Library Neighborhood Services Manager

Position Description

We are looking for a compassionate, courageous, and creative leader to manage a region of libraries in the Tacoma Public Library system. In addition to managing library staff, you will plan, organize, and implement library programs, services, and initiatives in order to meet community needs. The ideal candidate has demonstrated success practicing and leading others in understanding racial equity and social justice, teaching concepts, facilitating discussions, co-creating programs, and implementing work practices.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee library services at assigned branches ensuring all communities have access to high-quality library resources, services, and programs, with an emphasis on radically welcoming patron service
• Lead assigned staff with your mind and heart so that employees feel valued and are able to bring their best selves to work every day; show care and respect; be consistent, fair and equitable; inspire; give autonomy and trust; bring joy; and communicate effectively
• Center racial equity in programs, services and decisions
• Foster a workplace culture that understands, values and practices racial equity
• Conduct outreach and develop partnerships with community organizations and a diverse range of library users
• Contribute to the development and implementation of work plans based on Tacoma Public Library’s Strategic Plan
• Assign work to staff and ensure employees are focused on achieving desired outcomes; measures goal progress, outcomes, and impacts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Library or Information Science, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration or related field, Master’s degree preferred
• Three years of related experience including one year in a leadership role
• Experience developing, planning, and presenting activities, programs and outreach to children, teens and/or adults
• Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends in urban public libraries

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Frequent travel to library branches and community organizations within the Puget Sound region, a valid Washington State Driver's License or equivalent mobility is required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies or Master’s in Library Science and Washington State Librarian's Certification. Fluency in more than one language.

Knowledge & Skills

• Broad, general knowledge of materials, authors, and resources in a variety of subject areas
• Strong commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage
• Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs that meet community needs
• Use data and information in a clear and rational process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form conclusions, and make sound decisions
• Maintains a working knowledge of trends in librarianship, through webinars, internal training, meetings, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships
• Creates and sustains an organizational culture that encourages others to provide high quality service and high performance
• Open to change and new information, adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, unexpected obstacles, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear
• Builds partnerships with local organizations to meet the needs of community users
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking, and presentation skills
• Successfully demonstrates ability to work as part of a team
• Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to balance multiple projects or priorities simultaneously
• Strong computer and technology skills, including an integrated library system (ILS), MS Office suite, cloud applications, PCs, Macs and mobile devices
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer services including online searching, social media, reference resources and databases

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Tacoma Public Library Stands Against Racism and White Supremacy
Tacoma Public Library is opposed to white supremacy in all of its forms and is committed to fostering an organization that is actively anti-racist. We believe that Black Lives Matter. We are grieving with our black community and all communities of color who continue to be harmed by institutionalized racism. We are committed to being a trusted community resource available to all and will provide resources and public programs that seek to reflect the values of anti-racism and elevate the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Tacoma Public Library
Tacoma Public Library (TPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for more than 125 years. TPL's neighborhood libraries originated with Andrew Carnegie's visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century and are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service--and vital community hubs--that continue to provide far more than free books and materials. Learn more about the Tacoma Public Library and the services we provide at www.tacomalibrary.org and connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn to stay up to date on exciting things happening at the library, and to be notified of other career opportunities with us.

Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach resume and cover letter.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental questionnaire scored, and those with passing scores will be ranked on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. Appointment is subject to passing a background check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the Tacoma Public Library and Local 117.

Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $49.37 - $60.23
Annual Salary: $102,689.60 - $125,278.40

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Insurance Plans: You may participate in one of several group health insurance programs. Employees and their dependents are covered by a medical-surgical-hospital plan, vision plan, dental plan, and employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance and Deferred Compensation options are also available.
Employees are covered by the State Industrial Insurance Act.

Paid leave: Library Employees are entitled to receive paid holidays, and Personal Time Off (PTO).

Retirement: All employees of the Library except part-time Pages, temporary employees, and certain project employees, are included in the City of Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacorna.org or by calling (253) 502-8200. All members of the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System are also covered by Social Security.

The Tacoma Public Library is not a department of the City of Tacoma and the Library's employees are not employees of the City. The Library is a separate entity with its own governing body. The Library's governing body is the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees.

Employees of the City of Tacoma who accept employment with the Tacoma Public Library will lose their City of Tacoma employee seniority. They will also find that their leave accruals, and some of the benefits enjoyed as employees of the City of Tacoma do not carry over when they are hired for a position with the Tacoma Public Library.

Closing Date/Time: 2/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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