Senior Librarian

City of San Rafael; San Rafael (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Job summary

The City of San Rafael seeks a full-time Senior Librarian in Branch Services to oversee library operations across Pickleweed and Northgate branches. Responsibilities include reference, readers advisory, collection development, program planning, outreach, and marketing.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, program development skills, and a commitment to serving a diverse community, with emphasis on bilingual capabilities in Spanish and English.

Qualifications

• MLS or equivalent in library science preferred.
• Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the coursework.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, Vietnamese, ASL, or other community languages is desired and may be required.
• At least four years of professional experience in a public library setting, including at least one year in a lead/supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a major unit within the library system, such as branch services.
• Supervise and train assigned staff; conduct evaluations and enforce policies.
• Direct collection development, programs, events, outreach, and marketing.
• Lead recruitment and training of staff, volunteers, and temporary staff.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate library programs, volunteers, and services.
• Support marketing strategies and coordinate library-wide activities.

Skills

Spanish language

Public library leadership

Education

Master's degree in library science

Job description

SENIOR LIBRARIAN

$8,720 - $10,599 Monthly

Plus excellent benefits!

THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members’ quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture. San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment. San Rafael, with a population of approximately 60,000, is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and a fiscal year 2025-2026 annual budget of approximately $193 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment.

San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Library and Recreation Department is comprised of two divisions, Library and Recreation & Childcare, that are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of San Rafael residents.

The Library Division operates with a $5.4 million dollar budget and 22 full-time employees in fiscal year 2026/2027. The San Rafael Public Library consists of three branches, Downtown, Pickleweed, and Northgate, and is part of the MARINet consortium. Exciting projects include a $2 million dollar renovation of the Pickleweed branch. Additionally, the City is planning a new, joint Library and Community Center at Albert Park while also focusing on operational improvements and championing innovative library programs and services.

THE POSITION

The Library is seeking a full-time Senior Librarian in Branch Services. This position is responsible for a full-range of complex librarian duties including classification; cataloging; reference; readers advisory; collection development; program planning, development, and evaluation; outreach and marketing; and service to specialized populations including youth, adults, and/or non-English speaking individuals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to - view the full job spec HERE)

• Oversee a major unit within the library system, such as branch services.
• Supervise and train assigned subordinate staff; assign, schedule and review staff work, and write performance evaluations for professional and paraprofessional staff; instruct employees in new or existing policies, procedures, and regulations; conduct on-the-job training.
• Provide direction, training, and support to staff in one or more of the following areas: collection development, programs and services, events, outreach, and marketing.
• Lead the recruitment and training of professional and paraprofessional staff, volunteers, and various temporary staff classifications.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate library programs, events, volunteers and services.
• Support and provide content for the development of marketing strategies.
• Assist with the administration and organization of core library services, planning, organizing, and coordinating library-wide activities.
• Enforce library guidelines and policies to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all library visitors.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Branch Services Senior Librarian is an experienced public library professional and collaborative leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional library services and fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment for all community members. As the Senior Librarian who will be overseeing the Pickleweed and Northgate libraries, they are skilled at assessing community needs and developing innovative services, collections, and programs that support lifelong learning and reflect the diverse interests of the population they serve. The ideal candidate is bilingual in Spanish and English and is committed to building strong relationships with the diverse communities served by both library branches.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to education and experience that would most likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to a master's degree in library science, library and information services, or similar curriculum, issued by a college or university accredited by the American Library Association is preferred.
• Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, Vietnamese, ASL, or other community languages is desired, and may be required for some assignments, AND
• At least four years of professional experience in a public library setting, including at least one year in a lead/supervisory role.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record is desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.