Supervising Librarian - Support Services

Anaheim Public Library; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto City Library is seeking a skilled Supervising Librarian for its Community Engagement & Support Services division. The role includes overseeing acquisitions, collections, and technical services across the five-branch system, staff supervision, and community outreach.

The ideal candidate will have acquisitions, collection development, cataloging, and supervisory experience, with strong knowledge of library technology and databases. Applications close Nov 6, 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in acquisitions, collection development, cataloging and supervision.
• Strong knowledge of library systems and databases.
• Ability to lead and develop staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operation of one or more branch libraries.
• Oversee customer service and respond to needs of library users.
• Supervise, train and evaluate library staff.
• Represent library in committees and professional groups.
• Develop plans, budgets, procedures and evaluate performance.
• Coordinate staff schedules for adequate coverage.
• Promote public relations and staff training.
• Supervise meeting room bookings.
• Maintain knowledge of library applications and systems.
• Communicate status of programs and plans to staff.
• Develop written procedures and policies.
• Maintain records and reports of activities.
• Plan activities to engage community and gather needs.

Skills

Acquisitions

Collection development

Cataloging

Staff supervision

Tools

Integrated Library System

Interlibrary Loan

Online reference databases

Job description

The Palo Alto City Library is looking for a skilled, experienced, and passionate professional to serve as Supervising Librarian in our Community Engagement & Support Services division. This position will supervise the daily operations in Collections and Acquisitions, including managing staff; overseeing all collections and technical services operations across our five branch system. Self-directed, highly analytical, process-minded and innovative library professionals are encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented library professional with acquisitions, collection development, cataloging and supervisory experience.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage day-to-day operation of one or more branch libraries.
• Assess and respond to customer needs: oversee and evaluate the provision of service in the program or operational area.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Supervise, train and evaluate subordinate library staff in on-going program/facility operation.
• Represent library in cooperative library system committees and/or user groups, task forces and professional associations.
• Develop overall plans and priorities, prepares budget requests, develops procedures and evaluates performance.
• Coordinate staff schedules to provide adequate coverage.
• Demonstrate positive public relations with others and trains staff to do the same.
• Supervise meeting room bookings.
• Must have knowledge of computer technology and specific library applications integrated library system, interlibrary loan module, and online reference databases.
• Communicate with all library staff regarding status of program plans.
• Develop written procedures and policies in area of responsibility.
• Ensure that appropriate statistical records and reports of activities are prepared, maintained, and distributed.
• Participate in formulation and implementation of library goals and objectives.
• Plan and participate in activities to promote community contacts, including making presentations, organizing book sales or other fundraising activities, conducting needs assessments and responding to community requests for service.
• Must have ability to connect positively with library and community constituencies including the local governing authorities, community leaders and organizations, library staff, library patrons and the general public.
• Must foster the development of a cooperative work environment.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by Nov 6, 2026, 11:59PM PST.