Regional Library Manager - Allendale County and Outreach Services

Allendale, Hampton, Jasper Regional Library System; Allendale (SC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Allendale, Hampton, Jasper Regional Library System is seeking an experienced library leader to supervise multiple facilities and advance services. You will direct operations, budgeting, collection development, and community outreach while ensuring high-quality public service across the regional system.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders. Travel within the region is expected and professional development is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of modern public library principles.
• Knowledge of collection development and readers' advisory.
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Familiarity with rural community needs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provides administrative leadership for all assigned library facilities.
• Supervises Branch Managers and staff; coaching and development.
• Conducts employee evaluations and performance improvement plans.
• Ensures consistent implementation of library policies and procedures.
• Oversees day-to-day operations and public service quality.
• Leads collection development and budget oversight.
• Plans, analyzes, and reports on performance metrics and accreditation.
• Develops community partnerships and outreach initiatives.
• Promotes technology adoption and innovative library services.
• Participates in strategic planning and staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Project management

Data analysis

Public speaking

Education

MLS/MLIS

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Integrated Library System (ILS)

Job description

• Support staff in developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote library programs, services, and special events through digital and print media including a clear and cohesive brand identity for the library system across all branches.
• Plan and execute outreach events, including library pop-ups, community festivals, and school visits.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with local organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies to enhance the library’s reach.

Job Duties:

Leadership & Administration

• Provides administrative leadership for all assigned library facilities.
• Supervises Branch Managers and/or Branch Supervisors and provides coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Conducts employee evaluations and performance improvement plans.
• Recommends hiring, promotion, discipline, and termination of employees.
• Ensures consistent implementation of Regional Library policies and procedures.
• Serves as acting administrator for assigned facilities during emergencies or vacancies.
• Develops regional operational goals that align with the library's Strategic Plan.
• Represents the Executive Director during meetings and public events when assigned.
• Directly supervises assigned staff.
• Approves employee schedules and leave requests.
• Ensures adequate staffing levels.
• Resolves employee conflicts and patron concerns.
• Promotes positive employee morale and teamwork.
• Coordinates onboarding and training for new employees.
• Identifies staff development needs and coordinates continuing education opportunities.

Library Operations

• Oversees day-to-day operations of assigned branches.
• Ensures excellent public service throughout assigned facilities.
• Monitors facility appearance, safety, and maintenance needs.
• Coordinates with county officials, vendors, and maintenance personnel.
• Reviews operational procedures for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensures compliance with library policies, county regulations, OSHA standards, and applicable state and federal laws.

Collection Development & Library Services

• Leads collection development for assigned branches using professional library selection principles.
• Evaluates circulation statistics, patron requests, community demographics, and usage trends to guide purchasing decisions.
• Selects, deselects, and maintains print and digital collections in accordance with the library's Collection Development Policy.
• Coordinates collection maintenance, weeding, and inventory projects.
• Monitors materials budgets and expenditures.
• Works collaboratively with other Regional Library Managers and the Executive Director to ensure balanced collections throughout the regional system.
• Evaluates emerging library services and recommends improvements to meet community needs.
• Ensures programming and library services support community interests and strategic goals.

Budget & Financial Oversight

• Assists in preparing annual operating budgets.
• Monitors expenditures for assigned facilities.
• Reviews purchasing requests and authorizes expenditures within established authority.
• Ensures compliance with procurement policies.
• Oversees cash handling procedures and financial accountability.
• Identifies grant opportunities and assists with grant applications and implementation when assigned.

Planning, Assessment & Reporting

• Collects, analyzes, and interprets library statistics.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Evaluates operational performance using established performance measures.
• Makes recommendations for improved services and operational efficiencies.
• Assists with accreditation requirements, State Library reporting, and long-range planning.
• Participates in strategic planning and implementation initiatives.

Community Engagement

• Develops relationships with community organizations, schools, local governments, Friends groups, and civic organizations.
• Represents the library at community meetings and public events.
• Identifies opportunities for partnerships that expand library services.
• Supports outreach initiatives throughout the assigned region.
• Serves as a professional ambassador for the Regional Library System.

Technology & Innovation

• Promotes the effective use of technology in library services.
• Assists with implementation of new technologies, software, and digital services.
• Encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
• Supports makerspace technologies, digital literacy initiatives, and emerging library technologies.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintains current knowledge of trends in librarianship and public library administration.
• Participates in professional organizations and continuing education.
• Attends conferences, workshops, and meetings as approved.
• Maintains appropriate professional certifications and credentials.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

Thorough knowledge of modern public library principles and practices.

Knowledge of collection development and readers' advisory.

Excellent leadership and organizational skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.

Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, elected officials, community partners, and the public.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Familiarity with the demographics and needs of rural communities is a plus.

Applicants must meet one of the following qualification pathways:

Pathway 1 – Professional Librarian

• Master's Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS or MLS) from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible public library experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.

OR

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory, management, or leadership experience in a public library, education, government, nonprofit, customer service, or other public-facing organization.
• Demonstrated success in personnel management, organizational leadership, project management, and customer service.
• Ability to develop professional competencies in public library administration.

Individuals hired under the Leadership Development pathway must agree, as a condition of employment, to:

• Apply and be accepted into admission to an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS or equivalent) program within thirty-six (36) months of beginning full-time employment.
• Successfully complete the MLIS degree within seventy-two (72) months of beginning full-time employment, unless an extension is approved by the Executive Director due to extenuating circumstances.

Additional Requirements

• Valid South Carolina driver's license and be willing to travel within the region for outreach activities.
• Ability to travel regularly between library locations throughout the regional library system.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as operational needs require.

Preferred

• Experience supervising multiple library facilities.
• Experience with public library budgeting.
• Experience in collection development.
• Experience with strategic planning.
• Grant writing or grant administration experience.
• Experience with integrated library systems (ILS), digital collections, and library technologies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Work is performed in a library setting with extensive public interaction.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel books, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.Work environments are climate controlled, dressing in layers is recommended.