Administrative Librarian 1 at Philadelphia, City of (PA) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is second supervisory level library administration work directing, through subordinate supervisors, the technical or public service operations of a section within a division of the municipal library system. Employees in this class evaluate present library services, operations, and vendor products recommend programs, goals, policies, and changes in existing programs, and represent the library at community events. Work is performed under the direction of higher level library administrator.


For all other inquiries, please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
ELIGIBLE LIST: DEPARTMENTAL-ONLY PROMOTIONAL: Only a departmental promotional eligible list for the Free Library of Philadelphia will be established as a result of this examination.

Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.

PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS: Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.

If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.

If an oral examination is held, it will be scheduled for the week of December 1, 2025. Please note that this examination date is subject to change. Candidates must have access to a desktop computer, laptop, with a webcam and internet access. If you do not have internet access please contact the analyst listed on this announcement.

Virtual Testing May Be Utilized for This Examination: Candidates taking an oral examination may have their responses rated in person by a panel of Subject Matter Experts on the date of the examination, or have their responses recorded on the date of the examination and rated by Subject Matter Experts at a later date. Please refer all questions regarding this examination to the analyst listed below on the announcement.

If a Training and Experience Evaluation is held, applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.

Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation, including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out-of-class documentation, etc., and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.

An Eligible List will be established the week of December 22, 2025. Please note that this date may change.

TEST REVIEW:

If a Training and Experience Evaluation is held, in accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.

If an oral examination is held, in accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091B, candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file appeals. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.11, only candidates who have failed the oral examination may appeal to the Civil Service Commission upon the grounds of irregularity, bias, or fraud in the conduct of the oral test. Issues related to the suitability or adequacy of point scores awarded to passers are not appealable to the Commission. Call 215-686-0880 if you wish to schedule a Test Review.
College

The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.

1. CIVIL SERVICE STATUS: Presently employed by the City of Philadelphia with permanent Civil Service status in the Free Library of Philadelphia, with a performance rating of Satisfactory or higher.

AND

2. EDUCATION: Possession of a fifth year degree from an accredited school of library science.

AND

3. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Three years of librarian experience in a large library system.

AND

4. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE: Two years of librarian experience at the supervisory level.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included possession of a fifth year degree in Library Science as an educational minimum and the specific experience as described above.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.