Deputy Director of Libraries

An Overview
The Alexandria Library is seeks an experienced and successful collaborator to provide outstanding, innovative services that will enrich the lives of community members, continue the Library's successes and further enhance the Library's stellar reputation.

The Deputy Director of Libraries works closely with the Library Director in administering the operations of the Central Library and all branch libraries, in improving operating systems, and in planning for the future needs of the City for library service. The incumbent in this position assists the Director in the production and implementation of long-range plans for the Alexandria Library Board's review and approval in such areas as staff development, automation, economy of materials and staffing, publicity, and collection development. Work is performed in accordance with professional standards and established policies and procedures within the Library Department and the City government, with a minimum of direction or supervision. Supervision is exercised over professional and paraprofessional personnel, and work is reviewed through performance conferences, reports and results achieved.

The Opportunity

• Conferring with and advising division heads on policies and problems related to the administration of library services;
• Directing the supervisors of branch libraries in the performance of their duties;
• Instructing supervisory personnel in regulations and procedures, and conducting staff conferences and meetings;
• Directing the Library system in the absence of the Director;
• Studying methods and assisting in drafting plans to develop all services of the library system to effectively meet more the present and future community needs;
• Planning for the career growth and development of the sub-professional and professional staffs, and ensuring that training and development assignments are carried out;
• Investigating new library operational and control techniques and procedures, and revising present methods to improve operating efficiency;
• Conferring with officials, citizens, clubs and other community organizations explaining the library system objectives, policies and services;
• Participating in community activities and presenting lectures and talks about the library services;
• Assisting in the preparation and execution of the budget;
• Preparing grant applications and supervising grant programs;
• Completing special assignments from the Director and the Alexandria Library Board;
• Obtaining and reviewing competitive bids for services and recommending selections;
• Performing related work as required.

The Ideal Candidate
To qualify for this position, all candidates must possess a Master's degree in library science augmented by courses equivalent to a minor in business or library administration; Extensive responsible experience in professional library work, including supervisory experience at the level of Librarian III/Branch Manager (or equivalent). Must be licensed to practice as a registered professional librarian issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or the ability to obtain one in 3 months.

About the Department
We offer you access to the world of electronic information, not just of our records of holdings and availability, but we offer access to full text articles from thousands of magazines and newspapers through our online databases. You can search genealogy records with HeritageQuest and even borrow e-books and e-audio books on OverDrive. Free public access to the Internet is available at all branches as well as free WiFi access for properly equipped laptops and PDA's.
Although we have done much with our virtual library, we have not forgotten our buildings. During the past decade, the City Council and the Alexandria Library Board have renovated and expanded the Barrett Branch on Queen Street, built the exciting Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library on Duke and Pickett Streets (designed by world renowned architect, Michael Graves and the local architectural firm of Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville), and redesigned and reopened the Burke Branch on Seminary Road. In September 2005, the completely renovated and expanded Duncan Branch on Commonwealth Avenue was dedicated.

Whether through renovation or innovation, it is a most exciting time for the Alexandria Library. We are rising to the challenge of balancing the traditional user and the nontraditional user. We remain committed to having books and the types of programming that people have come into libraries to use for years, while we are committed as well to those users who are very tech savvy, who primarily want to use the Library through our website. Our resources allow us to provide excellent customer service for those people who are coming into the libraries and to extend our services for those people who are accessing us online.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to a criminal background.