Job
Opportunities
Washington Talking Book
Library Seeks Director
Seattle Public
Library - Current Job Openings
Invitation to
Compete #60
Classification
Title: Director
Pay Range: $67,933
- $101,920
Hours:
Full-Time
Department:
Washington Talking Book & Braille
Library
Application
Deadline: Opens Monday, November 18, 2002; closes
at 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2003
Position
Overview
The Director of
Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
reports to the City Librarian and is a member of
the Library Leadership Team. The Director of
Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
provides leadership to ensure that the best
possible library resources and services are being
provided to the state's blind, deaf-blind, visually
impaired, physically disabled, and learning
disabled communities. The Director also plays a key
role in system-wide strategic planning and directs
the activities of approximately 22 staff and
approximately 400 community volunteers.
The Washington
Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) is part
of the National Library Service for the Blind &
Physically Handicapped (NLS) network of the Library
of Congress. NLS provides books and materials in
cassette and braille formats and subsidizes free
mailings, while the State of Washington provides
operating costs through a biennial appropriation.
The Washington State Library contracts with the
Seattle Public Library to administer and deliver a
number of services.
With an annual
operating budget of approximately $1.3 million,
WTBBL circulates braille, cassette, large print
books and materials. Over 11,000 patrons receive
more than one-half million books each year. The
braille and taping service transcribes materials
for users. Staff provides library information and
reference services to patrons in-person and by
phone and WTBBL provides on-line access to its
collection. The Radio Reading Service broadcasts
newspapers, regional materials and information of
interest to print disabled listeners. WTBBL is a
community leader in making adaptive equipment
available to its patrons.
WTBBL operates as a
division of the Seattle Public Library. The
Division has strong ties and working relationships
with community volunteer organizations at local and
regional levels and with federal, state and local
funding agencies. WTBBL develops independent
philanthropic support to augment
appropriations.
Essential duties
and functions
Library
administration. Oversee the development and
expenditure of operating budgets and resources.
Allocate resources. Coordinate budgets,
expenditures and resources with multiple federal,
state and local reporting requirements and
appropriation cycles. Plan for and implement the
enhancement of WTBBL services through philanthropic
endeavors. Conduct studies and reports and oversee
general administrative functions for the Division.
Ensure compliance with laws and regulations
relating to library services and to WTTBL's
constituent users.
Service
development. Set goals and standards for WTBBL
services. Evaluate services, programs, collections,
materials, and technologies and lead the
development of improvement, new services and new
service delivery methods. Analyze user service and
WTBBL resource needs. Develop goals and objectives
to meet those needs.
Outreach.
Lead outreach to government and volunteer
organizations representing WTBBL users and
potential users. Represent WTBBL to community
groups, government agencies and funding sources.
Ensure the effective flow of information to and
from constituents. Develop effective partnerships
and collaborative working relationships with
government and community groups. Evaluate and
represent the needs of users to the Library
administration and to sources of service
support.
Legislative
relations. Represent WTBBL to the Washington
State Library and to legislative and regulatory
interests that affect WTBBL appropriations and
other resources and support. Develop effective
communications with user groups and the public.
Ensure compliance with laws and regulations
regarding public sector relationships with
legislative and regulatory processes.
Staff and
volunteer administration. Oversee the
selection, training, development, evaluation,
motivation and recognition of library staff.
Oversee performance management and discipline.
Administer the Library's labor agreement. Oversee
the development, training, motivation and
recognition of approximately 400 volunteers who
assist with the delivery of services.
Policies and
planning. Contribute to the development of
Library policies and procedures and oversee the
effective implementation of Library policies.
Represent those policies to the staff, public and
user groups. Assist the City Librarian with
long-range and short-term strategic planning for
the Library. Leadership and values. Lead the
achievement of the Library's mission,
organizational values and goals. Chief among these
are a commitment to intellectual freedom in the
delivery of library services, collaborative and
open working relationships, team approaches to
problem solving, creativity and innovation. Assume
responsibility for how staff, the public and users
perceive the Library and for leading constructive
and positive communications. Lead by example and by
mentoring.
