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Head of Library Advisory & Development

Board of Library Commissioners

Boston, MA

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Alliance/Partner Management, Budget Management, Budgeting, Consulting, Contract Creation, Disaster Recovery, Disciplinary Action, Driver's License, English Language, Establish Priorities, Federal Government, Federal Grants, Federal Laws and Regulations, Grant Administration/Management, Grant Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Library and Information Science, Maintain Compliance, Multitasking, Needs Assessment, Operations Guidelines, Operations Management, Operations Processes, People Management, Performance Analysis, Performance Reviews, Policy Development, Policy Implementation, Procedure Development, Project/Program Management, Public Administration, Public Library, Purchasing/Procurement, Regulations, Reporting Skills, Resource Utilization, Special Needs, Staff Policies, Staff Training, State Laws and Regulations, State Library, Statistics, Time Management, Training/Teaching, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Boston, MA
POSTED
3 days ago
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises and directs the work of the agency's Library Advisory and Development Unit staff and programs.

Responsible for oversight of the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) program, including budget creation and oversight; creating and monitoring procedures for reporting and managing grants; and developing new programs. Coordinates activities of the State Advisory Council on Libraries.

Provides advisory services to public library directors, trustees, and Friends of the Library groups, guides the provision of services to special populations, and guides the provision of preservation and disaster recovery services to libraries.

Serves as a member of the agency management team and supports/implements agency policies with unit staff.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Develops the agency's federal LSTA long-range plan, prepares budget and programming requests for the LSTA program, and determines spending priorities from requests by reporting staff. Presents these requests to the Director, State Advisory Council on Libraries, and the Board of Library Commissioners for approval.
  2. Coordinates activities of the State Advisory Council on Libraries including, but not limited to, ensuring the Council has a full roster, setting meeting dates and agendas, and ensuring that the Council has statewide multitype representation.
  3. Assists the Project Manager/Grants Specialist with all federally required reporting, and coordination of federal staff site visits. Periodically works with Business Office staff and other states' library agencies on selection of LSTA grant evaluation consultant(s).
  4. Works with the Business Office and other states' library agencies on selection of LSTA five-year plan consultants. Takes an active role in creation of the five-year plan. Monitors all LSTA activities to ensure compliance with the plan, federal law, and guidance documents from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
  5. Works closely with the Business Office staff to develop contracts for grants and programs, Requests for Responses (RFRs), Requests for Responses (RFRs), and other similar procurement vehicles.
  6. Speaks publicly to state, municipal, and library officials about agency programs and policies; prepares reports; and maintains collegial relationships with representatives of other state agencies and organizations.
  7. Prepares a monthly written report on unit activities for the Director and Board of Library Commissioners.
  8. Works closely with the Communications Director to promote unit programs.

9. Develops and implements policies and priorities consistent with policies established by the Director and the Board of Library Commissioners and determines the most effective utilization of resources to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of unit operations.

10. Directs and coordinates a comprehensive program for trustees, Friends of Libraries, and library foundations that provides information and workshops to assist in meeting their organizational and civic needs.

11. Recommends training and collaboration priorities by evaluating the information needs of public librarians, the ability of the unit to meet those needs, and the availability of human, fiscal, and equipment resources needed to effectively prioritize and facilitate services.

12. Evaluates the effectiveness of existing statutes and regulations as they relate to agency programs by reviewing written reports, agency statistical data, and legislative proposals, to determine what improvements are needed.

13. Contributes annual updates to the agency's Internal Control Plan, and ensures procedures and methods are documented and followed by all unit employees.

14. Performs personnel functions for the Library Advisory and Development Unit in accordance with Commonwealth and agency policies by interviewing, selecting, and providing training for new staff, evaluating performances of direct reporting staff, resolving employee grievances, determining the need for and initiating disciplinary action in order to ensure adequate and competent staffing, and conducting performance evaluations of direct reporting staff.

15. Performs other Library Advisory & Development and agency duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE (List knowledges, skills, abilities)

1. Knowledge of:

• The theory, principles, and practices of library & information science.

• Municipal library structure in Massachusetts, especially regarding the relationships between libraries, their boards of trustees, and their municipalities.

• The concepts of public library planning and resource sharing.

• Basic functions of library consortia and MBLC's affiliated organizations

• Principles, practices, and techniques of supervision of professional employees in a hybrid work environment.

• Budgeting as it relates to program management.

2. Exceptional proficiency in written and spoken English language including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation. Active, empathetic listener.

3. Ability to understand, apply, and interpret the provisions of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines governing agency operations, agency programs, state agencies, and state library agencies.

4. Ability to delegate work and resolve interpersonal conflicts effectively.

5. Strong ability and willingness to work collaboratively with library-related groups and establish liaisons and partnerships with other organizations outside of libraries.

6. Skill at leading instructional sessions for adults, both in-person and virtually.

7. Ability to organize and set priorities for managing multiple projects with competing deadlines and varying levels of time pressure.

8. Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet changing requirements.

9. Willingness and ability to work occasional irregular hours (i.e., weekends, holidays, evenings).

10. Willingness and ability to travel in state and occasionally out of state for job-related purposes.

QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB (List knowledges, skills, abilities)

Knowledge of:

1. The policies of the Board of Library Commissioners, especially related to federal grants administration.

2. Laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and operating procedures governing the Library Advisory and Development Unit and Board of Library Commissioners.

3. The requirements and intricacies of the LSTA program.

4. The requirements for the administration of federal and state grant programs on the state, city, and town level.

5. The principles underlying procurement at the state level.

State statutes, regulations, and laws relating to libraries.

The goals of the MBLC are to:

• maintain and strengthen the Commonwealth's free public libraries,

• provide statewide and regional programs for the improvement of library services provided by libraries of all types,

• support resource sharing, online access, and the utilization of technology by libraries, and

• provide specialized library services to blind and physically handicapped residents.

Qualifications:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIRMENTS

Applicant must have at least:

a) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in library administration

b) of which at least three years must have been in a managerial or supervisory capacity; or

c) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below:

I. A Master's degree with a major in Library Science may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (a) experience. *

II. A completed Doctorate or course work completed and a dissertation in progress with a major in library science, public administration, or a related discipline may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (a) experience.

*Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of two years of the required (a) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (b) experience.

10. Preferred Qualifications

At least five years of successful management of professional employees. American Library Association-accredited MLS or MLIS; knowledge of contemporary library service; experience with grant writing and administration, library planning, and library management. Flexible, future-focused leader who can support and motivate others while keeping an eye on details and deadlines.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRMENTS

Requires a valid driver's license and access to a motor vehicle for work-related travel.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

About the Company

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Board of Library Commissioners

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