Ability to obtain Consumer Health Information Specialization from the Medical Library Association certification within one year after start date. Ability to lift light objects (less than 25 pounds) and carry them short distances (50 feet or less) and push Library materials carts up to 200 pounds. A valid driver's license, automobile insurance, and reliable personal transportation. Ability to pass criminal background and education verification checks.

Preferred: Public Librarian Certification. 5 or more years of relevant library experience. 2 or more years of supervisory experience.

THE AKRON-SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS AN EQUAL OPPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER