LIBRARIAN, SENIOR

Fulton County; Fairburn (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fulton County Public Library System in Fairburn, GA seeks an experienced Librarian Principal to lead a branch, develop goals and services, and supervise staff. This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and accountability across library operations.

The position emphasizes community outreach, program development, budget oversight, and collaboration with libraries across the system to deliver high quality library services to diverse patrons.

Qualifications

• MLS degree required.
• Four years librarian experience, including two in leadership.
• Georgia Professional Librarian certification within six months of employment.
• Driver's license may be required by area assignment.
• Strong knowledge of library policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervises staff and volunteers; manages schedules and evaluations.
• Organizes work and assigns tasks to meet objectives.
• Manages branch operations, goals, and compliance with regulations.
• Monitors program budgets and approves expenditures.
• Oversees facility upkeep and room scheduling.
• Develops community outreach and partnerships.
• Prepares monthly reports and evaluates program outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Community outreach

Policy adherence

Staff training

Education

Master's degree in Library Science

Georgia Professional Librarian certification

Job description

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION IN THE FULTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

LOCATION

FAIRBURN BRANCH

METROPOLITAN BRANCH (RECENTLY ADDED)

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in Library Science; supplemented by four (4) years of professional Librarian experience, including two (2) years lead or supervisory experience.

Specific License Or Certification Required

Certification as a Professional Librarian issued by the State of Georgia within six (6) months of employment. May be required to possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license as required by area assignment.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Veterans’ Preference

Qualifying veterans will be given preference in the form of a guaranteed invitation to interview for any position to which they applied and have been found to have met the minimum qualifications. Veterans’ preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. To see the full Fulton County Veterans’ Preference Policy and Procedure, please click here.

Purpose Of Classification

The purpose of this classification is to perform duties related to managing a community library branch location or a department or collection in a larger branch. Responsibilities include developing goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; developing and managing assigned area budget; serving as a community liaison for a library branch or functional area, and supervising assigned staff. Additional responsibilities include, organizing, leading, planning, directing and/or implementing outreach services, programs, initiatives and presentations. This classification is distinguished from Librarian, Principal in that this class manages a Library department or service.

Essential Functions

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff and volunteers: may makes hiring or disciplinary recommendations; develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews time cards; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels, documents and disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff and volunteers in operations, policies, and procedures; works at least one late evening at a Library facility and some weekends. Position can be reassigned based on the needs of the department.
• Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; and provides progress and activity reports to management.
• Manages operations of library branch or department/collection: develops short and long-range goals and objectives for assigned area of the library system or a library branch; interprets and complies with federal and state regulations applicable to assigned branch/department; creates, and develops and improves strategies to enhance delivery of services and programs to library patrons.
• Monitors assigned program budget: reviews previous yearly expenditures for supplies, equipment, and services; monitors expenditures for budget compliance; and approves program expenditures prior to submission for payment.
• Manages assigned library branch facility: requests or department; requests maintenance and service repairs as needed; and coordinates schedules for use of meeting rooms and study rooms.
• May serve as a system-wide technical expert in a particular library support function or subject matter as required: provides expert advice and recommendations related to library subjects/services to the general public and other library staff.
• Manages and evaluates the delivery of public library services to diverse communities: administers evaluations and tabulates results; evaluates programming and statistical information; and prepares and submits monthly report.
• May develop a major collection for the Library involving sensitivity to and experience with targeted readership and with attention to diversity across the spectrum: recommends the selection, retention, and development of collections; selects books and materials for purchase and prepares order lists; removes and weeds outdated, worn, and little-used materials from library collections as needed; selects books from donations to add to collection; and consistently reads current books, periodicals, and book reviews and reports.
• Establishes and maintains viable relationships with community agencies and institutions and develops partnerships to enhance library system awareness and promote services, conducts community outreach events and library card drives; develops and disseminates promotional materials; and gives presentations to community groups/meetings to promote programs and services.
• Maintains a current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new technologies, trends and advances in the profession; reads various books, literary journals/publications, and other professional literature; participates in professional organizations and maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops, training sessions, and continuing education opportunities as appropriate.
• Serves on professional library committees and task forces (which includes national, state and Fulton County Library System); assists with drafting policies and procedures, and making recommendations to supervisor/manager.

Additional Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

For Applicants With Prior Military Service

We strongly encourage veterans, prior military and transitioning service members to apply. Many of the competencies and transferable skills developed through military service directly support success in this role, including:

• Leadership Under Pressure: A Librarian Principal with military experience leads calmly and decisively during high-stress situations, ensuring continuity of service and staff confidence.
• Operational Planning & Execution: They excel at structuring complex library operations into clear, efficient plans that align resources, staff, and timelines with organizational goals.
• Adaptability & Rapid Problem-Solving: They quickly assess unexpected challenges and implement practical solutions that keep library services running smoothly.
• Team Cohesion & Communication: They build strong, mission-focused teams through clear communication, consistent expectations, and a collaborative leadership style.
• Safety & Risk Awareness: They maintain a vigilant, proactive approach to patron and staff safety, enforcing policies and responding effectively to emergencies.

Performance Aptitudes

Data Utilization

Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction

Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization

Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude

Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude

Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning

Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning

Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee, and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.