Branch Manager - Collins Branch

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Branch Manager is a leadership position with responsibility for overseeing the daily operations of the Collins Branch and managing and training the Collins Branch staff. This manager collaborates with the Managers of Branch Services and Assistant Director of Branch Services to establish branch priorities; set the tone in providing personal, accurate, innovative, and relevant services and programs to library branch users; and developing collections, programs, and services to respond to community needs.

Supervisory/Leadership responsibilities:

• Manage services at the branch in a manner that supports the Library’s mission and strategic framework and ensure that staff members offer the highest quality assistance to library users.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate services to meet the needs of the neighborhood.
• Direct all activities in the branch and supervise all staff assigned to the branch.
• Prepare staff schedules and work assignments, ensuring that desk coverage is adequate and is assigned in the best interest of library service needs.
• Aid in the recruitment of new branch staff, serve on relevant search committees as requested, and train new branch staff members.
• Evaluate performance of branch staff annually, set meaningful individual goals, and help to achieve them.
• Address and document performance issues in a timely manner.
• Supervise professional and paraprofessional staff members at various levels and ensure thoughtful leadership, mentorship, and development is given to each.
• Communicate and apply library policies and procedures; address and resolve patron issues.
• Lead branch staff in addressing, resolving, and documenting violations of the library patron behavior policy.
• Provide active frontline leadership.
• Promote library initiatives, work alongside staff, inspire investment, act as a mentor, and provide daily guidance, expertise, and direction.
• Function as a member of the leadership team of the Library.
• Participate in and may lead workgroups for planning and implementing programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and ensure content is shared.

Public Service Responsibilities:

• Deliver exceptional and engaging service to the public including reader's advisory and reference services.
• Perform functions related to circulation, including checkouts, check-ins, reserves, renewals, fine assessment and collection, and compilation of statistics.
• Direct collection development and maintenance for the branch.
• Select adult materials and supervise the selection of children's materials, in accordance with the allocated branch budget, to ensure that the total branch collection will reflect the needs of the community.
• Supervise the planning of programming for youth and is responsible for creating adult programming and activities for the branch including operation of audiovisual equipment at programs.
• Plan and implement exhibits.
• Ensure that library initiatives are an active part of library branch services.
• Provide leadership and supervision for circulation functions, including but not limited to: Accounting for all money received at the circulation desk, maintaining orderly and efficient reserve shelves, keeping accurate oversight of overdue, lost and missing materials, supervising the shelving of all books and other library resources, processing deliveries and merchandising collection.
• Monitor public areas of library.
• Promote library services and conduct outreach activities.
• Maintain good relations with schools, outside groups, and agencies.
• Represent the Library at community meetings and participate in community events.
• Work collaboratively to publicise branch events and services both in print and online.
• May contribute to and participate in the development of the library's online presence.
• Assist patrons in using a wide range of online resources and technologies (e.g., computers, laptops, e‑readers, tablets, scanners, Wi‑Fi hotspots, emerging STEAM technologies), including basic troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Perform all duties with cultural awareness and humility, recognition of historic and institutional systems of oppression and their impact, and an active commitment to providing equitable services to marginalised or underserved populations in Cambridge.

Other Responsibilities:

• Keep informed of professional developments and attend professional meetings and trainings; may represent the Library in professional venues or working groups as appropriate.
• Manage the branch budget effectively; remains diligent in effective fiscal management.
• Perform administrative and organisational tasks such as compiling statistics, generating reports and ordering supplies.
• Maintain orderliness and neatness in the library.
• Report necessary building repairs and servicing.
• Ensure cleanliness and good order in both public and staff areas.
• Other duties as required for the good of the Library.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree from an ALA‑accredited MLS program and experience working with diverse populations is required. In exceptional instances, specialised education, training and/or experience may be substituted for part or all of the required elements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of the Library’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Commitment to doing all work through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti‑racism.
• Exceptional customer service skills and commitment to public service.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse community and with individuals who may be experiencing hardships that impact their behaviour.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and a positive attitude.
• Sound judgment and strong problem‑solving skills; flexibility and adaptability in stressful situations and times of change.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of larger department and system teams.
• In‑depth knowledge and appreciation of literature and media, digital resources, and new and emerging technology; demonstrated ability to operate and instruct others in the use of library resources, equipment, software, and systems.
• Knowledge of principles, materials, and equity of access issues related to serving the public; demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to program and service design and to establish positive relationships with patrons.
• Demonstrated reference, readers’ advisory, programming, outreach, collection development, and project management knowledge and ability.
• Knowledge of supervisory, leadership, change management, and process improvement principles and practices; demonstrated ability to direct the work of other staff members.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and dependability in an environment with frequent interruptions and competing priorities.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of 3 years of successful professional work experience strongly preferred.
• Previous public library and supervisory/managerial responsibility, and fluency in a language in addition to English are desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment; transport carts of materials which can weigh more than 100 pounds across a level floor or on a ramp; carry baskets of materials weighing up to 30 pounds; pay attention to details and concentrate on tasks despite frequent interruptions and moderate noise levels; communicate effectively and exchange accurate information with coworkers and members of the public; read and organise written material; place library materials on shelves or carts which can be located at floor level or overhead.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work in assigned area, including office areas, training rooms and library locations, as needed.
• Normal office exposure to noise, stress, and interruptions.

SCHEDULE:

• The work week is 37.5 hours assigned in the best interests of the Library. The schedule requires a five‑day work week and includes evenings and weekend hours and participation in a system‑wide Saturday rotation.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Resume
• Cover Letter