Library Branch Coordinator - Athens

County of Marathon; United States; On-site; USD 31,000 - 45,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits prorated

Job summary

The Marathon County Public Library is seeking a Branch Coordinator at the Athens Branch to lead daily operations and support staff in delivering high‑quality library services.

The role manages scheduling, coordinates programs for all ages, and builds strong community connections while ensuring a welcoming, safe branch environment. A bachelor's degree and library/customer service experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred, with two years of experience in a public library or related customer service environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and customer service skills.
• Ability to lead, mentor, train, and work effectively with a diverse team.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service with empathy, enthusiasm, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build positive relationships with patrons, staff, community organizations, and library administration.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of work while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to learn and effectively use library software, electronic resources, computers, and standard office technology.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply library policies and procedures.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Valid Wisconsin driver's license and reliable means of transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day branch operations, staffing, scheduling, workflow, and service coverage.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and support branch staff; participate in the performance review process.
• Serve as a communication liaison between branch staff and library administration, fostering open, respectful, and collaborative communication.
• Provide exceptional customer service and assist patrons with circulation, reference, technology, library resources, databases, computers, and other information needs.
• Respond to patron questions and concerns, provide guidance and technical assistance, and resolve customer service issues with professionalism and empathy.
• Coordinate and promote branch programs, events, and services for children, teens, adults, and the broader community.
• Build positive relationships with community members, organizations, and local leaders and seek opportunities to promote library services and resources.
• Help maintain a safe, clean, welcoming, and well-functioning branch.
• Monitor facility needs and report concerns related to safety, security, maintenance, or equipment.
• Follow established procedures for emergencies, including monitoring severe weather information and responding appropriately to weather-related situations.
• Support routine branch operations, including circulation, processing and shelving materials, shelf reading, deliveries, holds, patron accounts, supplies, correspondence, and daily cash transactions.
• Assist with the development and implementation of library services, policies, procedures, and process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, increase efficiency, and enhance the overall patron experience.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation and participate in special projects, committees, and professional development activities.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organization

Customer Service

Team Leadership

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

WHO WE ARE

The Marathon County Public Library consists of nine locations throughout Marathon County, Wisconsin, including our Wausau Headquarters, plus branches in Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford.

Branch Coordinator

This is a 30 hour per week position at the Athens Branch of the Marathon County Public Library. Hours can include days, evenings, and Saturdays as needed to meet staffing demands.

Position Overview

The Branch Coordinator serves as a key point of contact for patrons, staff, and the community at the Athens branch library. Under the direction of the Library Services Manager, this position coordinates daily branch operations, supervises staff, manages scheduling, and helps ensure the delivery of welcoming, high-quality circulation and reference services. The Branch Coordinator is a hands-on leader who supports staff, responds to patron needs, coordinates programs and events, and looks for ways to improve patron experience and make branch operations more efficient. This position plays an important role in connecting the library with the community and ensuring the branch is welcoming, safe, and an engaging place for everyone.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the branch, including staffing, scheduling, workflow, and service coverage.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and support branch staff and participate in the performance review process.
• Serve as a communication liaison between branch staff and library administration, fostering open, respectful, and collaborative communication.
• Provide exceptional customer service and assist patrons of all ages with circulation, reference, technology, library resources, databases, computers, and other information needs.
• Respond to patron questions and concerns, provide guidance and technical assistance, and resolve customer service issues with professionalism and empathy.
• Coordinate and promote branch programs, events, and services for children, teens, adults, and the broader community.
• Build positive relationships with community members, organizations, and local leaders and seek opportunities to promote library services and resources.
• Help maintain a safe, clean, welcoming, and well-functioning branch.
• Monitor facility needs and report concerns related to safety, security, maintenance, or equipment.
• Follow established procedures for emergencies, including monitoring severe weather information and responding appropriately to weather-related situations.
• Support routine branch operations, including circulation, processing and shelving materials, shelf reading, deliveries, holds, patron accounts, supplies, correspondence, and daily cash transactions.
• Assist with the development and implementation of library services, policies, procedures, and process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, increase efficiency, and enhance the overall patron experience.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation and participate in special projects, committees, and professional development activities.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is an approachable, organized, and collaborative leader who enjoys working with people and serving the community. The successful candidate will demonstrate: Bachelor's degree preferred, with two years of experience in a public library or related customer service environment. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and customer service skills.
• Ability to lead, mentor, train, and work effectively with a diverse team.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service with empathy, enthusiasm, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build positive relationships with patrons, staff, community organizations, and library administration.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of work while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to learn and effectively use library software, electronic resources, computers, and standard office technology.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply library policies and procedures.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Valid Wisconsin driver's license and reliable means of transportation required.

Physical Requirements

This position involves regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, shelving, keyboarding, and other repetitive movements. The ability to use equipment or aids to reach materials on high and low shelves, lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and push and maneuver book carts weighing up to 75 pounds is required.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a public library environment with frequent interaction with patrons, staff, volunteers, and community members. The Branch Coordinator must be comfortable working in a busy public-service setting, responding to changing needs, and maintaining a welcoming and professional environment.

Why This Position Matters

The Branch Coordinator helps make the library a place where people feel welcome, supported, and connected. Through staff leadership, exceptional customer service, community engagement, and thoughtful coordination of programs and services, this position helps ensure the branch meets the changing needs of the community.

COMPENSATION

Starting Salary: $27.61 per hour This part-time position is eligible for benefits which are prorated based on 30/hours per week.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 22

Special Accommodations

Marathon County will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Employee Resources Department office or phone [phone] to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

Notice to Applicants

Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant’s application, records, recommendations, and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the County not provide access to this information. If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Employee Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law Marathon County was officially established in 1850 and is the largest of Wisconsin’s 72 counties today. Centrally located, Marathon County is easy to find, but with 1,584 square miles of natural beauty set in the Wisconsin River Valley, it is hard to leave. Marathon County has a population of 137,958 including the Wausau metropolitan area of 70,000. Marathon County offers a combination of big city amenities with the look and feel of the great north-woods, surrounded by hills, lakes, and rivers; complete with small town hospitality. Our community takes pride in its natural beauty, abundant recreation opportunities, quality education, healthcare, diversity, industry, and overall quality of life. Whether you enjoy fishing, boating, biking, swimming, hiking, cross country or downhill skiing, snowmobiling, ATVing, camping, or anything in between, Marathon County is the place to be! In fact, Wausau and Central Wisconsin was voted as The BEST Place in Wisconsin for Outdoor Activities by the readers of Wisconsin Trails magazine. In addition to four seasons of recreation, Marathon County also has a thriving arts community, events and festivals, an active nightlife scene, diverse dining options, and a convenient regional airport. Basecamp Greater Wausau offers eligible out-of-state professionals a $10,000 relocation grant and additional benefits to help them build a life in the Greater Wausau region. The Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership (GWPP) is facilitating the program in collaboration with regional project partners. Marathon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status Please contact us at 715-261-1457 OR 715-261-1451.