Library Neighborhood Services Manager

We are looking for a compassionate, courageous, and creative leader to manage a region of libraries in the Tacoma Public Library system.

In addition to managing library staff, you will plan, organize, and implement library programs, services, and initiatives in order to meet community needs. The ideal candidate has demonstrated success practicing and leading others in understanding racial equity and social justice, teaching concepts, facilitating discussions, co‑creating programs, and implementing work practices.

• Oversee library services at assigned branches ensuring all communities have access to high‑quality library resources, services, and programs, with an emphasis on radically welcoming patron service
• Lead assigned staff with your mind and heart so that employees feel valued and are able to bring their best selves to work every day; show care and respect; be consistent, fair and equitable; inspire; give autonomy and trust; bring joy; and communicate effectively
• Center racial equity in programs, services and decisions
• Foster a workplace culture that understands, values and practices racial equity
• Conduct outreach and develop partnerships with community organizations and a diverse range of library users
• Contribute to the development and implementation of work plans based on Tacoma Public Library’s Strategic Plan
• Assign work to staff and ensure employees are focused on achieving desired outcomes; measure goal progress, outcomes, and impacts

• Bachelor’s degree in Library or Information Science, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration or related field, Master’s degree preferred
• Three years of related experience including one year in a leadership role
• Experience developing, planning, and presenting activities, programs and outreach to children, teens and/or adults
• Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends in urban public libraries

Frequent travel to library branches and community organizations within the Puget Sound region, a valid Washington State Driver’s License or equivalent mobility is required.

American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies or Master’s in Library Science and Washington State Librarian’s Certification. Fluency in more than one language.

• Broad, general knowledge of materials, authors, and resources in a variety of subject areas
• Strong commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage
• Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs that meet community needs
• Use data and information in a clear and rational process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form conclusions, and make sound decisions
• Maintains a working knowledge of trends in librarianship, through webinars, internal training, meetings, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships
• Creates and sustains an organizational culture that encourages others to provide high quality service and high performance
• Open to change and new information, adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, unexpected obstacles, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear
• Builds partnerships with local organizations to meet the needs of community users
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking, and presentation skills
• Successfully demonstrates ability to work as part of a team
• Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to balance multiple projects or priorities simultaneously
• Strong computer and technology skills, including an integrated library system (ILS), MS Office suite, cloud applications, PCs, Macs and mobile devices
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer services including online searching, social media, reference resources and databases

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…