Librarian II, Collection Development

Position Description

Join a library system engaged in community-driven services to deliver an innovative and exciting future to residents of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Tacoma Public Library (TPL), serves over 200,000 residents in Tacoma.
We are seeking an experienced collection development librarian who:

• Are strongly committed to listening to our community in order to deliver valued, needed and highly used library materials services;
• Are committed to working to support and deliver high quality, innovative, customer-focused services;
• Are passionate about racial equity and social justice;
• Have demonstrated success in building collaborative, high performing teams and operations in partnerships across departments;
• Have a vision and understanding of collection development with an eye to both current and future needs;
• Committed to excellent service for internal and external customers;
• Excellent communicator and supervisor with a proven ability to lead, develop and support staff;
• Are results-oriented and committed to collaboration.

If you believe that the library can empower the community by bringing people together to discover, connect, create, learn, and thrive, your next leadership position may be at TPL!

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Collection & Technical Services Manager, the Collection Development Librarian II supervises all aspects of collection development and oversees the collection development team.

Responsibilities include implementing and maintaining the library’s physical and digital collections, supporting strategic planning, and maintaining the collections budget.

Supervisory Relationships:
Reports to the Collection & Technical Services Manager; supervises assigned personnel.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of collection development team. Hires, trains, evaluates, and mentors staff
• Selects materials (physical and/or electronic) for areas of assignment in accordance with TPL policy; assess and respond to patron purchase requests
• Works with IT staff and vendors to select, monitor, and/or maintain collection development-related modules and tools in the integrated library system (ILS)
• Manages materials budget with guidance from CTS Manager
• Develops and implements standards and procedures for collection development systemwide
• Represents collection development on the Web Team as well as Adult and Youth Services
• Schedules regular branch visits with Neighborhood Services Mangagers.
• Conducts, reviews, and evaluates reports regarding collection health. Analyzes and tracks collection use; advises on the development of policies and procedures; advises branches on collection management issues
• Monitors local and national collection development trends and adapts local procedures appropriately with an eye towards trends related to equity and inclusion
• Commits to keeping current in the best practices of the profession by taking advantage of training and development activities, by reading professional literature, and by participating in professional activities
• Represents library at local and national conferences as assigned
• Performs other related and comparable duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Master of Library Science (MLS) or a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from an accredited library school and/or Washington State certification as a Librarian
  
• Two (2) years' experience working as a librarian, preferably in public services positions
  
• Bilingual skills desirable
  
• Supervisory experience desirable

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
A Washington State Librarian's Certification is required within 60 days of hire. Depending on assignment, a valid Washington State Driver License, or proof of equivalent mobility, may be required upon appointment, with maintenance thereafter
Appointment may be subject to passing a background check

Knowledge & Skills

• Centralized acquisitions experience
• Proficiency with library catalog and experience with online ordering tools
• Collection Development expertise in one or more of the following areas - adult, youth, or world languages
• Expertise and understanding of collection development principles and best practices across formats
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and streamline work processes
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all library units to improve service delivery to the public
• General knowledge or technical services
• Demonstrated experience with effective planning, document writing, project management, and implementation of library policies and processes
• Ability to identify, plan, and prioritize job responsibilities and tasks and determine and implement project timelines
• Ability to recognize and set priorities and to use initiative and independent decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively
• Ability to execute library policy

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the Tacoma Public Library and Local 120.

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.

Communication from the City of Tacoma
NOTE : For questions regarding this specific recruitment contact Kat Flores, HR Analyst.
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must 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.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NeoGov application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow time to assist you before the job announcement closes. ( For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system , call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00am and 5:00pm Pacific Time.)

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: 3/28/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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