Plans, supervises, coordinates, and monitors the daily activities and functions of a division of the Main Library or an entire Library Branch. Supervises library staff in performance of their duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff. Supervisory functions include: makes hiring and termination decisions; prioritizes assignments and directs work; develops and oversees employee work schedules and approves time away from work; provides and/or facilitates employee training and development; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; completes employee performance appraisals; determines or makes recommendations regarding new hire salaries and salary changes; and acts as liaison between employees and management.
• Plans, supervises, coordinates, and monitors daily activities and functions for designated services; develops and implements programs at the library and in the community to promote library services. Provides reference services to patrons such as checking items in/out and processing library card applications/renewals. Manages displays and exhibits for assigned areas.
• Oversees the library’s collection through collection development and analysis, processing, reclassifying, original cataloging.
• Develops and directs training programs for library staff to increase familiarity with library resources and ability to assist library patrons.
• Compiles statistics and generates reports.
• Assist at the reference desk one evening per week and at least one weekend per month.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Specific Assignments Reference:

Technical Services:

• Plans, supervises, coordinates and monitors the cataloging and classification of all library materials; ensures that library materials are accurately and completely processed for efficient retrieval and accountability of the collection.
• Ensures all technical services/cataloging activities are conducted in compliance with departmental policies, practices and procedures.
• Performs copy and original cataloging and classification of library materials; Develops MARC records for books and materials requiring original cataloging utilizing cataloging tools, the HORIZON Library Automation System, and OCLC; maintains the integrity of the bibliographic and item record database.
• Performs authority control work; ensures that library materials are accurately and completely processed to ensure efficient retrieval and accountability of the collection.
• Sets cataloging practice and priorities and manages workflows for cataloging print, media, and electronic resources.
• Serves as a point of contact for vendor services related to cataloging/authority control, resource discovery, and the integrated library system (ILS).
• Maintains and operates the library automated system; plans, supervises and monitors the activities associated with the library automated system including cataloging functions and maintenance of the library bibliographic databases.
• Maintains proper functioning of the ILS ensures the ILS's ongoing operability in response to changes in MARC standards that affect record loading, indexing for search, and displaying of catalog records.
• Maintains and continuously improves the overall quality of records in the library catalog.
• Generates bibliographic and holdings data from the library catalog to support the work of collection development.
• Generates standard reports (e.g. overdues, cash management, monthly statistics etc.) as well as customized ones.
• Manages all areas of electronic resources, including negotiation and maintenance of licenses with vendors/publishers, renewals, database trails, troubleshooting, and technical support for library operations.
• Performs collection analysis, evaluates the collection for strengths and weaknesses.
• Serves as the library resource for planning, development, troubleshooting, and coordination of digital tools, software and other library technology.
• Serves as the Library's liaison with the City of Laredo IST department; partners with them to evaluate, recommend, and test new technologies.
• Serves as a backup for the Reference Services desk in absence of the adult services librarian and or public services librarian.

Specific Area Duties

Circulation/ Branch Services:

• Plans, supervises, coordinates, and monitors the daily activities and functions of the circulation department at the main library; ensuring smooth operation and compliance with City of Laredo/ Laredo Public Libraries accepted policies, practices, and procedures.
• Oversees the daily activities and functions of smaller branch libraries; ensures the smooth day-to-day operations and ensures that all operations and services are conducted in compliance with City of Laredo/Laredo Public Libraries accepted policies, practices, and procedures.

Children's and Young Adult Services:

• Plans, conducts, and monitors children's and young adult's programming and services.
• Plans, develops, and presents age-appropriate programs.
• Encourages reading and library use.
• Researches other successful programs through reading professional literature and attending workshops.
• Incorporates and/or modifies current program; selects, orders and shows movies.
• Provides service to readers and reference services to children and young adults.
• Selects and displays new or interesting books for children and young adults; advises children, children's parents, and young adults of appropriate and/or interesting books.
• Develops and directs training programs for library personnel engaged in children's and young adult activities, including temporary and volunteer staff.
• Responsible for providing reference, collection development, programming, outreach, and reader's service to the community with special focus on children and young adults (ages 12 to 18).
• Develops a highly-visible public relations program for children and young adult services in the community, including partnerships with schools and other organizations.
• Selects and maintains material for the children's and young adult collection.
• Organizes and coordinates summer youth volunteers to help in the library.
• Coordinates tours and group training for school and other group classes.
• Coordinates the Teen Advisory Board (schedules meetings, etc.)

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of current library trends.
• Knowledge of computer programs, software, and language, such as Microsoft Office, Structure Query Language (SQL), CircSystem, and Integrated Library System (ILS).
• Knowledge of electronic resource lending models.
• Knowledge of collection development strategies.
• Knowledge of branch operations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of print and electronic resources.

Skills and Abilities:

• Skilled in planning and organizing
• Skilled in critical thinking, trouble shooting, and problem solving
• Skilled in excellent customer service delivery
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to supervise and manage others
• Ability to network, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to exercise sound judgement
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous work and routine work.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Effort Requirements

Position will have the following exposures

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment Locations

Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments

Never

• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Construction site
• Confined space

Seldom

• Vehicles

Sometimes

• Outdoor environment
• Warehouse environment

Often

• Office or similar indoor environment

Exposures

Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements

Never

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Communicable diseases
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Seldom

• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate

Travel

Position will require the employee to travel

Never:

• National travel
• International travel

Seldom:

• Regional travel

Sometimes:

• Local travel

Required Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited* program.

• At least three (3) years of experience working in a public library, of which one (1) year would have been supervising personnel in a public library.

*Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)
Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas Driver's License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver's License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.
Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.
Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480 two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.