Librarian II - Branch Manager - North Branch

City of Abilene; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Abilene is seeking a Branch Manager for the North Abilene Public Library to oversee daily operations, staff, and public services. This role ensures programs, collections, and facilities meet community needs and follow City policies.

You will supervise staff, coordinate with city departments, manage reference and readers’ advisory services, and contribute to budget planning and programming. Strong leadership and library experience required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library science (ALA-accredited) is required.
• Four (4) years of professional library experience with supervisory responsibilities preferred.
• Strong knowledge of reference, readers' advisory, and circulation services.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and schedule branch staff and provide training.
• Oversee daily branch operations and ensure policy compliance.
• Deliver reference, readers’ advisory, and circulation services to patrons.
• Maintain high-quality collections and coordinate with Technical Services for acquisitions.
• Prepare branch reports and support budgeting and resource planning.
• Promote programming and community engagement at the North Branch.

Skills

Public library operations

Staff supervision

Customer service

Reference services

Education

Master's in Library Science

Tools

Library catalog systems

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the appropriate Library administration, manages the daily operations, staffing, public services, and program delivery of an assigned North Branch of the Abilene Public Library. Ensures that branch services, collections, programs, and facility operations support community needs and comply with City and departmental policies and procedures. Coordinates with Library administration, Technical Services, and other City departments to maintain effective and responsive library services.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises supervision over staff, including assigning and coordinating work, developing staff, providing training, evaluating performance, and addressing work‑related concerns in accordance with City policies and established supervisory authority.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Supervise, train, evaluate, and schedule assigned branch staff to support effective operations, consistent service, adherence to policies, and a positive work environment.

Manage daily branch operations in accordance with City and departmental policies, procedures, service standards, and applicable library practices.

Oversee and provide reference, readers’ advisory, circulation, and other public library services; respond to patron questions and resolve or elevate service concerns as appropriate.

Maintain a relevant, accessible, and high-quality materials collection in coordination with Technical Services; recommend acquisitions, review existing materials, and recommend removal of outdated, damaged, or worn items in accordance with established practices.

Assess community and branch service‑area needs and recommend appropriate materials, programs, services, and service improvements.

Establish and monitor branch work methods, operational priorities, and short‑and long‑term goals; identify challenges and recommend practical solutions.

Prepare, review, and maintain accurate reports, records, and statistics, including monthly branch activity reports and other information requested by Library administration.

Contribute to departmental budget planning by identifying and recommending staffing, equipment, materials, technology, and supply needs; monitor branch resource needs and use resources responsibly.

Monitor the branch facility and work environment to support a safe, accessible, orderly, and welcoming environment; promptly report maintenance, security, or safety concerns.

Maintain effective communication and collaborate with Library administration, Technical Services, the City Parks and Recreation Department, and other City staff as needed to support branch operations.

Support system‑wide library operations by traveling to other branches or City departments for programming, meetings, service coverage, or other operational needs as assigned.

Provide guidance and development to assigned staff, communicate expectations, and address performance or customer‑service concerns within the position’s authority.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job‑related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of public library operations, including reference, readers’ advisory, circulation, and public service.

Reference sources, current literature, and trends and developments relevant to collection development, library programming, and community services.

Library collection classification, selection tools, and collection‑development practices.

Office management, work organization, staff supervision, scheduling, and performance management practices.

Online databases, automated library catalog and circulation systems, and technologies used to provide services, prepare statistics, and promote library resources and programs.

Recordkeeping, reporting, customer service, and applicable City and departmental policies and procedures

Skill to:

Skill in using automated library catalog and circulation systems and related library technologies.

Skill in preparing and maintaining accurate reports, records, schedules, and statistical information.

Skill in organizing staff schedules, coordinating workflows, and managing competing operational priorities.

Skill in applying library collection‑development tools and techniques.

Skill in communicating library services, programs, and resources to the public.

Skill in using common office software and electronic databases to organize information and support branch operations.

Ability to:

Ability to supervise, train, evaluate, and develop employees and communicate clear work expectations.

Ability to analyze operational problems and recommend practical solutions.

Ability to exercise sound judgment in daily branch management and public‑service situations.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff, patrons, Library administration, and other City departments.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees, patrons, vendors, and other internal and external contacts.

Ability to meet deadlines, take initiative, and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by branch operations and programming.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

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Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels arerequired at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in professional library work, including two (2) years of supervisory experience is preferred.

Education/Training

Graduation from an ALA accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in library sciences or information science is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_x_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often: N = No E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time) M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

_M_ Standing

_E_ Sitting

_M_ Walking

_M_ Lifting

_M_ Carrying

_M_ Pushing/Pulling

_I_ Overhead Work

_E_ Fine Dexterity