Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services Associate Director

Plans, organizes, and manages the activities of the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services Department; ensures that new materials are added to the library's collection in an accurate and timely manner; performs a variety of technical and supervisory support tasks relative to the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services Department.

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Receives general direction from the Assistant Library Director.
• Exercises direct supervision over department staff and volunteers.  In the absence of upper level management, may serve as acting Library Director.

Essential and Marginal Functions

Essential and marginal functions and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

Essential Functions:

• Assigns duties and follows up to insure completion; prepares schedules for departmental staff; hires, trains, and supervises all departmental staff and volunteers; performs regular staff evaluations, both written formal and informal; approves time sheets; trains new staff in departmental procedures and resources.
• Prepares reports and develops recommendations for upper management concerning all aspects of the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services Department, including staffing assessment; recommends corrective action to resolve conflicts/problems.
• Monitors departmental budgets; approves departmental purchasing.
• Catalogs and classifies library materials, utilizing latest cataloging rules, classification schemes, subject heading lists, national cataloging standards and OCLC protocols, in an automated setting.
• Resolves problems with invoices or vendors which Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services staff can't resolve.
• Maintains collection statistics for all branches and produce annual statistical report.
• Interprets and resolves personnel and other library policies with Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services staff.
• Specifies and purchases equipment and software required by Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services Department.
• Establishes and maintains vendor relations, including negotiating services and prices.
• Works with other members of the Management Team to plan library services, devise and monitor library budget, and evaluate best ways to meet library customer needs.
• Serves as Acting Library Director, as assigned, in the absence of upper level management.
• Attends staff, departmental, library, and district-wide meetings; may participate in committee service and special events.

Marginal Functions:

• Orders and maintains required Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services Department supplies; reviews and authorizes invoices for supplies.
• Selects and purchases library materials, as assigned.
• Participates in professional associations and activities; reads and reviews professional journals and publications; reviews current information and trends in public library cataloging, classification, and technical services management.
• Promotes library services and programs.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and procedures of public library cataloging and classification activities in an automated library environment.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of supervision, training, and personnel management.
• Equipment and cataloging protocols associated with participation in the local cooperative computer network and OCLC.
• Modern office methods, practices and procedures including PC usage and basic familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet and other personal computer applications.

Skill in:

• Keyboarding at a level necessary for successful job performance.
• PC productivity applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation and databases.

Ability to:

• Organize, direct, and implement all activities of a medium-sized public library technical services department, including cataloging, classification, library materials procurement, processing, and inventory control.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff, both paid and volunteer.
• Perform administrative and supervisory work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Assist in preparing and administering a budget.
• Analyze tasks and devise efficient methods of operation.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Review pre-cataloged materials for accuracy and conformance with cooperative system and OCLC standards.
• Make sound decisions based on research and analysis.
• Select assigned library materials for the library system.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including vendors.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Work a varied schedule, which may change periodically, including evenings and weekends; may work in other departments or libraries as needed.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Normal physical activity includes sitting for extended periods, standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, and pushing/pulling up to 75 pounds, upon occasion.
• Keyboarding and working at a computer monitor for extended periods required.
• Extended periods of standing may be required when working at a public service desk.
• Phone usage, reading, speaking, and listening required.
• Interaction with library users and vendors may include stressful situations related to resolving situations or problems.