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Job Title:        Head, Materials Management

Grade:  21MA

FLSA: Exempt

Reporting Relationships:   Reports to and works under the supervision and guidance of the Chief, Public Services and Branch Management. Contacts normally include Library administrative staff, Branch Managers and branch staffs, vendors for materials and processing, Materials Management staff from other public libraries, and the public.

Supervisory Responsibility: Collection Development Librarians, Technical Services Manager and clerical assistants as assigned.

Overall Purpose of Job:  This is advanced and highly responsible work responsible for collection management and development, acquisitions, and technical services including supervising and overseeing the selection and acquisition of traditional and emerging formats of library materials and oversight of the cataloguing and processing department. Work includes significant participation in committee and consultative activities in recommending the broad policies and operating procedures for the system, including those involved in developing vendor specifications for materials delivery, and guidelines for collection development and weeding which are implemented by branch staff to keep the collection customer-oriented and current. The responsibilities further extend to recommending the annual operating budget request for materials, oversight of these budget expenditures, and evaluation of usage patterns.

Minimum Qualifications: Possession of a Master's Degree in Library Science from an American Library Association-accredited program, and a minimum of 5 years professional librarian work experience in a public library, including at least 3 years of supervisory experience and 3 years (within last 10 years) collection development, materials management experience and/or technical services management experience.

Necessary Special Requirements:  Ability to secure certification as a Professional Public Librarian in the State of Maryland within 120 days following appointment; ability to meet re-certification requirements by completing 90 contact hours of continuing education every 5 years.

Essential Duties:  Examples are illustrative of this class of work; they are not intended to include all of the essential duties of all positions in this class.  Certain conditions, e.g. economic constraints, staffing patterns, changes in system/branch goals and objectives, etc., may necessitate changes to the duties described in this job description.

            A.    Directs Collection Development

• Makes selection decisions in accord with Board policies, administrative priorities,

the ALA Bill of Rights and the ALA Freedom to Read Statement including the interpretation of censorship and freedom of access issues.

• Reviews journals and other information sources of the publishing trade, and media, for selection information
• Develops system-wide retention/replacement guidelines and yearly purchasing schedules and priorities
• Collaborates with branches on collection development activities
• Establishes collection development practices and guidelines for recommendation to supervisor and administration
• Clarifies and reinforces respective roles of Materials Management and the branches in collection development, use, display and evaluation
• Coordinates with Virtual Services Manager on database selections
• Serves as system resource on matters related to collection development, display, and use
• Compiles and analyzes collection performance data and assesses community needs and interests to use in improving collection development, use, and in developing budget priorities
• Develops recommendations for improvements for collection development; the acquisition and processing of materials, and oversees their implementation
• Responds to and resolves customer complaints in relation to selection and display of materials according to system policies
• Track trends and research new and emerging materials formats with potential demand for customers, and make recommendations for strategic direction for each new type of format
• Identify system-wide staff learning needs related to Collections and work with the Staff Development Coordinator to ensure appropriate training is provided.
• Works with appropriate staff to use social media and marketing techniques to promote materials of interest
• Evaluates branch collections and system holdings according to AACPL goals and objectives
• Recommends capital project materials budget request
• Develops schedule for ordering of materials based on project timetable
• Oversees ordering of materials
• Integrates capital project collection development into normal workflow
• Evaluates performance of capital project collection according to established standards
• Chairs Branch Collection Committee and Reference Resources Committee and leads in informing and involving branch staff in collection development.
• Participates in system planning for collection development

            B.    Manages Acquisitions

• Oversees system materials and information resources acquisition
• Develops policies and procedures for use of Vendor Acquisition Module
• Develops efficient procedures for ordering all formats of materials
• Recommends distribution formulas for materials following established public service goals and priorities
• Monitors the progress of materials ordering
• Coordinates with Finance Department to ensure timely posting of orders
• Develops acquisitions policies and guidelines for recommendation to supervisor and administration
• Communicates and collaborates with vendors on questions of discount, delivery, stock and processing
• Coordinates workflow with Technical Services Department
• Presents ideas for modifying and improving system materials acquisitions
• Oversees capital project acquisitions
• Coordinates capital account management with Finance Department
• Coordinates with Technical Services Manager on development of vendor profiles for delivery of material according to specifications and timeframe
• Integrates capital project acquisitions into normal workflow
• Ensures that spending does not exceed budgeted allocation

