Director of Public Services

Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Library of Virginia seeks a Director of Public Services to lead a dynamic team and reimagine access to historical resources. You will oversee on-site and online research support across Virginia history, government, and people, while aligning services with mission and ongoing assessment.

Responsibilities include policy oversight, performance coaching, staff training, and collaboration with Library IT to deploy new workflows, online reference tools, and instructional materials for patrons.

Qualifications

• Considerable experience supervising full-time professional employees.
• Extensive experience with managing Library/Archives access and reference service processes.
• Demonstrated experience with performance management.
• Extensive knowledge with ILS systems for Access Services, including patron services and circulation.
• Demonstrated experience with workflow documentation for access services and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a merged public service team providing on-site and online access and research support on Virginia history, government, and people.
• Oversee access policies, ensuring compliance with federal and state guidelines.
• Conduct regular performance Evaluations and provide coaching and mentoring to support staff development.
• Ensure staff receive ongoing training and professional development aligned with evolving user needs.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to align staff activities with the institution’s mission and goals.
• Develop and implement a forward-thinking service model that evolves with user expectations.
• Lead continuous assessment cycles to improve services.
• Collaborate with Library IT and Digital Initiatives to implement workflows and online reference tools.
• Oversee creation of instructional materials to support user education (e.g., genealogy research).
• Utilize LibAnswers and LibConnect to evaluate and enhance online reference services.
• Engage in space-planning and accessibility improvements.
• Build continual improvement into interlibrary loan services and archival ordering system.

Skills

Leadership

Performance management

Staff mentoring

Communication

Interlibrary loan

ILS systems

Springshare Suite

Data-driven assessment

Reference services

FOIA knowledge

HIPAA knowledge

Web content development

Education

Master's degree (ALA-accredited)

History/Archives background

Tools

Springshare Suite

LibAnswers

LibConnect

I​LS systems for Access Services

Job description

The Director of Public Services leads a dynamic team of professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive access to the Library of Virginia’s extensive resources and services. These resources include state and local records, archival and special collections, a robust library collection, and a wide array of digital resources—both institutional digital collections and licensed content. The Director will reimagine research and access services at the Library, fostering a culture of excellent service through collaboration, continuous assessment, and staff mentorship. Reporting to the Chief of Researcher Engagement, the Director will remain current with best practices and innovative service models in archives and libraries and will work closely with staff and management to ensure a seamless user experience online and on-site.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise a merged public service team that provides on-site and online access and research support on Virginia history, government, and people.
• Oversee access policies, ensuring compliance with federal and state guidelines.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide coaching and mentoring to support staff development.
• Ensure staff receive ongoing training and professional development aligned with evolving user needs.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to ensure all staff activities are aligned with and actively advancing the institution’s mission, vision, and long-term strategic goals.
• Develop and implement a forward-thinking service model that evolves with user expectations.
• Lead continuous assessment cycles to improve services.
• Collaborate with Library IT and Digital Initiatives to implement new workflows and technologies, including online reference tools such as chat and video.
• Oversee the creation of instructional materials, including videos, to support user education (e.g., genealogy research).
• Utilize such tools LibAnswers and LibConnect to evaluate and enhance online reference services.
• Actively engage in ongoing space-planning and accessibility improvements.
• Build continual improvement into interlibrary loan services and a robust archival ordering system.

Reference & Collections Expertise

• Maintain expertise in a wide range of reference sources, including licensed databases, open-access platforms, digitized collections, archival records, and published materials.
• Participate in collection development, including evaluating and recommending reference materials.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of research guides, tutorials, and research-focused web content.

Outreach & Collaboration

• Collaborate with Library colleagues to create compelling outreach opportunities, for space activation and online engagement.
• Participate in and contribute to public workshops and educational programs.
• Collaborate with Education & Outreach staff to support presentations, tours, and exhibits.
• Serve on internal committees, task forces, and workgroups.
• Engage with regional and national libraries and archival organizations to stay informed on trends and innovations in information services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable experience supervising full-time professional employees.
• Extensive experience with managing Library/Archives access and reference service processes.
• Demonstrated experience with performance management.
• Extensive knowledge with ILS systems for Access Services, including patron services and circulation
• Demonstrated experience with workflow documentation for access services and process improvement, preferably for libraries or cultural heritage organizations.
• Understanding of best practices for Access Services, Reference and Interlibrary Loan in Libraries and Archives and understanding of public access needs and public service functions in archival repositories.
• Understanding national standards such as FOIA and HIPPA regulations, and how these impact public access.
• Working knowledge of Springshare Suite for time and space management and research guides.
• Demonstrated ability to describe services and collections access in a web environment, and to provide service models that meet patron needs both online and in-person.
• Demonstrated ability to work from evidence-based practice, data collection and work with assessment cycles.
• Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills required.
• Understand and organize complex workflows and exercise a high level of independence, decisiveness, leadership, and consensus-building.

Additional Considerations

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited institution or the equivalent expertise and experience, with a background in history, archives, or the humanities/social sciences preferred.
• Knowledge of Virginia history and culture, is highly desirable.
• Understanding of state and local record types, repositories and organization practices is highly desirable.
• Ability to speak at national conferences and committee on the work of the Library. Previous experience with speaking and professional organization service is highly desirable.