Description:

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

LIBRARY DIVISION CHIEF

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

CENTRAL LIBRARY SERVICES

Number of Positions: 1

Starting Salary: $94,500

For nearly 150 years, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has been at the heart of our city. A place of wonder, exploration and community, CPL welcomes more than 9 million people every year. Our national and international leadership in the library field stems from our deep commitment to supporting and serving patrons as they learn, play, develop skills and strengthen their communities. Each of our communities is anchored by a library that is truly welcoming to all, inviting us not only to read, but to find resources, to discuss issues that matter to our communities, to experiment with new technologies, and to participate in events and programs that enable us to learn and grow. Each person’s future is greatly influenced by the quality of resources in their community, and their access to opportunity. We are working hard to create a city that respects the experiences of all Chicagoans, removes unnecessary barriers, and paves the way for everyone to have access and the opportunity to achieve their goals. Chicago Public Library plays an essential role in ensuring that every Chicagoan has the resources to learn, enjoy and contribute to the success of our great city.

Duties: Reporting to the Central Library Director, this position functions at the managerial level and provides overall direction for library services, programs, and operations within Division 1 Harold Washington Library Center. Division 1 is comprised of 3 departments (74 staff members, including 3 direct reports), comprised of multiple service points and collection subjects, within public facing departments. Currently Division 1 is comprised of the following departments and service points: BSTG: Business, Science, Technology, and Government Documents, NIA: Newspapers and Periodicals, Interlibrary Loan and the Assistive Resources and Talking Books Center, Youth Department at HWLC: YOUMEDIA (Teens), Thomas Hughes Children’s Library (Children), Circulation Department: Circulation Lobby Desk, Automated Materials Handler.

The successful candidates will inspire staff to provide excellent customer service to patrons, work effectively with others, possess superior communication skills, and be able to make connections with colleagues, peers, and other City departments. This person will work within the Central Administration Team, composed of the Central Library Director, Division 2 Chief, Circulation Manager, Staff Assistant, and Administrative Assistant II. This team will continue to collaborate to explore the role of the Central Life, promote programming within HWLC, reimagine space, providing outreach to the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as provide support and alignment with the 80 Regional and Branch libraries. This candidate will also work closely with the Central Library Director to provide support with streamlining operations within HWLC.

This position evaluates professional and paraprofessional staff engaged in developing and administering division programs and services, providing reference assistance to patrons, and developing the division's collection of books and materials. Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of division services and implements modifications to improve operations. Oversees the development of new programs to meet the needs of library patrons. Participates in long range planning and in the development and interpretation of library policies and procedures. Prepares the division's annual operations and personnel budgets and monitors expenditures ensuring fiscal responsibility. Oversees personnel administration activities for division staff. Assesses training needs, coordinates staff development programs and mentors staff through in-service training, seminars, and conferences. Identifies alternative funding sources (e.g., grants) to fund division programs. Analyzes reports on patron usage of programs and services and uses findings to plan programs and allocate resources. Creates and/or works with public information campaigns to increase awareness and utilization of library's collections and programs. Establishes and maintains partnerships with city agencies and local organizations (e.g., civic, and cultural institutions, schools) to promote library, use and programs. May oversee the circulation of materials and establish policies for the lending of special collections. May participate in the development of service contracts for vendors supplying division books and materials.

LOCATION: 400 S. State St. Central Library Services

DAYS OFF: Saturday & Sunday

SHIFT: Monday- Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

HOURS: 35 hours a week

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited American Library Association college or university with a Master's degree in Library Science or an approved foreign credential evaluation plus five years of professional library experience of which three years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to a candidate who possesses some knowledge of Government and Municipal Documents.

Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.

Education & Employment Verification- Please be advised that if you are selected to be hired you must provide, upon request, adequate information regarding your educational and employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position for which you are applying. If you received your degree internationally, all international transcripts/diploma must be accompanied by a Foreign Credential Evaluation. If the City of Chicago cannot verify this information, any offer extended to you will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.

NOTE: To be considered for this position you must provide information about your educational background and your work experience. You must include job titles, dates of employment, and specific job duties. (If you are a current City employee, Acting Up cannot be considered.) If you fail to provide this information at the time you submit your application, it will be incomplete and you will not be considered for this position. There are three ways to provide the information: 1) you may attach a resume; 2) you may paste a resume; or 3) you can complete the online resume fields.

NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma, professional license, or training certificates at time of processing, if applicable.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise and/or a skills assessment test as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.

Evaluation: Your initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application form and documents submitted with the application. Applications must be submitted by the individual applicant. No second party applicants will be accepted.

Residency Requirement: All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy in order to participate in the application process, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources, at 312-744-4976 (voice) or 312-744-5035 (TTY). Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ANY AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Please note, all positions with the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59pm. Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm on June 13, 2024. No exceptions will be made.

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm on 6/13/2024.