            C.    Manages System's Materials Budget

• Prepares annual materials budget recommendation
• Monitors fund accounts in collaboration with Finance Department
• Recommends spending priorities

1.     Technical Services

• Oversees Technical Services Department
• Works with Technical Services Manager to develop policies and procedures for          cataloguing and processing of materials
• Develops a Processing Supplies Budget with Technical Services Manager
• Coordinates the timely delivery of materials to branches with Technical Services       Manager

            E.    Supervision

• Supervises Materials Management staff and Technical Services Manager
• Observes, trains, coaches and evaluates performance
• Collaborates with supervisor and staff in planning objectives and activities
• Schedules and facilitates department/team meetings;
• Provides, in consultation with supervisor, counsel and support to staff in acquiring resources, resolving complaints, and meeting their department and training objectives

            F.    Other Duties as Assigned

• Willingly and cooperatively performs tasks and duties which may not be specifically listed in the position description, but which are within the general occupational category and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s class of work.

            G.   Work Effectiveness Skills

• Consistently meets the standards of the work effectiveness skills required for this position.

Accountabilities:  (include, but are not limited to the following)

1. Follows established policies and objectives of the library.
2. Performs work in compliance with professional standards and the policies and procedures of the library.
3. Consults regularly with supervisor.
4. Meets development objectives as established by supervisor.
5. Maintains good working relations with branch and Headquarters staff, County agencies, and vendors.
6. Updates skills by participating in training and other learning opportunities.
7. Contributes ideas that improve materials management services, increase efficiency, and otherwise advance the development of the library system.

Working Conditions:

1. Physical Demands: Much use of video display terminals. Work involves travel to library branches, County offices, other meetings.
2. Emotional Demands: Moderate pressure related to sustained periods of high-volume activity and multiple demands.
3. Social Environment: Considerable social interaction.
4. Physical Environment: Typical office environment. Some fluctuations in building temperature related to HVAC problems can cause some periods of uncomfortable heat or cold.
5. Mental Demands: This is advanced and highly responsible professional and managerial work requiring sophisticated reasoning and independent judgment. Work is performed with minimal direct supervision and allows for significant discretion and variance in work routine.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Considerable knowledge of modern principles and techniques of library science and management.
2. Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of materials selection, technical services and administrative management, and the ability to interpret same to staff and the public.
3. Thorough knowledge of reader interests characteristic of the library's service area.
4. Thorough knowledge of all aspects of the publishing and material distribution trades, and of sources and tools in all formats offering assistance in the selection of appropriate materials.
5. Familiarity with new applications of technology related to the book and information marketplaces, public library resources, materials acquisition and budget control, and office support functions.
6. Ability to organize, plan, and execute work and to set and reach goals with limited direct supervision.
7. Knowledge and skills necessary to supervise, guide, evaluate, train and communicate with Materials Management and Technical Services staff.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with supervisor, library staff, vendors, and other contacts encountered in carrying out the responsibilities of the position.
9. Ability to work effectively and calmly under pressure.
10. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively and to make presentations to groups.
11. Knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively as part of a team toward achievement of common goals and objectives.
12. Skills and abilities necessary to provide leadership to the library in the area of materials management.
13. Ability to act as a representative of Anne Arundel County Public Library to the public.
14. Ability to assess community needs and develop, plan, implement, and execute library materials selection and processing initiatives to meet those needs;
15. Ability to review, evaluate, and initiate appropriate action on technical reports, contracts, and documents concerning departmental matters;

AACPL employees work in a diverse environment and are expected to demonstrate respect for and relate to co-workers and customers from many different backgrounds and cultures. The Anne Arundel County Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is the Library's policy to treat all applicants and employees equally without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, or disability.

Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted no later than September 5, 2014.  Interviews will be scheduled during the week of September 15, 2014.   Target start date is October 6, 2014.

Necessary Special Requirement: Ability to secure certification as a Professional Public Librarian in the State of Maryland within 120 days following appointment; ability to meet re-certification requirements by completing 90 contact hours of continuing education every 5 years.

humanresources@aacpl.net

Send cover letter, resume and completed AACPL Employment Application Form to Ms. Terry Bowen at humanresources@aacpl.net.  To download the AACPL employment application form (Library Information/ Job &Volunteer Opportunities) visit our website at http://www.aacpl.net.  All required application materials must be received no later than August 25, 2014.