Director of Public Services & Research Innovation

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 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.