Principal Librarian

Principal Librarian

Salary

$98,592.00 - $119,849.60 Annually

Location

City of Anaheim, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-00234

Department

Community Services

Opening Date

10/29/2026

Closing Date

11/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The Anaheim Public Library is seeking an experienced and dynamic Principal Librarian to lead and coordinate specialized, complex, and advanced professional Mobile Library services including a Bookmobile and a STEAM Van. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing daily operations and delivering high-quality services across the Anaheim Community and local school Districts.

The Principal Librarian will supervise and support a team of professional and paraprofessional public service staff, ensuring excellent customer service, efficient workflows, and innovative programming. This position plays a critical role in fostering community engagement, promoting literacy, and supporting Library's mission through collaboration.

Qualified candidates must possess a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Master of Library Science (MLS), or Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree from an accredited college or university. A minimum of four (4) years of experience as a professional librarian, including qualifications and experience in a specialized subject area, or experience equivalent to two (2) years as a Senior Librarian.

Applicants must be available to work evenings and weekends.

About Anaheim Public Library...

The Anaheim Public Library was recognized as the 2022 Library of the Year by Gale and Library Journal. There are ten Library outlets serving the City of Anaheim and surrounding communities. This includes Central Library, six branch libraries, the self-service branch at ARTIC Transportation Center, the Anaheim Heritage Center which houses our local history collections, the Mobile Library that serves the Community Development Block Grant neighborhoods in the city, and STEAM Adventures: Explorations on Wheels which serves the science technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) needs of the Anaheim community.

Essential Functions

Below are the main duties of a Principal Librarian. You can review the full job description by clicking on this link.

• Oversees a branch or major function of the Central Library Services such as Mobile Services, children's services, and/or adult services, including system-wide reference services technology, and/or system-wide collection development of print and non-print materials.
• Develops and implements a branch, Mobile Services or work unit service plan.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates services and programs in a designated area such as branches, children's services, adult services, literacy, outreach services, and special populations; coordinates joint projects with other Community Services Divisions and City Departments.
• Resolves patron issues that have escalated to a second and third level (i.e., issues that were not resolved by a Librarian or Senior Librarian).
• Oversees the collection development activities for one or more collection areas for the Division including materials selection and weeding, and donated materials.
• Reviews, examines, selects, develops, maintains, promotes, and deselects materials in a variety of media formats to build a marketable Branch and/or Mobile Services collection that serves the needs and requests of a diverse community.
• Responds to the most complex suggestions, requests, or concerns from library users and community members.
• Creates volunteer and internship opportunities with the goal of involving students, adults with disabilities, and retired members of the community.
• Provides leadership and serves as a subject matter expert in a designated area of specialized expertise and education.
• Leads meetings, committees, or projects intended to enhance services or promote consistent policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Experience and Training: Equivalent to a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Master of Library Science (MLS), or Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree from an accredited college or university, and four (4) years of experience as a professional librarian, including qualifications and experience in a specialized subject area, or experience equivalent to two (2) years as a Senior Librarian.

Knowledge of: Sound budgetary practices and development, monitoring, and implementation of a work unit budget; core library operating principles, including confidentiality of customer information, freedom of information, and intellectual freedom; principles of supervision and training, including work planning, assignment, performance review, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures; principles, practices, procedures, techniques, and materials of professional library work, including library reference, collection development, and other professional library services; principles, techniques, and procedures in cataloging, indexing, classifying, and organizing library materials; principles and techniques used in bibliographic research; general library materials selection standards; techniques for promoting and publicizing library services, programs, and events; recent technological, professional, and societal developments, current literature, and sources of information related to library services; applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility; record keeping principles and procedures; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and the public; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to: Supervise and direct the work of program unit staff; perform professional library tasks, including reference, readers' advisory, program and service development, collection development, and cataloging; use computer and other technology, including software, hardware, and the Internet to be able to assist customers, conduct research, prepare reports, and use email and other communications technologies; react tactfully and diplomatically during interactions with staff, the public, community groups, etc. while appropriately adhering to and enforcing sound library policies, procedures, and practices; maintain a strong service orientation and a demonstrated dedication to quality customer service; research, analyze, and summarize data and prepare accurate and logical written reports; plan and conduct the activities and operations of a specialized library function; research and write grant applications; identify and take appropriate action when unusual operating problems occur; establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines; use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines necessary to make responsible decisions as Librarian-In-Charge or in the absence of the department manager; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Environmental Conditions: Employees typically work in an open, public area of a library building. The environment has moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Physical Conditions: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to visit various Library and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing 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 frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to retrieve and shelve materials. Incumbents must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items, storage containers, and shelving units weighing an average of 20 pounds, and up to 50 pounds of weight, in order to move materials from one place to another, with the aid of lifting/moving equipment.

Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION

Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 20, 2026, at 5:00PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

The selection process may include, but is not limited to, a skills assessment and oral interview.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional vacancies throughout the City.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a reference / background check (to include a conviction record) and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening). The City of Anaheim utilizes E-Verify and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Anaheim offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

To view the current benefits summary, visit: https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/30970/Benefits-Summary-Full-Time

For additional information about the Citys benefits, visit: www.myanaheimbenefits.com

RETIREMENT BENEFITS - The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

Note: Pension contribution limitations are set by CalPERS each calendar year, with compensation limit requirements for Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) members and Classic members. Employee contributions will be deposited into a 401(a) account after reaching this limit. Employees with CalPERS membership dates prior to July 1, 1996 are not impacted by these limits.

To view the current limits and additional CalPERS information, visit:

https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/4783/CalPERS-Rates

01

The following Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination for this position and will be used to evaluate your qualifications. Based upon the application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the best qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the recruitment process. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response, detailing your education and work experience. Failure to fully detail all experience or stating experience in response to the supplemental questions but not listing the experience in the application, copy/pasting information, or responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in your application not being considered. You will not have an opportunity to provide additional information if your application is not selected to proceed in the recruitment process, so you should be sure to detail all relevant education and work experience within your application and supplemental questionnaire. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a Master of Library Science Degree?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have advanced, journey-level experience as a professional librarian, including demonstrated qualifications in supervision and in planning and delivering public library services?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please describe your experience in supervising and training professional staff. Include the number of individuals you supervised, their job titles, and specific examples of how you supported their growth and professional development. If you do not have experience in this area, please indicate N/A.

05

Have you managed the daily operations of a section of a public library, including responsibilities such as scheduling, outreach, budgeting, partnerships, grant management, and project coordination?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please describe the responsibilities you held. Include the size and scope of your role in each area, such as scheduling outreach, budgeting, partnerships, grants, and project management. If you do not have experience in this area, please type "N/A".

07

Please describe your experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating services and programs for children, teen and adult services. If you do not have experience in this area, please type "N/A".

Required Question

Employer City of Anaheim

Address 201 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 501

Anaheim, California, 92805

Phone 714-765-5111

Website http://www.anaheim.net/jobs