Library Services Manager

Description

LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGER

Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a Library Services Manager, Lakewood Branch Library, at the Sunnyvale Public Library. Under general direction of the Deputy Director of Library Services, the Library Services Manager develops, implements, and evaluates public services at the Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center with a focus on community engagement, access, equity and innovation. They provide strong leadership for adults, children, technology, and outreach to deliver services, programs and resources in response to community needs. They manage a multifaceted team of full- and part-time librarians and support staff.

The Library Services Manager is a coach, mentor, and guide with proven skills in leading people and managing programs and budgets. They will be a highly collaborative, motivated and customer-focused individual with excellent communication skills. The ideal candidate will want to be part of a dynamic leadership team, a risk-taker, solve problems with a growth mindset, and promote new initiatives in Sunnyvale’s first-ever branch library facility. They will have experience in at least one or more major public library functional areas and the ability to apply their skills across all ages, community and operational needs. Previous experience demonstrating successful collaboration with school and community partners, and bilingual skills are valued.

The Library Services Manager position is in the Library division of the Department of Library and Recreation Services (LRS). LRS encourages the growth and development of a strong community by providing life-long learning opportunities, safe and welcoming spaces for community engagement, and life skills support for people of all ages and abilities. This position works occasionally on nights and weekends in support of library programs and services.

Additionally, the City of Sunnyvale offers:

• City paid 2% contribution to a deferred compensation plan
• Classic CalPERS members have 4% of the employee contributions paid by the City, leaving only 3% for the employee to contribute.
• Comprehensive City paid medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Excellent Retiree Medical Benefits

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of an assigned library division within the Library and Recreation Services Department, including adult services, branch services, children and teen services, and/or technical services; participates in the development of policies and strategies for division operations; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to Deputy Director of Library Services in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Library Services. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS?
This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating library services within the Library and Recreation Services Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs, budget administration and reporting, program evaluation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):?

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of an assigned Library Division .
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of the division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Deputy Director of Library Services.
• Selects , trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; collaborates with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Performs project management responsibilities; develops logical and efficient project plans; establishes priorities; monitors and manages task completion; anticipates and avoids problems; works collaboratively and cooperatively with team members and user groups to ensure project accountability.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Collaborates with library support groups, community-based organizations, vendors, the public, and other stakeholders to implement services, programs, collection development, marketing, and outreach based on Library, City, and Council priorities.
• Researches, evaluates, writes, and directs the implementation of grants including budget development and monitoring, reporting, ensuring grant requirements are met, and interacting with grant monitors.
• Manages library technology projects including replacement and installation of equipment; coordinates communication between City information technology staff and other impacted City departments and vendors.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Deputy Director of Library Services; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Possesses a clear understanding of the City Council Work Plan and how the division contributes to the plan’s success.
• Reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of contemporary trends and innovations in the field of public library services.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• De-escalates patron situations, answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:
This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
There are occasional special events outside of the Library. When assigned to assist with the special events, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces.
Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Environmental Conditions:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff, public safety officers, and/or the public in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A master's degree from an American Library Association accredited college or university in library and information science or similar field; AND

Four (4) years of professional public library experience, including prior experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles and practices of modern public library organization, materials, operations, and services.
• Automation commonly used in library operations.
• Collection development practices.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and on-going developments related to the operations of the assigned department.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective manner.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the assigned library division.
• Prepare and administer complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Analyze, evaluate, and appropriately select specialized and advanced level library materials as well as popular level materials.?
• Research and find answers to advanced level and general reference questions.?
• Keep abreast of current professional issues and developments.?
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Supervise the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

Application and Selection Process

APPLICATION PROCESS
The application period closes on Tuesday December 30 , 2025, at 5:00pm (postmarks or faxes are not accepted). Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at https://sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on 'City Jobs'. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Thursday, January 15 , 2025 . (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of January 26, 2025 .

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.

Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 12/30/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Sunnyvale

• 408-730-3017

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