Library Advisor - Riverside County, CA

Library Systems & Services, LLC; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Riverside County Library System seeks a Library Advisor to serve as a system-wide advisor, implementation leader, and professional resource across its libraries. The role reports to the Assistant Executive Director and collaborates with executive leadership, branch managers, and office staff to support high-quality public library services.

The Library Advisor provides consultation, coaching, training, and implementation support, focusing on organizational effectiveness, executive priority

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required; MLIS/MLS preferred.
• Significant public library experience demonstrating expertise in library operations, programming, collections, and customer service.
• Experience supporting organizational initiatives, coaching managers, training staff, leading projects, or implementing operational improvements preferred.
• Strong facilitation, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate without supervisory authority.
• Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into practical recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to Branch Managers regarding public library operations, programming, collections, customer service, and community engagement.
• Offers guidance, coaching, recommendations, and implementation assistance as a professional resource.
• Advises on operational incidents and elevates executive actions when needed.
• Supports implementation of executive priorities and organizational initiatives.
• Assists in translating organizational priorities into measurable local actions through implementation planning.
• Identifies challenges and collaborates on solutions.
• Participates in cross-functional projects that advance operational excellence.
• Supports orientation and onboarding of new Branch Managers and management staff.
• Identifies training needs and coordinates learning opportunities.
• Assists in facilitating leadership forums, peer-learning sessions, workshops, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Visits branches to support implementation efforts and analyze operational trends using LibraryIQ.

Skills

Facilitation

Communication

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Influencing without authority

Data analysis

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

MLIS/MLS

Public administration

Education/Business background

Tools

LibraryIQ

Integrated library systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Library Advisor is a non-supervisory professional Librarian who serves as a system-wide advisor, implementation leader, and professional resource for the Riverside County Library System (RCLS).

Reporting to the Assistant Executive Director, the Library Advisor works collaboratively with Executive leadership, Branch Managers, Library Management Office staff, and other organizational partners to support consistent, high-quality public library services across RCLS. The position provides professional consultation, coaching, training, and implementation support.

The Library Advisor does not supervise Branch Managers or serve as an intermediary between branches and Executive leadership.

Instead, the role focuses on strengthening organizational effectiveness by sharing professional expertise, supporting implementation of Executive priorities, promoting best practices, facilitating collaboration, and helping branches successfully navigate organizational initiatives.

The Library Advisor serves as a professional consultant, organizational resource, and implementation partner, not as a supervisory position. Success is measured by strengthening Branch Managers, improving organizational consistency, supporting successful implementation of executive priorities, and promoting operational excellence through collaboration, coaching, and professional expertise.

Primary Responsibilites

Support and Consultation

• Provides support to Branch Managers regarding public library operations, programming, collections, customer service, community engagement, and professional library practices.
• Serves as a professional resource by offering guidance, coaching, recommendations, and implementation assistance.
• Advises on operational incidents and recommend appropriate responses; matters requiring executive action are elevated appropriately.

Organizational Implementation

• Supports implementation of executive priorities and organizational initiatives.
• Assist Branch Managers with implementation plans translating organizational priorities into measurable local actions.
• Identifies implementation challenges and collaborates on solutions.
• Participates in cross-functional projects that advance operational excellence.

Professional Development

• Supports orientation and onboarding of new Branch Managers and management staff.
• Identifies training needs and coordinates learning opportunities.
• Assists in facilitating leadership forums, peer-learning sessions, workshops, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Serves as a mentor and professional resource.

Operational Excellence

• Visits branchs to support implementation efforts on behalf of executive Leadership direction, organizational initiatives, operational assessments, and continuous improvement.
• Use LibraryIQ and other approved tools to analyze operational trends and provide recommendations.
• Maintain awareness of current library trends and emerging practices.
• Partners with Collection Management, Literacy Services, Business Operations, Marketing, Facilities, Information Technology, HR, and other departments.
• Encourages Branch Managers to work directly with designated subject-matter experts.
• Supports partnerships, Friends of the Library, programming initiatives, and community engagement.

Organizational Support

• May help to assist in the temporary operational support during leadership vacancies or major organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Routes matters requiring executive involvement through appropriate leadership channels.
• Promotes a collaborative, inclusive, customer-focused culture.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required. Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS/MLS), public administration, organizational leadership, education, business administration, or a related field preferred. Significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Significant public library experience demonstrating expertise in library operations, programming, collections, and customer service.
• Experience supporting organizational initiatives, coaching managers, training staff, leading projects, or implementing operational improvements preferred.
• Strong facilitation, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate without supervisory authority.
• Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Proficiency with integrated library systems, Microsoft Office, LibraryIQ or comparable reporting tools.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly throughout Riverside County.