Qualifications
The IDEAL CANDIDATE
will be innovative, flexible, responsive,
collaborative, self-directed and committed to
intellectual freedom; an honest and open
communicator who inspires trust; and one who seeks
and sparks creative contributions from
others.
Additionally,
qualified candidates will possess:
A Master's level
degree in Library Sciences from an American
Library Association accredited library school, or
Washington State Library Board certification as a
librarian IS REQUIRED.
A minimum of
three years of relevant library management
experience of comparable size and complexity.
The three years of related experience must
demonstrate knowledge of library collections,
library service delivery technologies, service
evaluation, budget and fiscal administration, staff
supervision and administration, and knowledge of
laws, regulations and principles of library
management.
NLS, LBPH, State
Library and related experience. Demonstrated
experience working with laws and regulations,
public and private funding sources and legislative
and appropriation processes. Knowledge of and
experience with NLS funded collections and
services, or with a related organization such as
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. Experience
with a regional or sub-regional LBPH library a
definite asset.
User
expertise. Demonstrated knowledge of
collections and information resources needs,
materials and equipment needs, program needs and
emerging service issues relevant to WTBBL users and
potential users. Able to represent those issues
effectively to staff, the public, government and
legislative agencies and constituents.
Outreach
expertise. Experience developing effective
working relationships with community and government
groups, identifying unmet service needs and
potential constituent groups, and developing
effective collaborative efforts with individuals,
groups, agencies and institutions.
Communication
skills. Must have excellent written and
interpersonal communications skills, including
public speaking.
Leadership and
staff management skills. Experience should
demonstrate effective leadership in the development
of staff and in the achievement of desired
organizational goals and values. Examples of such
experience can include the implementation of new
service and service delivery methods, development
and supervision of project teams, taking action to
achieve optimal staff morale and motivation,
conflict management, experience working with
community and professional groups on issues of
intellectual freedom, etc.
Availability.
Able to work varied schedules, including evenings
and weekends, and to attend meetings and
participate in community activities throughout the
City of Seattle and the State of Washington when
needed.
How to
apply
The following
application materials are due January 10, 2003:
Cover letter describing how your qualifications and
experience meet those required for this position
Resume
SPL applications
are not required for the initial screening process
but will be required of candidates invited to
interview. Local residents may pick up a complete
application package from their nearest Seattle
Public Library. Application packets also may be
requested by calling 206-386-4121. Application
materials also are available at: http://www.spl.org/libraryjobs/forms.html
Send application
materials to:
Seattle
Public Library
Human Resources Department
800 Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98101
Posted: 15 November
2002
THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
LIBRARY PROUDLY PROMOTES DIVERSITY IN
EMPLOYMENT.
If you need
accommodation during the employment process, please
contact Human Resources.
About Seattle
Public Library
Seattle Public
Library is Seattle's center of information and
knowledge and one of the most popular and valued
public services in the city. Approximately 5.5
million materials are checked out each year and
some 90,000 people attend literary programs. The
committed and well-trained staff supports all city
residents from newborns to seniors. By providing
books, technology and other materials, the Library
works to assist personal enjoyment, vocational
success, and social and cultural growth from the
broadest possible spectrum of users.
Seattle Public
Library was founded in 1891 and includes the
Central Library, 22 branch libraries, Mobile
Services and the Washington Talking Book &
Braille Library. The City Librarian oversees a
staff of nearly 600 (455 full-time equivalents) and
a budget of about $34 million. The Library is
governed by a dedicated five-member volunteer board
of trustees that is appointed by the Mayor and
confirmed by the City Council.
This is an exciting
time for Seattle Public Library. Twenty branch
construction projects are currently under way or
imminent. Eventually 5 entirely new libraries will
be opened. Each community has played an active role
in these building projects, including involvement
in the selection of sites and architects. With
outstanding buildings, collections, technology and
programs, the Library system will continue to
encourage and express the richness of Seattle's
public, cultural and intellectual life.
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